Our Board of Directors consists of a mixture of people including those that have personal lived or professional experience supporting and advocating for children with behavioral health needs as well as allies to the behavioral health community who bring their own perspective and professional knowledge to the organization. Get to know each member a little better and learn why we’re so committed to connecting other families to the necessary training, resources, and support that can often feel so difficult or confusing to find.
Kelly Walk
Board Chair
Kelly Walk is the Western State Hospital Director of Organizational Change Management. She is a certified Change Management practitioner and a current Clinical Psychology doctoral student. A resident of Lakewood, Kelly loves spending time with her partner, James, and five children, Haley, Sully, Sam, Tayler, and Ace. When she finds the time, Kelly enjoys jogging through Lakewood’s gorgeous forested neighborhoods while listening to podcasts on neuroscience, psychology, and current events. Kelly also enjoys an unhealthy amount of baked goods, hence, her proclivity for jogging!
Theresa Winther LMFT, MAC, CDP, CMHS
Member at Large
My passion is to help children, youth, families, and caregivers find solutions to the challenges they face caring for their loved ones. I specialize in mental and emotional health and substance use issues. I have worked with families and caregivers for 15+ years in public mental health and bring a systems approach that creates opportunities to collaborate and partner. I have led teams, participated as a team member, and oversaw community teams that supported quality care across the continuum. I have family members who have been affected by behavioral health issues and want to give back. I have been fortunate to work side by side with fantastic peer parents, youth, and adults who strive for wellness for themselves and their loved ones. One of the main ways I have enhanced my career by giving back and getting involved with WSCC. I have joined as a board member to help support the growth of families across the state. I look forward to helping this organization grow while I continue to gain skills, knowledge, and a greater level of service. During my free time, I hike, work out, visit my family, and travel. I enjoy teaching Family Systems Theory and co-facilitating training with parents on technical assistance to manage their way through life's path.
Jerri Stanley
Board Secretary
Our family is on a recovery journey that includes both Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder challenges. As a parent of 9 children, and helper to 3 Grandchildren and 1 Great Grandson our experiences seeking help has been extensive. Currently I am a Certified Peer Counselor, Recovery Coach and National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist. I have worked as the Program Coordinator for SW Washington Recovery Coalition. Currently I am the Director of a peer ran organization H.A.P.S. Recovery Support Services. Using skills to help families receive holistic services is of upmost importance. Our family’s journey was difficult at times however Peers long the way help guide the way. We continue to work with individuals, families, and organizations to promote services that give each person a voice. Healing comes in many ways. WSCC certainly is an organization that encourages and promotes the individual and their identified families healing.
Kim Runge
Board Member
I am the proud mom of identical twin sons that have autism, that brings me challenges and great joy. Because of my journey raising complex boys (men now), I have the great opportunity to give back as a Lead Family Partner with the WISe team at Sound in King Co. for the last 11 years. During this time, I was a board officer for the Northshore SD SEPAC (Special Education Parent/Professional Advisory Council) and a Co-Family Tri-Chair for the NWFYSPRT in King Co. Through all my experiences, it has given me great knowledge of systems, partnering, advocacy, and making sure family voices are heard and acknowledged. During my precious free time, I love hanging out with my girlfriends, 1:1 time with my boys, date night with my husband, taking black and white photos, and binge-watching Netflix.
Mayra Colazo
Board Member
Mayra is the Executive Director at Central Washington Disability Resources. She has worked with individuals with disabilities for over 6 years and has a huge passion to advocate for Equity for all. She is a single mother of two kids, a 9-year-old daughter, and a 5-year-old son. She has lived in Ellensburg for almost 20 years, through the work she is really involved in the community through the 5 Counties that they cover which are: Kittitas, Yakima, Grant, Chelan, and Douglas. Mayra is very involved in the community be part of the DEI commission of Kittitas County, a Board member at Chelan-Douglas Volunteer Services, Statewide CEIP, Collaborative community advisory board (DOH), and many more. During her free time (if any 😊) she enjoys going on walks, camping, and dancing with her kids and family.
Eric Tillman
Member at Large
Eric is the Health Homes Manager for Titanium Healthcare of WA. He has an intensive background in health care ranging from being an EMT to working at In Patient Behavioral health settings, to being a case manager for Medicaid members. Eric currently lives in Snohomish County in Marysville. Eric comes from a family that has a history of addiction and mental health challenges. Both of Eric’s parents are recovering from Substance Use Disorder.. Eric has dedicated his life to helping the underinsured and underserved population in healthcare. In his free time Eric enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife and 2 dogs.
Sarah Chesemore
Member At Large
Sarah is a Principal Strategy and Innovation Consultant with Cambia Health Solutions. In this role, she partners with senior executives to develop strategies that serve customers with simpler and more affordable health care solutions. One area of focus is behavioral health services and support. Sarah has over 20 years of experience leading teams to develop new programmatic strategies, ensure strategic clarity and prioritization, and translate strategies into implementation roadmaps and results frameworks for social sector organizations. She has also served on several nonprofit boards across the healthcare, economic development, and education sectors. Sarah lives in Bellevue, WA with her husband, two teenage children, and a well-loved Shih Tzu named Charlie (the best therapy support). She has a daughter who has been living with mental health challenges and suicidal ideation since the age of 10 years. Sarah is passionate about support and skill building for families and caregivers who wake up every day as first responders for their loved ones. She also believes in the importance of self-care which typically involves acupuncture, long walks listening to audio books, or soaking up the sun by Lake Washington.
Apply here!
Applications will be reviewed for upcoming vacancies and will be maintained for future consideration. Thank you for your interest in serving on the WSCC’s Board of Directors.
