
Brissa Perez (She/Her)
Community Engagement Manager
Brissa Perez joined NAWA in November 2022. Born and raised in the Walla Walla Valley, Brissa enjoys being outdoors in the Pacific Northwest. She received her BA in Political Science and Spanish, with a minor in Criminal Justice, from Washington State University in 2019. Much of Brissa’s work has been in community outreach, collaboration, advocacy, and public administration. In 2020, she worked with the U.S. Census Bureau as a Partnership Specialist, which included relationship building and education in Eastern WA. More recently, she worked for a healthcare nonprofit serving the Greater Columbia Region, where she led a mental health campaign. This inspired her to pursue her MBA and a career in the nonprofit sector serving underrepresented BIPOC communities. Brissa currently co-directs Folklorico Estrellas de Mexico (Mexican Folklore Tap Dance) in Walla Walla, where she danced for over fifteen years. Brissa lives in Richland and enjoys traveling, crafting on her Cricut, and taking her dog Chapo on trails.

Membership Manager
Elyse Ke’ala Rickard joined Nonprofit Association of Washington in August 2021. She received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from California State University, Fullerton and her Master of Public Administration from the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance at University of Washington. She has worked for a variety of nonprofits, ranging from higher education to social services, and is passionate about advocating for equitable and sustainable solutions in the sector and beyond. In her free time, Elyse enjoys listening to music and podcasts, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Jennifer joined the Nonprofit Association of Washington team in August 2020. She brings ten years of nonprofit experience and community-centered work in the South Puget Sound region to our team. Her experiences include serving as a nonprofit executive director, overseeing the transition of a funder managed program to an independent nonprofit, supporting watershed-based community collaborations, and leading urban green space restoration projects. Jennifer looks forward to supporting the continued growth of NAWA’s offerings and connecting with nonprofits across the state to cultivate learning opportunities and resources that meet their evolving needs. At the University of Washington, she received a Master of Public Administration from the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance as well as a Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Sciences. Jennifer is from Tacoma, Washington and she enjoys going for walks, quilting, and gardening.

Jonathan Baunach (He/Him)
Systems Manager
Jonathan joined Nonprofit Association of Washington in September 2022. He has a Bachelor’s in Mathematics from Western Washington University and a Master’s in Data Analysis from Western Governor’s University. In addition to his time working as a data analyst, Jonathan spent a year living and working as a teaching assistant in Szarvas, Hungary. In his free time, Jonathan is a pub trivia host. He also enjoys listening to podcasts, going to hockey games, and going to escape rooms with his family.


Laura Pierce (She/Her)
Executive Director
Laura became Nonprofit Association of Washington’s Executive Director in May 2017 after serving as the organization’s Interim Executive Director and having been a member and partner with the organization for many years. She has been the owner and principal consultant of Laura Pierce Consulting. Laura has worked in and with nonprofit organizations since 1989, including fund development, community organizing, and executive management positions. Since 1998, she has consulted with a wide range of nonprofit organizations, assisting with strategic planning, board development, organizational assessment and capacity building.

Deputy Director for Partnerships
Lianna comes to Nonprofit Association of Washington with 10 years of development and community support work with nonprofit organizations in both Pierce County and North Texas. Her expertise includes fund development, community outreach, board development, and volunteer management. Lianna is committed to equity and education, volunteering for the Equity Committee of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and teaching Public Administration and Nonprofit Management as an Adjunct Faculty member. She is excited to use her strategic approach to work with nonprofits across the state in identifying what they need to thrive and supporting them in achieving access. Lianna has a Master’s in Public Administration from Evergreen State College and a Bachelors in Journalism from University of Idaho. Lianna lives in Lakewood with her husband and two dogs (Boomer and Adele). She can most frequently be found experimenting in her kitchen or curled up with a sci-fi novel in her favorite chair.

Nicki brings nearly a decade of experience in non-profits from multiple regions of the state, including Seattle, Everett, Cashmere, and Cle Elum. She worked in volunteer management, outreach, and event production before discovering her passion for communications while working on the events team at Cascade Bicycle Club. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Nicki has called Washington home since 2013. She earned her Master’s in Public Administration with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Washington Evans School in 2018. She is also a board member of the Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market. Nicki resides in Cashmere on a 5-acre micro-dairy, Green Valley Dairy, with her boyfriend, goats, chickens, turkeys, two dogs, and two cats.

Pam Tagata (She/Her)
Operations Coordinator
Prior to joining NAWA in August 2022, Pamela worked for a variety of small businesses where she managed the day-to-day operations and worked on developing and implementing new administrative processes. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Seattle University. In her free time, Pamela enjoys exploring different neighborhoods, visiting cute cafes and shops, and volunteering to provide nutritious meals and clothing to people experiencing homelessness.

Sarah joined NAWA in spring 2022. Prior to joining the team, she worked in the nonprofit world serving immigrants and refugees as a Case Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, and Systems Specialist. She holds her BA in Exercise Science from Seattle Pacific University. Sarah has lived in Washington her whole life, and currently resides in Spokane. In her free time, she enjoys climbing, camping, going on long walks with her dog, and gardening.

Tiffany Brace (She/Her)
Policy Director
Tiffany became Nonprofit Association of Washington’s Policy Director in October of 2022. She brings 10 years of experience in social work, public policy, and advocacy across disability rights, voter engagement, education, childcare access, and healthcare. She received her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Spanish from Seattle University and her Master of Social Work in Administration and Policy Practice from the University of Washington. Tiffany is passionate about supporting nonprofits, their workers, and those they benefit to advocate for a thriving Washington. When she’s not deep-diving into a policy proposal or meeting with advocates, Tiffany is often found baking up seasonal treats for the gluten free community. Tiffany will say yes to any invitation as long as her dog, Yuki, is invited too.
Pets of NAWA!

Addy

Boomer

Princess

Cedar

Lucky

King Louie & Bourbon

Clover

Nymeria

Sam

Colt

Chapo

Yuki
