Staff
Joey Ashenbrenner
Director of Development & Communications
Joey comes to FamilyWorks with over 11 years of service in Seattle’s non-profit community. Having primarily worked with youth-development organizations Joey has experience in both program development and fundraising. He has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Washington and in 2011 he completed his MBA. He is honored to be at FamilyWorks, getting to serve alongside such a dedicated staff team on behalf of such a wonderful community.
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Edsel Blanche
Family Resource Center Manager
Edsel is a first generation, Filipino-American, born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He has a BA in Community Psychology and a Master's Degree in Social Work. After serving as an Americorps at WithinReach, he joined us as a Family Programs Coordinator, and then transitioned to the Family Resource Center Manager. He is excited to bring his passion, lived experience, and education to empower and advocate for families.
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Tobey Solomon-Auger
Food Bank Manager
After receiving her BA in International Relations from Tufts University, and travelling abroad to study food security in Malawi, India and Italy, Tobey knew she wanted to work towards food and social justice in her own local community. She was thrilled to discover FamilyWorks after moving out to Seattle in 2019 and worked for a year as a Food Bank Coordinator & Driver. Inspired by the FamilyWorks community, Tobey is excited to take on the role of Food Bank Manager and continue to foster a community-centered, justice-driven, and joy-filled space.
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Kat Johnson
Volunteer Coordinator
Kat is originally from London, England and moved to San Francisco in 2008 and then to Seattle in 2016. Originally trained as a research scientist, Kat decided to ditch the lab coat and microscope after discovering her passion for creating community. She found FamilyWorks while looking for a play group, read the mission statement and got hooked! She loves being part of an organization that has a direct impact every day and is full of so many committed, passionate people: staff and volunteers.
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Kirby Lochner
Communications Coordinator
Kirby was born and raised in Encinitas, CA. After graduating from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA in 2014 with a BA in History, he moved to Seattle to work at a non-profit and play music with the band, Versing.
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Elsie Martinez, BSW
Family Programs Coordinator
Elsie came to FamilyWorks as an intern through the University of Washington BASW Program and was hired on as a Family Programs Coordinator soon after graduation. She is a first generation Latina and is fluent in Spanish. She currently holds an Advanced Standing BSW degree and plans to pursue her MSW. Her ultimate goal is to attend law school and use her social work background to challenge oppressive systems and barriers.
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Gladys Martinez
Teen Parent & Family Programs Coordinator
Gladys was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and moved to Seattle in 2004. She served with AmeriCorps from 2004-2006 as a Legal Advocate for Domestic Violence. She is the mother of three multi-talented teenage boys. She enjoys working with teen parents and having the opportunity to make a difference in their lives.
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Pete Metzelfeld
Food Bank Coordinator
A long time food bank volunteer, Pete finally joined staff in 2016 to help out with our ever growing schedule of food deliveries and pickups. He’s since transitioned from driver to the Food Bank Coordinator role. He’s a great guy and loves the Green Bay Packers!
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James Moody
Food Bank Coordinator
James has a passion for hunger relief work. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and was a former Manager of Food Lifeline’s Seattle’s Table Program (A perishable food rescue program). He is a former Seattle Firefighter and more recently worked for a cruise line for eight years before deciding to return to community service work.
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Anisa Nun
Family Programs Coordinator
Anisa is one of our Family Programs Coordinators. She is originally from Somalia, and also speaks three languages: Somali, English, and Italian (and casual Spanish!). After several years as a volunteer and participant at FamilyWorks, she is excited to continue her passion for helping families and community as a FamilyWorks staff member. In her spare time, she loves volunteering and spending time with her kids outdoors.
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Jesse Shandrowski
Food Bank Driver
Jesse has been a part of the FamilyWorks community for many years! He began as a volunteer, then transitioned to a Food Bank Coordinator position for 4-5 years. He took a sabbatical for a year to travel, and began volunteering again upon his return to the States. When we needed a driver, Jesse stepped up and has been driving for us ever since!
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Marcia Wright-Soika
Executive Director
Marcia Wright-Soika joined FamilyWorks in July 2020. She stepped into the nonprofit sector after being inspired by the strength, resilience, and need of the local communities she covered as a journalist in Pennsylvania. In her most recent role as Director of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships for Mercy Housing Northwest, she helped to lead the strategy that launched a new community resource center in South Seattle, inspired in part by the holistic family services offered at FamilyWorks. Marcia is honored and thrilled to join FamilyWorks, and is looking forward to connecting with the volunteers, donors, and participants that form our rich and vibrant community.
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