EXECUTIVE
Board President
Anita Mires
Executive & Leadership Coach, Anita Mires & Associates, Inc.
Anita Mires is a business development consultant based in Seattle. Her experience includes leading the strategic partnership activities for Adobe, overseeing business development activities across all of Adobe’s main businesses including Creative Cloud, Document Cloud and Marketing Cloud. Throughout her career, she has held a variety of leadership and individual contributor positions in Management, Sales, Marketing, Software Development, Project Management, Training, Analysis and Quality Assurance.
Secretary
Janessa M. Graves, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine
Dr. Janessa M. Graves serves as core faculty within the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center at the University of Washington. She is a health services researcher whose work focuses on collaborating with communities to identify and address factors associated with to inequitable access to healthcare services among rural populations, underrepresented communities, and injured workers. She has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications in medical and public health journals and currently serves on the board of the Washington Rural Health Association and on editorial boards for several journals.
Treasurer
Marlayna Geary, CPA, MAcc, DP&C, P.C.
Marlayna Geary began her career in 2013 as a manager at DP&C, one of the oldest CPA firms in the South Sound area. There she currently specializes in the nonprofit industry, working with clients for both audit and assurance needs as well as focusing on their tax exempt returns. Marlayna has active and ongoing experience in a large variety of industries that include healthcare, real estate, manufacturing and cooperative utilities in addition to working on the tax side for individuals, trusts and small companies and their tax needs. While her firm is located in Tacoma, Marlayna currently works 100% remotely from Spokane and resides there with her husband and their two young sons. She is a member of the WSPCA and AICPA with a specific membership in the nonprofit industry for both, which allows her to stay ahead on current and upcoming changes within the industry.
Past President
Steve Burgon, JDAttorney, Ogden Murphy Wallace, PLLC
Steve Burgon is a member of the healthcare practice team at Ogden Murphy Wallace, PLLC in Seattle. For 25 years, Steve has worked with nonprofit and charitable organizations committed to furthering education and healthcare services within the community. Steve is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association, the health law section of the American Bar Association, and the Washington State Society of Healthcare Attorneys. Steve currently serves on the Board of Directors of Qualis Health in Seattle, and as an adjunct health law professor at the Seattle University School of Law.
DIRECTORS
Jenny Arnold, PharmD, BCPS
Washington State Pharmacy Association
Dr. Jenny Arnold is the CEO of the Washington State Pharmacy Association, where she has worked since 2009. Jenny received her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Washington School of Pharmacy in 2006 and completed her Pharmacy Practice Residency the next year at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, WA. Dr. Arnold works to advance the practice of pharmacy in Washington through advocacy, education and connections between the profession. Dr. Arnold is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist, and is a Clinical Assistant Professor with the University of Washington School of Pharmacy and Clinical Affiliate with Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Melanie Asher, MBA
OMICLE | VP of Growth Marketing / Branding Consultant
Melanie Asher, MBA is the founder and fractional CMO based in Olympia, WA. Her experience includes brand messaging, strategy development and execution, and operational efficiency. As a Fractional CMO and Founder of Omicle LLC, she is a powerful, sought-after speaker, and international author of three books on culture-driven brands, and her clients have been featured in national magazines and won national awards. In her free time, she loves going on adventures with her son, hiking, cooking, and pursuing various art projects
Aneet Bains
High School Teacher
Aneet Bains is a current high school English teacher in Woodinville. In addition to her standard teaching responsibilities, Aneet advises the Speech and Debate team, and has been advising the team for 5 years. After attending the University of Arizona and earning a degree in Broadcast Journalism/Creative Writing, she decided to pursue graduate school. She obtained an MA in Language, Reading, and Culture (emphasis on adolescent literacy), as well as an M.Ed in Teaching and Teacher Education. Prior to teaching in Woodinville, Aneet taught high school English for 3 years in Tucson, Arizona.
Mark Martzen, PhD, CIP
Professor, Bastyr University, School Of Natural Health and Sciences
Dr. Mark Martzen serves as the Chair of the Basic Sciences Department, Director of the Center for Student Research at Bastyr University, and as a professor at the Bastyr University Research Institute. He has an extensive research career, and is involved in overseeing the research activities of students and faculty at the university.
Faith Njeri, CNA
Consulting Manager – FNS Consulting LLC
Faith Njeri is Consulting Manager and Owner of FNS Consulting, a private firm dedicated to ensuring quality healthcare delivery, enactment of best care and safety practices, and regulatory compliance in various healthcare contexts. She holds a B.S. in Food Science & Nutrition from the University of Idaho, and is a licensed CNA. Her primary focus is improvement of geriatric and dementia care for in-home settings. She also serves as manager and/or nutritional director for several licensed Adult Family Home facilities in the Spokane area.
Mary Selecky
Former Secretary of Health, Retired
Mary worked at Trico Economic development District (now called TEDD) and Northeast Tri County Health District. She served as Washington State Secretary of Health from 1998 until April, 2013. As one of the nation’s longest serving Secretaries of Health, she served three Governors –Locke, Gregoire and Inslee. When she was in Olympia, Mary always looked out for public health, rural hospitals and rural providers as decisions were made regarding health care and anything having to do with the local communities and local government. She is on the Board for Providence Health Care for Spokane and Stevens counties and the Washington/Montana Regional Board. She also serves on the Empire Health Foundation Board. She is involved in a number of national organizations but her greatest attention is given to our local communities, including the Colville Rotary Club and the American Association of University Women.
Stacy Tarango, MD
Spokane Emergency Physicians, Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital
Dr. Stacy Tarango, is a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane. Originally from Southern California, she studied politics at Pomona College prior to attending medical school at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Tarango completed her pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland, and fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, and playing tour-guide to Californians visiting beautiful Spokane.
Captain Joseph Wubbold III
U.S. Coast Guard, Retired.
Captain Joe Wubbold is retired from the U.S. Coast Guard, having served on active duty for 34 years. He commanded Cutters all over the world, including a polar icebreaker in the Antarctic and the Great Lakes. He holds a Master’s degree from the University of Cambridge, and remains active in the Polar community. His interests in serving on this board are in particular the work to keep safe our children, the messengers we send forward when we have crossed our own bar. As he has 18 grandchildren, the work of Mr. Yuk and all thereunto pertaining is of particular importance.
Biruk Yitbarek, M.C.S, BEng
Microsoft Corporation
Biruk Yitbarek, is a Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft. Originally from Ethiopia, he studied Electrical and Computer Engineering at Addis Ababa University prior to attending master’s in computer science at Maharishi International University of Iowa. Mr. Yitbarek has lived in Washington State for 15 years with 12 plus years of software engineering experience at Microsoft and is passionate about social awareness and diversity, inclusion, and racial equity. In his free time, he enjoys long distance running, hiking, watching soccer and playing tour-guide to friends and family visiting beautiful Washington State.
Tammy York, MHA, BSN, CPN
Director Ambulatory System and Operations, Seattle Children’s Hospital
Tammy York joined Seattle Children’s Hospital in 2009 to continue an over 20 year nursing career around the country in NICU, PICU, Public Health and OB/GYN. She currently oversees the ambulatory systems and operations. She has held various leadership positions across the organization. Tammy received her Masters of Health Administration from the University of Washington School of Public Health in 2017. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, hiking and traveling.
NON-VOTING EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
Scott Phillips, MD FACP FACMT FAACT
Executive Director/Medical Director, Washington Poison Center
Board certified in both Internal Medicine and Medical Toxicology, Dr. Scott Phillips was the Associate Medical Director and is now the Executive Director/Medical Director of the Washington Poison Center. Dr. Phillips maintains an active practice in Washington where he was born and raised. As a fellow of the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the American College of Medical Toxicology. Dr. Phillips is dedicated to ongoing education and teaching. Focusing on environmental toxicology and health risk assessment, Dr. Phillips has authored over 200 articles, chapters and abstracts as well as several textbooks on medical toxicology.
Sasha Kaiser, MD
Associate Medical Director, Washington Poison Center
Dr. Sasha Kaiser is originally from Camano Island, Washington. She completed an Emergency Medicine residency at Denver Health and Medical Toxicology fellowship at Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety. Days off are spent hiking, running and pursuing the perfect playground with her kids.
Katie Von Derau, RN, CPN
Managing Director, Washington Poison Center
Katie Von Derau is the Managing Director of the Washington Poison Center. Since 1998, she has provided guidance and support to the Washington Poison Center’s multi-disciplinary team of pharmacists, nurses, and poison specialists. She works closely with Medical Toxicologists and participates in the Washington Poison Center’s Quality Improvement Program, as well as professional and public health education programs. Since 2004, Katie has been responsible for managing IT infrastructure, maintaining toxiCALL™ electronic medical records database, and providing and analyzing data. She is a recognized expert in the understanding and use of toxiCALL™.
NON-VOTING MEMBERS AT LARGE
EMERITUS MEMBER
Scott Hogan
Scott Hogan worked 28 years for the Washington State Department of Health, in the Office of Community Health Services, retiring in 2016. There he worked with many dedicated people across the state, both in government and citizen volunteers, to help establish the state’s emergency medical services and trauma care system. He helped create standards and policies, did system planning and review, quality improvement and managed the EMS for Children program. In the mid 1990’s Scott was closely involved in the consolidation of the state’s four poison centers into the current Washington Poison Center.
Jennifer Landacre, MPA
Washington State Department of Health
Jennifer Landacre is the Deputy Director of the Office of Community Health Systems for the Dept of Health. Jennifer is originally from Princeton, New Jersey where she worked as a dental assistant and medical office manager. After moving to Washington State, her career focus shifted to dental administration and later to health insurance claims management. Jennifer holds a Master’s degree from Washington State University with a focus in health policy and public service, and joined the State Department of Health in 2019. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her children, and walking her beloved Boxer dogs.