Staff – Business Impact NW

Leadership

Operations

Lending

External Affairs

Accounting

Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance - AWBC

Technical Assistance - FBRC

Technical Assistance - LRC

Technical Assistance - MBDA

Technical Assistance - Alaska VBOC

Technical Assistance - Northwest VBOC

Technical Assistance - WWBC

Joe Sky-Tucker has over twenty five years’ experience working in the nonprofit world in a variety of positions and organizations including direct experience working with at risk youth and families in crisis, fund development, and strategic planning. He has worked with “at-risk” youth in mental health settings including working with foster care youth, children in locked psychiatric settings, and group homes. Further he has worked to ensure hardworking families have access to safe, fair, and affordable financial services.

Currently he works as the President and CEO of Business Impact NW, an asset building/community lender that specializes in supporting small and micro-businesses; helping them to achieve financial stability through technical assistance and lending services. Joe Sky-Tucker has a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Washington. He lives in Seattle with his family.

Danielle Moser is the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at Business Impact NW, and is responsible for the oversight and ensuring of proper operations of the organization. Prior, Danielle served within the Development & Communications Department as the Director of Development & Communications, responsible for fundraising, brand, and marketing. Danielle worked under contract with Business Impact NW beginning December, 2016 and was hired on as a full-time staff member as of April, 2017. Prior to joining Business Impact NW, Ms. Moser served as Development Officer for ArtsWest after serving on their Board of Directors, and as a high school English and History teacher before joining the nonprofit fundraising world. She brings a wide array of skills to her position derived from past experiences. Ms. Moser completed her Masters in Teaching degree from Seattle University, and her Bachelors Degree from Boston University.

Domonique’s bachelor’s degree in economics, entrepreneurship-focused MBA, and her fifteen years of experience working within the small business community produce a solid, balanced foundation of academic knowledge and practical experience. Domonique has been with Business Impact NW since 2014 and has worked as a business coach and trainer, a program leader, and today the Chief Program Officer.

As the Chief Program Officer, Domonique leads the team of business coaches, advisors, trainers, and directors in delivering quality training and advising to diverse small business owners across four states. Growing businesses are Domonique’s passion, and the dedicated team at Business Impact NW is proud to have helped hundreds of businesses launch, grow, and positively impact their communities.

Greta Stough has a passion for sharing the work we do here in compelling ways. Prior to joining Business Impact NW, Greta operated her own consulting business, The Cabra Group, for over a decade, focusing on nonprofit development, community planning, grants and fundraising. Prior to that she was the Director of Development for the Suquamish Tribe. She has an undergraduate degree from Oberlin College. She did graduate work in Planning at NYU, living for five years in Brooklyn and enjoying diverse food, culture, and music. Greta enjoys hiking, cooking for her family, classic film, and playing with her English Cocker Spaniel, Scooter.

Victor was the Business Banking Center Manager at KeyBank Beaverton. Victor brings nearly 20 years of banking experience, a passion for small business, and community activism. He is President of the Hispanic-Latino Key Business Impact networking group and a graduate of Business & HR Management from Portland State University. Victor has personally done more than $5 million in commercial lending each year, plus much more with his teams. Son of Armenian & Argentinian immigrants, Victor is inspired by his family, community, and the opportunity with Business Impact NW to promote the economic development of marginalized communities.

Rick Leibowitz has over 12 years of experience supporting small businesses as Director of Small Business Development Centers hosted by educational institutions in six different States. In the private sector, he has served on the executive teams in the food manufacturing, hospitality, and professional services industries. He has also started and operated 4 retail/wholesale bagel bakeries in NJ, Pennsylvania, and Alaska. Currently, he works as a CFO of Business Impact NW, working with the finance team to help support organizational decision-making with timely and accurate information. Rick received his MBA from Western Governor’s University and his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University. He enjoys playing ice hockey, hiking the beautiful trails available in Oregon and cooking great meals

Ashley has worked for Business Impact NW across multiple administrative and operations positions prior to landing and growing with Human Resources. Before moving to Seattle, she started her career in San Francisco working hands-on in salons and the beauty industry, ultimately finding her niche in salon management and small business operations. This led to experience in a variety of fields including insurance, private post-secondary education, accounting, specialty retail and the non-profit sector. She became a mom in 2020 and in her non-work time can be found enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest, experimenting in the kitchen and trying to make her daughter laugh.

Kathleen (She/Her/Hers) is the Executive Administrator for Business Impact NW. She joined staff in 2022 and prior to this role, Kathleen has been part of non-profit work since 2021 for a woman-owned organization as a Virtual Assistant. Her previous industry experience had been in tech, specifically aerospace & defense. She graduated from Washington State University with a B.A. in Social Science.

Outside of Business Impact NW, Kathleen enjoys spending family time with her preschooler exploring nature, finding new bubble tea spots, and dancing.

Roland Chaiton is a Sr. VP/Loan Officer with Seattle Economic Development Fund (SEDF) dba Business Impact NW. He has over 22 years of financial services experience through two CDFI’s, Business Impact NW—Washington State’s 2nd largest CDFI and before that, Snohomish County Private Industry Council (SnoPIC)—WA State’s 3rd largest CDFI, at that time. In 2011, Roland was selected by SBA as their Financial Services Champion for WA State and for SBA’s Region 10 (WA, OR, ID, AK). Besides doing Small Business and SBA7a lending, Roland has done successful grant writing for both SEDF and SnoPIC. He has also been instrumental in helping numerous SEDF clients achieve award winning results through the financial packages and counsel he has provided to them. Awards winners have included (but are not limited to) the Seattle Mayor’s best small business of the year award-2004 (two clients); King County Executive’s Best Green/Sustainable Business of the Year-2011; SBA’s Best Small Business Owner of the Year for WA-2013, and as a National finalist for SBA-2014.

Small businesses and other organizations throughout Alaska may already be very well acquainted with Theo, formerly with Evergreen Business Capital. While there, Theo served as the company’s Programs Loan Officer, where he educated small businesses on the benefits of SBA’s Community Advantage Program and helped numerous entrepreneurs receive the necessary funding to start or grow their businesses. Theo also specialized in SBA’s 504 participation loan program which is utilized to purchaser owner-occupied commercial real estate. In 2019, Theo was awarded with the SBA Alaska District Director Award for his unmatched commitment to the education and empowerment of small businesses throughout the state.

Theo is the proud dad of two lovely daughters and granddad of 4 grandchildren. Theo enjoys mentoring youth through his involvement Junior Achievement, the Alaska Military Youth Academy and Bartlett Golden Bears HS Boys Basketball Program. Theo also teaches civics to immigrants applying for US Citizenship. In his spare time, Theo enjoys motorcycling, biking and exploring the unique communities spread throughout Alaska each summer.

Christopher Stone is Loan Portfolio Manager and IT Manager at Business Impact NW. Before joining in mid-2014, his career was primarily spent in the education and non-profit fields. In addition to work with universities, school districts, preschool language programs, and the American Red Cross, he has worked with tech startups in Seattle and other technology companies. Passionate about Business Impact NW’s mission to combine financial empowerment with business education, Christopher also uses his experience as a former Peace Corps Volunteer in the Republic of Georgia to work with Business Impact NW's diverse client base. Originally from the Midwest, Christopher moved to the Seattle area in 2009 and has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in linguistics from Truman State University in Missouri.

Ngan is currently a Loan Officer at BINW. Once on a trip to visit her hometown in Vietnam, Ngan got the chance to help her uncle’s business with his financial team and started to develop an interest in the financial industry. Since then, she has familiarized herself and developed more and more interest in the financial world throughout her internship and volunteer work for non-profit organizations. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics specialization in Actuary in 2019, Ngan wanted to continue dedicating her time to helping the minorities and underserved communities and the BIN family took her in as an intern in 2020 and a full-time employee in 2021. Ngan is fluent in English and Vietnamese.

Addy Cui has been studying in the UK since 2000 and after obtaining a bachelor's degree in business and management in the UK, she joined the International Student Center of the University of Leicester as a study abroad consultant. She returned to China in 2010 and began to help her original employer develop their business, and set foot in related industries such as jewelry customization. At the same time, she helps students who are willing to study abroad to apply for schools for free and help their families get visiting visas. In 2018, Addy got her permanent residence card and immigrated to the United States.

After nearly a year of adjustment, she started her first US job as an office manager in Helzberg Diamonds. She has considerable experience in the planning of small and medium-sized enterprises, low-cost operations in market expansion, and a lot of achievements in network operations. Due to years of cross-cultural learning and management, Addy has her own unique cross-cultural management and business experience - especially in establishing integration with new immigrants and network cross-cultural communication.

Laura has worked with small business owners for over 8 years. Prior to her role at Business Impact NW, Laura served as a Loan Officer for a Texas-based CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) and was the Program Manager for a food-based business incubator at a Seattle nonprofit. She also has over 5 years’ experience as a Business Coach and Trainer.

The daughter of immigrant business owners, Laura feels especially connected to Business Impact NW’s mission of supporting underserved businesses to strengthen our local communities. Laura graduated from Seattle University with degrees in Economics and International Studies. Laura enjoys going on walks with her dog, exploring new restaurants for good food and a nice drink, spending time with family and friends, and travelling whenever possible. Laura is fluent in Spanish and English.

Having completed my MBA from India, I have over two years of experience in Banking and lending, and a year of experience in audit. Prior to joining BIN, I have also been associated with Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union for a few months. In my career so far, I have helped Non-Banking Financial Institutions and small businesses. With BIN, I get an opportunity to help those who are underserved in the community, and I love that aspect about my work. Always seeking new opportunities and with the international exposure that I have, I am looking forward to helping as many businesses as I can in the community. I am fluent in English, Hindi, and Bengali.

Stephanie has seven years of experience working with loans; she's worked for nonprofit that serviced federal student loans for the Department of Education for five years and then worked with mortgage loans for two years. Stephanie's prior roles provided her experience in processing loans from origination to repayment.

Stephanie has a bachelor’s in teaching Elementary Education and her purpose career wise has always been to be in a position to impact and give back to her community. She is a Midwesterner from St. Louis, MO and has been living in Seattle since 2020. In her free time she loves spending time outdoors hiking and paddle boarding, spending time with family and friends, and traveling as much as she can.

Todd is a Seattle native with experience in account and program management in both the profit and nonprofit landscapes. He has an undergraduate degree with a concentration in accounting, as well as a Master’s in Social Work, from the University of Washington. He is a passionate believer in social and economic justice and the power of entrepreneurship and small business to create intergenerational wealth in economically underserved communities. He is a dedicated music fan and book lover, and in his free time you can find him out at play with his three children and supporting small businesses in the greater Seattle area, especially our independent record and book stores.

Joni Marr has been in the lending business for nearly 20 years. She has spent time as a loan officer, an operations assistant and an underwriter. She has worked in both residential and commercial lending, with a passion for helping borrower’s dreams come true.

Prior to lending, she graduated from Fort Hays State University and grew up in a town of 260 people in Nebraska. Her father has been a small business owner for 40+ years and that’s where she learned the unique challenges of owning and funding a small business. In her free time, she loves running and tending to her large rose garden.

Carolina is responsible for leading the Marketing and Communications department. She has a vast professional experience in marketing, market research and consulting, working with clients and organizations across many industries and in multiple Latin American countries. She earned her B.A. in Business Administration from Universidad Austral de Chile, a Master of Finance from Universidad de Chile, and a Certificate in Marketing from UC Berkeley. Outside of work she enjoys hiking, watching documentaries and volunteering.

Faith Hamilton is the Marketing Manager at Business Impact NW, and is responsible for promoting the organization, programs, classes, and events . Prior, Faith worked with the Technical Assistance Department as the point of contact for client inquiries and areas of assistance, trainings, and services. Before joining Business Impact NW, Faith served as Administrative Supervisor for various medical and dental small businesses. She brings her love of small businesses and a wide array of skills to her position derived from past experiences. Faith completed her Bachelor’s in Tourism Management from Central Washington University.

Mirelle is responsible for managing and executing events, building community engagement, as well as designing and managing collateral and other marketing materials. Mirelle brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry where she had an opportunity to work with various non-profit organizations. Over the years, she had the opportunity to build strong professional skills in customer service, operations, catering, sales & marketing, design, events, leadership, and building relationships.

Before moving to Seattle in 2018, she owned a small Catering & Events company that specialized in authentic hand-made Brazilian pastries, sweets, and cakes in the greater Los Angeles area, giving her the opportunity to incorporate all her skills and experience with her passion for Brazilian cuisine. Mirelle has a multicultural background and speaks Portuguese, English, and some Spanish. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design – Visual Communication and a Lato Senso post-graduation Degree in Communication Studies from the Pontifical Catholic University of Parana - Brazil. Mirelle is involved in the community and has been a volunteer in the Auta De Souza group providing meals for the homeless and senior citizens who can no longer cook for themselves.

In her free time, she enjoys Pilates & Meditation, reading, camping, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Emily is from Texas and has worked in a variety of industries including construction, human resources, sports coaching, and administration. She has an undergraduate degree from Eastern Washington University and her passion for economic justice brought her to the Social Work field. She completed her Masters in Social Work from the University of Washington, with a concentration in policy and administration. She loves supporting small businesses in her community and in her free time enjoys playing volleyball, playing guitar, and listening to true crime podcasts.

Patricia was born and raised in the borderland of El Paso, Texas and began her career in retail; from there, she successfully climbed the ladder to District Manager for New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Southern Texas. To sharpen her skills, Patricia completed her bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix in 2001. Her experience and skills opened a new door into the public sector as a Program Manager for Junior Achievement of The Desert Southwest and New Mexico.

Patricia realized that work in the public sector was her calling; to provide positive results and lasting change. She decided to continue her education and received her master’s degree from Lubbock Christian University in 2013. This opened a new door to work as the Grant writer for Dona Ana County Govt, in Las Cruces, NM. She gained a ton of knowledge but also the ability to work with rural community leaders to find funding opportunities to support their needs.

Janelle is a storyteller through and through. She was raised in a family of entrepreneurs who owned and managed a series of small businesses, including a Hawaiian restaurant, a video store, and several real estate properties. Growing up in a low-income community but attending schools as a minority in affluent areas, she struggled with the inequities she faced each day. As a Bay Area native, Janelle has witnessed the rise and fall of countless startups and small businesses. She has worked for a number of nonprofits and has remained steadfast in her commitment to using her craft to support the missions of each organization, and uplift underserved communities throughout the Bay Area.

Janelle graduated with a degree in Creative Writing, specializing in screenwriting and playwriting. She worked as a copywriter for companies such as Coldwell Banker, Callisto Media, a publisher of nonfiction and self-help books, and Artslandia magazine, a premier publisher of performing arts playbills throughout the Portland metro area. In a leap of faith, Janelle moved her family to Seattle in 2021 and worked with Committee for Children, an educational nonprofit committed to supporting the well-being of children through social-emotional learning.

Quy graduated with her Bachelor Degree in Accounting and M.B.A in her home country. She had over 12 years of working in Logistics and Accounting positions before she moved to U.S. in 2015. She went back to school to finish her B.S. in Accounting at Central Washington University in 2018. She worked as Accountant in a Public Accounting firm after graduation and then was hired as Loan Accountant at Business Impact NW in 2020. Quy loves traveling to see the world and learn more different cultures.

Susan Perreault, DBA is the Vice President of Programs at Business Impact NW and is responsible for program management for the team of business coaches, trainers, and technical assistance program directors. Susan joined Business Impact NW in June 2017 and has served as Washington Women’s Business Center (WWBC) Director and WWBC business coach and trainer. Prior to joining Business Impact NW, Susan earned a Doctorate in Business Administration from University of Phoenix, and Master of Business Administration from Regis University.

Susan spent much of her career as an entrepreneur and in senior management positions in the professional beauty industry. A motivation for pursuing her doctorate was to assist others to achieve their business and entrepreneurial aspirations. In her role with Business Impact NW, Susan is honored to support the startup and growth of small businesses by providing the connections, resources, and training needed to successfully start and run a business.

Steve entered the Air Force right out of high school. During his time on active duty, he obtained his B.S. Degree in Workforce Education, Training and Development. After serving 8 years, Steve honorably separated from the military and began law school a short time later. While in law school, he did a legislative externship to assist homeless parents in Washington State and he was elected Student Bar Association Treasurer. Steve got his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law in 1999.

Upon passing the bar, Steve went into partnership with a law school classmate and then ultimately went solo. After closing the firm, Steve went to work as a counselor for incarcerated youth. He subsequently worked for some tech companies in a role of recruitment and training. Steve was the National Instructor of the Year for the Boots to Business/Boots to Business: Reboot program in 2018. Steve became the director of Business Impact NW’s Veterans Business Outreach Center program in 2019 and continues in that role fulfilling his passion of helping fellow members of the military community along their small business ownership journey.

Shelby found her passion working in the nonprofit sector in 2016. Since then she has spent time working in Portland promoting a healthy community through culturally responsive mental health and addiction services at Lifeworks NW, and then in Idaho within grant administration and oversight of homelessness assistance programs at Idaho Housing Finance Association. When Shelby found herself living in Seattle in 2019 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she sought to work for an organization who had a strong mission and impact on the community. Shelby now serves as the Grants Compliance Manager at Business Impact NW and is responsible for overseeing the reporting and compliance of government and private grants and contracts for the portfolio of programs at BIN.

During her free time, she enjoys taking her kayak out on Lake Washington, taking on home improvement projects, spending time with family in nearby Portland, and relaxing at home with her partner and two dogs, Nola and Banjo.

Adra Davis is the Executive Administrator underneath the CPO. In Adra's role, she works within and as the liaison between various projects. Adra is a Seattle native who, outside of Business Impact NW, is an entrepreneur in the entertainment industry, performing as an emcee/host, vocalist, performance coach, actress and director, and cabaret artist for over 20 years.

She is also the creator of #BlackHotSunday, putting Black-owned businesses and Black music creatives together for shows and markets, bringing Blackness to the front! Adra has previously worked with Business Impact NW as the TA Admin, Square One instructor, and as a business coach.

Amanda (She/Her) is from California and has worked in a variety of industries including education, food service, animal management and administration. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Sonoma State University and graduate degree in Social Work with a concentration in administration and policy from the University of Washington. After a stint as a practicum student with Business Impact NW, she came on as a project manager. Prior to BIN and pursuing her graduate degree she held experience in program design and implementation and was successful at coordinating a city wide after school program and several summer camps for elementary aged children.

In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors with her two dogs Dart and Maisie, writing, and learning to play the guitar.

Bo moved to Seattle in 2016 and has focused her career on working for local businesses and non-profit organizations. Working in retail management allowed her to serve her community as well as offer welcoming spaces for those in marginalized communities to work and shop. Bo is passionate about employee rights and compassionate communication. Prior to her move, Bo ran her own small business as an influencer and writer on pop culture, with a specific focus on the analysis of how popular culture affects queer people seeking their identity in a predominately heterosexual environment. Bo has been featured in the lesbian publication Curve magazine and LGBTQ+ site Autostraddle.

Bo lives with her cats Maximus and Lucy and her hermit crab Galliano. Bo enjoys researching fashion and design history, cultivating her own fashion and design style, and listening to comedy and historical podcasts. Bo is a passionate supporter of the Seattle queer community’s artists and performance spaces and is excited to be a part of a team that supports entrepreneurs in marginalized communities.

Tianie is an experienced administrator who has spent her career working in various administrative roles since 2017. Her professional journey started at VCA Bering Sea, where she primarily worked as a customer service representative at the front desk. However, she also served as a floating team member throughout the hospital in roles such as Boarding Technician and Vet Tech Assistant when necessary. Later, she worked as a front desk staff member at a local small dog training business called Alaska Dog Sports. Since then, Tianie's work experience spans over five years where she worked at a State Farm office.

As a driven and passionate individual, Tianie is thrilled to use her skills and experience to support organizations that serve underserved communities. She is excited to work with a team that helps make important resources accessible to the average citizen. In her free time, Tianie enjoys reading, attempting crocheting, and watching horror films. Tianie currently resides in Alaska with her long-time partner and their three cats - Eros, Artemis, and Jasper.

Lisa Noland is the Alaska Women’s Business Center Director. Lisa has lived in Alaska for decades after migrating from California. Lisa has a Masters of Public Administration with an emphasis in nonprofit management and leadership. She is working toward a Doctorate of Public Administration. Lisa currently serves on three nonprofit boards. Lisa has lived and/or worked in several communities around the beautiful state and now makes her home in Anchorage. She has decades of experience as a nonprofit leader, as well as years owning and managing 2 businesses. Lisa is a proven capacity builder and is highly motivated in supporting Alaskans who are developing their own businesses.

Lisa has 2 sons, and a menagerie of rescued animals at home. She loves to enjoy the outdoors, cook, read and enjoys fashion and interior styling.

Carrie Jean Shephard is a Business Coach and Trainer at the Alaska Women’s Business Center. Born and raised in Valdez, Alaska, she spent her formative years working in her family’s and friends’ small businesses. After obtaining her degrees in Business Management and Economics, she worked in the tech industry before finding her niche as an entrepreneur and business trainer. Over her 20+ years as a self-employed small business owner, Carrie Jean has focused on offering services to the public that enhance their quality of life in the beauty, travel and event planning industries.

Carrie Jean attended college in Japan and speaks Japanese and basic Mandarin Chinese. She serves on the board of the Alaska Humanities Forum and as a statewide coordinator for Techstars Alaska Startup Week. Her passion is for connecting women to resources and business education and developing a collaborative community along the way. Carrie and her husband have a 21-year-old cat and make their home in beautiful Anchorage. On any given weekend, you’ll find her exploring arts, culture, food and the outdoors with her large extended family.

Henry Wong is the Director of the Food Business Resource Center (FBRC) & Special Projects at Business Impact NW. Henry is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Systems and Information Engineering. Prior to joining the Business Impact NW team, he spent 7 years working in the Strategy group at CarMax developing and implementing inventory and buying strategies. Following his time at CarMax, he spent 3 years running his own mobile food truck business and consulting other mobile food start-ups in Tennessee. After selling his food truck, he moved to Seattle where he worked briefly with a food delivery tech startup. He did contract work for some local nonprofit organizations, including Business Impact NW, before joining the organization full-time. Having grown up around a family-owned restaurant and as a former entrepreneur, Henry understands the unique challenges that small business owners face. He also knows their advantages and the incredible value they can bring. Henry is passionate about leveraging his extensive experiences in strategy and operations to support clients in any stage of their business and strategic planning from concept to growth.

Devra Gartenstein owned and managed small food businesses for 30 years before joining the Business Impact team as King County Farm Business Support Specialist. She founded Patty Pan Cooperative, Seattle’s oldest farmers market concession, and can often be found at area markets even on her days off, shopping and schmoozing.

Devra was born and raised in Brooklyn and has lived in Seattle since 1987. She has a Masters degree in Philosophy, has published several cookbooks, and relaxes by cooking, travelling, and taking long walks.

Maya has worked in various roles in the food industry for the past decade, including culinary, marketing, grocery, wellness, and sustainability advocacy. Her passion truly extends from farm to fork, as she has also been a consistent volunteer on regenerative farms, both in Texas and the PNW. Given her extensive experience, Maya understands the unique nature of operating within the food and farm world.

Maya is also a business owner herself. After completing her Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics, she launched her private practice specializing in gut health. Maya recognizes the logistical, mental, and emotional process of starting a business from scratch and believes in the difference that personalized support can make. As part of Business Impact NW, Maya enjoys helping food and farm entrepreneurs feel empowered and find a clear path toward their goals. In her free time, Maya enjoys getting outside with her partner, catching live music, and cooking.

Janel Nonhoff is the Business Impact NW Incubator Kitchen Manager at 21 Acres Center in Woodinville, WA. She has worked in the Seattle culinary industry and has managed both large and small, scale Food and Beverage operations. She is committed to building great relationships, positive work cultures, and teaching people in our community how to be successful processors in commercial kitchen settings.

As a chef, one of the most exciting parts of the job is having direct access to the small, local, family owned and operated farms, and producers of amazing foods the wonderful Northwest has to offer. It doesn’t get any better than that! Janel has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Washington State University.

Christine has been an advisor to small businesses through her work with several Puget Sound SBA Women’s Business Centers, as well as through her private consultancy. She has owned several businesses in varied industries in Spain, California, and Washington. She has brought her hands-on knowledge to thousands of clients; from helping them build a sustainable model to dealing with day-to-day operations through individual advising, webinar presentations, class instruction, and working with partner organizations. Christine has also worked in leadership roles and advised non-profits. As a member of the Covid-19 Response Team, Christine assists clients with government loans and grants, resiliency, and reopening. She enjoys assisting clients with financial literacy, cash flow, and financial statement analysis. She is also a licensed mortgage loan originator and brings this combined knowledge and experience to assist clients with loan readiness. Her combined education in International Relations and Public Administration adds to her understanding when working with a diverse clientele and community organizations. Travel and adventure bring her joy and inspiration and she enjoys being outdoors (preferably the beach), running, and working out at the gym.

As a Loan Readiness Advisor, Leticia assists small business owners and entrepreneurs prepare for loans through individual advising, webinar presentations, class instruction, and working with partner organizations. She holds a bachelor’s in business administration and has twelve years’ experience in areas of accounting, finance, and business operations & management. She enjoys assisting clients with financial literacy, cash flow, financial statement analysis and business plan analysis. Leticia has volunteered as Latino Business Advisory Council with the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, Board of Director at Centro Cultural of Washington County, and Executive Board Member at The League of United Latin American Citizens. She enjoys the outdoors, reading and traveling.

Zia Jabari is a Loan Readiness Advisor with the Loan Readiness Center at Business Impact NW, and works one-on-one with clients including advising, lending intake support, curriculum development, curriculum delivery, and community outreach. Zia has over seventeen years’ experience working in the business world in a variety of positions including direct experience working with nonprofit organizations, international companies, and the United Nations. He enjoyed his work over the last decade working on many projects, effectively supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs by training and advising them.

Zia joined the Business Impact NW family to contribute his experience assisting clients with accessing loans and grants, resiliency, and financial health. He enjoys assisting clients with financial literacy, cash flow, and financial statement analysis. Zia has travelled to more than 20 countries in the world, because travel and adventure bring him joy and inspiration.

Gwen is an entrepreneur with experience in several industries and has been an advisor to small business owners through work with the City of Tacoma, Pierce County Chamber, Spaceworks, and her own consultancy. She has an MBA and over a decade of experience in the areas of accounting, crowdfunding, and business operations & management. Helping business owners clarify their cash flow, access funds, and create wealth and economic equity for themselves and their communities are lifelong passions for Gwen. Outside of work, Gwen enjoys being outdoors, reading, and exploring different cultures.

Kenyatta Trice is the Director of the Oregon MBDA (Minority Business Development Agency). With approximately 15 years’ experience in Human Resources and Owner/ Operator of TRICE Occupational Consulting Solutions, an agency geared toward assisting job seekers and small businesses within their careers.

Most recently working as Director of Access to Capital & Marketing, assisting small, minority owned businesses with starting, maintaining and managing their businesses through technical assistance, microloans, and community resources. In a past position as Economic Empowerment Coordinator for a local Domestic Violence Resource Center, having connections to services and resources in the community was a driving force within that role; assisting folks with barriers toward, safety and stabilization at home, in their careers, education and in entrepreneurship.

Gabrielle Joyce has an extensive background working with small businesses in Oregon and SW Washington. Before joining Business Impact NW, she worked as a Small Business Financing Advisor helping minority-owned small businesses navigate funding during the COVID-19 pandemic. And working with Xcelerate Women as a Financial Mindset and Planning Coach assisting women-owned small businesses through the growth phase.

Gabrielle received her MBA from Willamette University and her Bachelor's degree in International Business from the University of North Florida. She brings a combination of skills and experience working within the community and other programs. Gabrielle enjoys working with people and developing new connections. She loves exploring the PNW with her husband on camping trips, skiing, and discovering new foodie spots.

For the past 6 years, Claudia Cardenas has been involved in economic development for multiple industries throughout the Portland Metro, Washington County, and rural areas in the state of Oregon and SW Washington. Throughout the years, Claudia have been able to understand and identify the many challenges that minority businesses face in a day to day. Claudia understands the importance of education and having a trustful network. She wants to promote the vision of being a diverse liaison between all sectors, performing culturally specific and collaborative services, building relationships, and exchanging best practices that improve operations for business owners.

Ron "Cat" Mason is the Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Representative for Anchorage, AK, the Founder and CEO of CM&A Consulting, LLC which provides comprehensive high-quality business coaching to entrepreneurs, and a Certified SCORE Mentor. Mason is a retired United States Air Force veteran with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Technical Management, with an emphasis in sales and marketing. He also has two Associates of Science (AS) degrees in Aircrew Operations and Information Systems Technology. Mason is a Lifetime Member of the Sigma Beta Delta Honors Society, and an Honorary Commander (Emeritus) of the 732^nd Logistical Group on Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER) Alaska. He is a Lifetime Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and has been an active member - in good standing- of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and its Military Committee since 2002. Mason is a also National Federation of High School (NFHS) certified football coach, and has been coaching in the Anchorage School District since 2007.

Chris Armstrong-Goings Sr. is married with a blended family that includes five children. He served his country honorably for more than 20+ years in the United States Army. While in the Army, he was stationed throughout the world and deployed to multiple hostile environments including Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Upon retiring from the Army, he worked as an International Trainer with Northrup Grumman for three years. He is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor with one of the largest university systems in the United States working to enhance college students' understanding of decision-making, team management, and organizational behavior.

Furthermore, he is an entrepreneur who successfully operates in the real estate world. He is a lifetime member of the Disabled Americans Veteran (DAV). Chris is passionate about helping his fellow veterans become the best versions of themselves possible. Additionally, he is all about helping clients break through the obstacles, and challenges to reach their desired levels of success. Life's too short to be unhappy, unsure, or unfulfilled. It is his daily goal to be a better version of himself. Lastly, Chris has a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D), with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership.

Ms. Conaway graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arizona in 2001 with a B.A. in Political Science. She then attended law school at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia and received her J.D. in 2005. During law school Ms. Conaway served as a member of the Mercer Law Review and as a fund raising chair of Phi Alpha Delta. In her third year, Ms. Conaway’s comment, “Reversion Back to a State of Nature in the United States Southern Borderlands: A Look at Potential Causes of Action to Curb Vigilante Activity on the United States/Mexico Border,” was selected for publication. After law school, Ms. Conaway completing a two year clerkship with Judge Joseph Howard of the Arizona Court of Appeals.

Upon the completion of her clerkship in 2007, Ms. Conaway went into private practice at Burch & Cracchiolo, a preeminent Phoenix law firm. While in private practice, Ms. Conaway handled complex commercial litigation and appeals, on behalf of small businesses, large corporations, and corporate representatives. She not only assisted clients in navigating their immediate business disputes and challenges but also help them devise and implement practices, policies, and procedures to avoid future problems and drive revenue. For this work, she was recognized as a 2012, 2013, and 2014 Southwest Super Lawyers Rising Star. Ms. Conaway joined VBOC as a small business consultant in January 2015.

Jasmin Garcia is a New Jersey native with an extensive background in business management as a retail manager, sales coach, assistant store manager, sales professional and has worked in customer service relations for over 15 years. As a military spouse of 13+ years, Jasmin understands the importance of having an education and has developed the skills needed to run a business from just about anywhere. Having worked as a freelance beauty artist on her own terms, Jasmine has built clientele in Japan, Iowa, California, Texas and other states across the country. She understands the importance of small business marketing, networking, customer service, and gaining new customers while retaining current clients. Jasmin graduated on the Dean’s List from Capella University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology to further extend her skills.

Jasmin has two daughters, ages 15 and 7 with her husband of 18 years. In Jasmin’s free time she is spending time with her family exploring the beautiful outdoors of Washington, visiting museums, trying out new restaurants and traveling back home to be with family.

Jessica has been a successful business owner since 1995 and has worked across all disciplines involved in operating a small business. She possesses extensive knowledge of business concepts and a solid financial acumen. Jessica has built two restaurants and four WSDA certified food processing facilities, with full responsibility for all aspects of business operations, including strategic planning, budgeting, sales, marketing, product development, human resources, and mentoring talent. She has created and implemented training programs and has been responsible for assessing effectiveness of operational policies and procedures under 3rd party audit review.

Jessica possesses the skills and knowledge that will contribute to her success as a center director and is delighted to share her experience to help other business owners succeed. Jessica holds a BA in Community Studies and Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of California – Santa Cruz. She is National Cohort member of the Goldman Sachs/Babson College 10K Small Business Program.

Jessica has supported the Business Impact NW Food Business Resource Center working with business owners as a subject-matter expert. Her personal and professional life core values of diversity and collaboration are aligned with the mission of the WBC and Business Impact NW. She has experience working with and supporting diverse members of the community across a broad-spectrum including LGBTQ+, BIPOC, veterans, and people with disabilities. 

In her free time she enjoys mycology and foraging, and tends a wild garden to support urban pollinator diversity.

Darren has been helping entrepreneurs pursue their dreams since 2014. He focuses on individualized one-on-one coaching, tailoring his style to fit the needs of the client to help them move forward in their own venture. In addition to providing guidance through core business concepts, he also approaches coaching sessions from a soft skills perspective, giving insight into some of the essential traits needed to be successful, including interpersonal (people), communication, listening, problem-solving, leadership, creativity, and empathy.

He has an MBA in Sustainable Entrepreneurship, an MS in Environmental Studies/Writing and has founded five start-ups over the past twelve years, including a freelance writing/photography business, two concert production companies, and an international touring folk band. He currently runs DRYFT Music, a concert production company in Seattle that produces intimate concerts in unique venues, with the core mission of supporting up-and-coming singer/songwriters and changing the paradigm of live music in the Pacific NW. He is also currently launching his own solo music project.

Miriam believes in the power of small business to change the world, one community at a time. She is a certified Small Business Consultant through the American Association of Small Business Consultants and has more than twenty years’ experience guiding small businesses toward success. She enjoys sharing her expertise in retail, project management, cash flow, inventory control, space design, merchandising, staff training, customer service, daily operations, product design/production and pricing.

After earning a degree in Art Education from the UW, Miriam served as buyer/Assistant Director for FireWorks in Seattle, growing the business from one to five stores. She started her own consulting business to provide business coaching and retail project management to new and growing nonprofits and small businesses. She has presented for museum, healthcare, and artist/artisan organizations locally and nationally. Before joining the Business Impact Northwest team, Miriam designed and launched the retail program and product development coaching program for Ventures and the small business coaching program for Spaceworks Tacoma.

Ericka is a Business Coach and Trainer at Washington Women’s Business Center. She has a passion to help small businesses grow and expand, achieving financial stability not only for themselves but for others. It’s inspiring to watch entrepreneurs create new jobs and opportunities that will impact the surrounding communities and abroad. Before joining the Business Impact Northwest team, Ericka served as an independent contractor providing one on one personal support and mentorship to guide and assist clients as they made lifestyle changes. She coached clients through all three phases of an optimal health program; reaching a healthy weight, transition and optimization. Prior, she spent a decade serving in two positions in the finance department of the City of Tacoma. While there, she gained experience in payroll, accounts payable and receivable, purchasing, coaching and training, analyzing and reconciliation fund accounts, reviewing tax eligibility to avoid state tax penalties, budget tracking and reporting, and assisting in writing policies and procedures.

A Tacoma native, Ms. Whitfield graduated from the University of Washington, Tacoma in which she double majored with a B.A. in Organizational Leadership and Management. She later earned a MBA from Western Governor’s University focusing on management and strategy. Relevant coursework completed were financial analysis, organizational management, human resources, risk management, social responsibility, leadership, strategic management, decision analysis, and E-business & Supply Chain. Her capstone project included developing a business plan for a landscaping company whose goal was to increase its revenues to $150,000 by year-end.
In her free time, she enjoys gardening, turning a messy yard into a masterpiece, cooking healthy delicious meals for her family, being active outdoors enjoying the beauty of nature, and spending time with her fun loving family.

Business Impact NW Staff

Leadership

Joe Sky-Tucker, MSW

Danielle Moser

Domonique Juleon

Greta Stough

Victor Saldanha

Rick Leibowitz

Joe Sky-Tucker, MSW

Danielle Moser

Rick Leibowitz

Ashley Clark

Steve Cook

Kathleen Gaceta

Victor Saldanha

Roland Chaiton

Theo Ransum

Christopher Stone

Paul Maghiari

Ngan Phan

Addy Cui

Laura Gómez

Ankita Agarwal

Ahmad Ali

Stephanie Young

Katelin Enos

Todd Macgregor

Joni Marr

Greta Stough

Carolina Guzman

Faith Hamilton

Mirelle Wuolle

Emily Yoder

Patricia Biever

Janelle Bonifacio

Preeti Narnoli

Quy Duong

Menuka Shakya

Domonique Juleon

Susan Perreault, DBA

Steve Watts-Oelrich

Shelby Hammond

Adra D. Davis

Amanda Tehaney

Bo Abeille

Barbara Orts

Tianie Olson

Lisa Noland, MPA

Carrie Shephard

Henry Wong

Devra Gartenstein

Maya Rose

Janel Nonhoff

Christine Buckley

Leticia Lares

Zia Jabari

Gwen Kohl

Kenyatta Trice

Gabrielle Joyce

Claudia Cardenas

Cat Mason

Michael Reis

Chris Armstrong-Goings

Jessica Conaway

Michael Reis

Jasmin Garcia

Jessica Vidican-Neisius

Darren Guyaz

Miriam Works

Ericka Whitfield