Meet Our Team

Neal M. (He/Him)

Executive Director

Neal brings to the Nonprofit Association of Washington decades of experience in the nonprofit sector. He has a proven record of designing and implementing programs that effectively address community challenges, advocating for change at the city and state level, providing transformational learning opportunities around leadership, trauma-informed approach, change management, and equitable and inclusive practices.
In his most recent role as Director of Programs at Bellevue LifeSpring, and in the role prior as Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Hopelink, Neal has focused on building the systems, policies, procedures, culture, and capacity to serve the community in the most effective and equitable ways possible. With experience in small, medium, and large nonprofits at various stages of growth, Neal is eager to work with the vast array of nonprofits that serve Washington.
While originally from California, Neal has spent nearly all of his adult life in Washington and loves the evergreen state. Neal and his family can often be found exploring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the specific regional foods each area has to offer. He looks forward to hearing specific recommendations from all of our partners across the state.

Brissa Perez, a woman with dark brown hair pulled back, eyeglasses, and a big smile, is wearing a grey sweater.

Diane L., CFRE, CAP (She/Her)

Director of Development

Diane joined the Nonprofit Association of Washington in 2025 as Director of Development. She holds a degree in Graphic Design and has earned certificates from the University of Washington Tacoma in Fundraising Management, Nonprofit Management, and Project Management. She is also a Certified Fundraising Executive (CRFE) and a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP). Her experience in grant writing, corporate and donor relations, fund development, event planning, and community engagement, is vital to building support for NAWA’s mission. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals South Sound, Puget Sound Grantwriters Association, and the South Sound Planned Giving Council. Collaborating with this passionate NAWA team, she strengthens connections across Washington State to foster vibrant and resilient nonprofit organizations. Diane is also an active community volunteer who enjoys DIY projects, gardening, and travel. She even tries to visit a local garden tour or nursery on every trip she takes.

Jennifer C. (She/Her)

Director of Learning

Jennifer joined the Nonprofit Association of Washington team in August 2020. She brings over ten years of nonprofit experience and community-centered work 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 leads the continued growth of NAWA’s educational offerings and connects with nonprofits across the state to cultivate learning opportunities and resources that meet their evolving needs. She oversees the annual Washington State Nonprofit Conference and develops innovative curricula, in-person trainings, and online learning programming. 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.

Jesse T. (He/Him)

Operations Director

Jesse joined Nonprofit Association of Washington in October of 2023. He grew up in North Central Washington before moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. He has since spent the last two decades working in Washington nonprofits including spending time as Director of Operations at Seattle Children’s Museum and the Academy for Precision Learning. In his free time, he enjoys reading, the Seattle Sounders and volunteering at his local food bank.

Jonathan Baunach a light-skinned male wearing glasses and a black vest standing in front of a glass building.

Jeanine G. (She/Her)

Membership Specialist

Jeanine joined the NAWA team in May 2025, bringing over 15 years of experience in museum programming and community engagement. Known for her dedication to building authentic relationships, she excels at amplifying community voices and honoring lived experiences.

A lifelong Washingtonian, Jeanine is honored to support the state’s nonprofit sector through collaboration, creative partnerships, and meaningful connection-building.

When she’s not championing members or curating connections, Jeanine enjoys visiting museums and local parks. She also loves road-tripping along the coast, attending concerts and music festivals, and exploring the Olympic Peninsula. At home, she shares her life with her family, their polydactyl cat, Albus, and their pampered betta fish, Nebula.

Jonathan B. (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.

Julia H. (She/Her)

Learning Manager

Julia has a passion for building community and loves connecting with the incredible nonprofits of Washington State. She earned her MA in Literature from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, focusing on teaching, grant writing, and postmodern theory. Before that she completed an Americorps year in Atlanta, GA, where she worked at The Furniture Bank of Metro-Atlanta, and found a vocation in supporting nonprofits. Julia resides in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle with her husband, where she is an active community advocate and a lover of urban gardens, local fare, and live performance. Currently she serves Edible Hope Kitchen as an advisory board member, grant writer, and regular volunteer.

Sarah Smith a white woman with long brown hair wearing a black sweater with a plain yellow background

Sarah S. (She/Her)

Program Coordinator

Sarah joined NAWA in spring 2022. Prior to joining the team, she worked in a variety of roles in the nonprofit sector, including case management, volunteer coordination, and data management. Sarah has lived in Washington her whole life. In her free time, she enjoys climbing, camping, going on long walks with her dog, and gardening.

Tiffany Brace, a white woman with light colored hair, is smiling and wearing glasses. The background behind her is dark.

Tiawania H.D. (She/Her)

Marketing Specialist

Tiawania (Tia) joined NAWA in September 2023. She is a Pierce County native who loves the natural world and green space that Western Washington offers; this led her to pursue environmental sciences and geospatial technology during her time at Clover Park Technical College and the University of Washington-Tacoma. Tia brings over five years of digital marketing, banding, and communications experience to the NAWA team from her time as a full-time freelancer. She truly believes in the power of ethical marketing and uses this framework in her approach to digital marketing with the end user in mind. She continues to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations update and establish themselves in the digital space in her free time when not out in her community garden plot or volunteering in the Pierce County community.

Tiffany B. (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.