Staff

Emily Yim, Executive Director

Ms. Yim joined WABS from the City of Lynnwood, where she served as founding Director of the Department of Neighborhoods and Community Affairs from mid-2007. Previously, she was Vice President for Community and External Affairs at Washington Mutual Bank, helping to oversee a $29M annual budget. Ms. Yim is also the Chair of the Edmonds Community College Board of Trustees, and sits on the Education and Communications and Pacific Region Awards and Nominations Committees of the of the Association for Community College Trustees. She is a former Board Member of the International District Housing Alliance in Seattle, United Way of Snohomish County, and the Community Services Advisory Council for Snohomish County. She earned a B.A. in International Studies and Political Science from the University of Washington in 2000.

Barbara Gurley, Project Director/Evaluator

Ms. Gurley has 25 years experience conducting outcome evaluation, planning and implementing new programs, managing projects, and grant writing. She has written and received over $3M in grants, been a consultant for evaluation firms and with her own business, and managed a variety of innovative community health, social service and education projects. Ms. Gurley holds an MHA and BA from Clark University.

Lois Harless, Program Manager

Ms. Harless currently manages the bookkeeping for WABS as well as the Boeing After School Math & Science Program. She comes to WABS from many years at Washington Mutual where she was a Vice President in Community & External Affairs. She has served on the board of nonprofit organizations and assisted with several fundraising events. She has been a reading tutor, and periodically volunteers her time with nonprofit human services organizations.

Natasha MacDonald, Director of Operations & Strategic Initiatives

Ms. MacDonald brings over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and education sectors where she has worked in a variety of capacities. Prior to joining WABS, Natasha served as the Executive Director for TechStart Education Foundation, a Portland nonprofit focused on increasing student access to STEM activities in the classroom and after school. She was previously a technology director at a high school where she managed strategic technology initiatives, including building the school’s network architecture, and providing support for teacher training and curriculum integration. Ms. MacDonald is committed to working with schools to improve educational outcomes for all students. She holds an MBA from the University of Oregon and a BFA from Emerson College.

Karen Stevens, Project Director

Ms. Stevens has over 20 years experience in education as a teacher, reading specialist, staff developer, assessment specialist, and project director. She is especially talented at helping schools in improvement, receiving the Washington State Promising Practice Educator of the Year Award. She currently manages two 21st Century Grants, one with five Kent Elementary Schools and one with three Kent Middle Schools. Ms. Stevens manages a staff of over 70 throughout the year to execute the 21st Century Program. Ms. Stevens holds a Bachelor of Science, Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A & M University and a Masters Degree, Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University.