Staff
Edsel Blanche (he/him)
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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Max Forman (he/him)
Food Access Coordinator
Max Forman (he/him) is a recent graduate of the University of Washington with degrees in Geography and Marine Biology. He is now the Food Access Coordinator at FamilyWorks. Max is passionate about food and environmental equity, and in his spare time you can find him taking long walks, practicing comedy, and learning about plants. He is beyond excited to be joining the FWx team!
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Kat Johnson (she/her)
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 (he/him)
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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Gladys Martinez (she/her)
Youth & 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 (he/him)
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 (he/him)
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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Danielle New (she/her)
Annual Giving Manager
Bio coming soon!
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Anisa Nun (she/her)
Community Connector & Family Programs Coordinator
Anisa is one of our Community Connectors and 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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Jessie Page (she/her)
Mobile Food Pantry Coordinator
Hello all! My name is Jessie and I am the new Mobile Food Pantry Coordinator at FamilyWorks. I am thrilled to join this wonderful team and community and learn more about food bank operations. I grew up in the Seattle area and, after high school, went to the University of Washington to study Environmental Science. Since graduating, I have spent the last few years in Washington and Utah working on small farms, leading youth programs at community gardens, and working at environmental non-profits. I am very interested in learning more about food systems and public health and my career goal is to be a part of my community's efforts to build a more equitable and sustainable food system. Outside of work, I am usually biking, baking cookies, or building something out of scrap wood!
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Tobey Solomon-Auger (she/her)
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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Theresa Williams (she/her)
Office Manager
Theresa comes to FamilyWorks with over 12 years of experience administrating services to communities throughout the West Coast through The Salvation Army, a non-profit organization. She has always had a passion, and a heart to support the individuals, families & community in which she resides. So, after taking a break to give birth to a beautiful baby boy, she is extremely excited to join the FamilyWorks teams as a support to the dedicated staff making a difference in the lives of so many, as well as get to know the participants, volunteers & donors.
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Marcia Wright-Soika (she/her)
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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