Board of Trustees
Anne O’Leary, PresidentAnne has lived on Vashon since 1995. One of the first things she did upon moving to Vashon was to become involved with VAA and she says she has enjoyed every moment of her association with ‘this wonderful organization.’ She moved with her family to Seattle from the East Coast in 1979. Anne retired five years ago from a career in Social Work/ Non-profit administration with a focus on Children and Family services. Her previous posts include Community Hospice (volunteer coordinating and fundraising), Executive Director of PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support) and Program Director for Catholic Community Services. This is her second term on the VAA Board.
Leslie McIntosh, Vice President
Leslie holds a degree in mathematics and is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries. Born in Toronto, she has lived on both coasts but has called Vashon home for over a decade. Leslie was a Human Resources and employee benefits consultant for 10 years before joining Weyerhaeuser Company where she works as the Corporate Actuary. Leslie is a long time supporter of the arts and arts education. Leslie joined the Board in 2008, and currently chairs the finance committee and co chairs the Garden Tour committee. She is an avid gardener and her garden was featured on the 2007 VAA Garden Tour. Previously she served on the Board of Vashon Maury Food Bank.
Nancy Miracle, Secretary
Nancy is Product Manager for Golf Savings Bank, a division of Sterling Financial Services. Nancy has been a regular participant in VAA programs and classes since moving to Vashon Island four years ago. In her free time she dabbles with painting, gardening and dance, and is an avid cyclist. While living in Seattle, Nancy was an active member of the Green Lake Park Alliance. Nancy joined the Board in 2008, and is co-chair for the 2010 VAA Garden Tour.
Kathy Pine, Treasurer
Kathy was born in Seattle and grew up in Port Hadlock on the Olympia Peninsula. As a visitor, she first fell in love with Vashon and Maury Islands about 30 years ago. She moved to Maury Island in 2002. A South End commuter, Kathy met her husband, Doug, on the Rhododendron ferry. In 2008, after 22 years, she retired from her professional career as Director of Policy Development and Senior Trust Officer for Russell Investments. Kathy has worked as a jewelry artist for more than 15 years. Since retiring from the financial services industry, she has focused attention on her jewelry business, which embraces Fair Trade and the use of eco-friendly materials.
Kathi Jenkins
Kathi grew up in Seattle, worked as a teacher, then became a delivery driver for United Parcel Service. She worked her way up the ranks in management and retired in 1997, and moved to Vashon Island. She originally visited Vashon to purchase Christmas trees and attend the December and May Art Studio Tours. Since then she has become a major collector of Vashon artwork, a collection that exceeds 90 works of art. Many of the pieces she purchased at VAA’s annual Art Auction. Kathi joined the Board in 2007 and has worked with the Board’s budget and finance committee, Art Auction and Garden Tour.
Mark Bennion, Executive Committee Member at Large
A painter and sculptor, Mark has lived on Vashon since 1976. Known for his iconic abstract paintings, installations and geometric welded steel sculptures, he also designs and builds architectural elements for both public and private spaces. Mark was a featured artist at the Museum of Northwest Art and has an ongoing installation of sculpture at the Museum of Glass. A show of his paintings recently opened at the Wexler Gallery in Philadelphia. He is represented by the William Traver Gallery Seattle. Mark joined the VAA Board in 2007.
Paul Martinez
Paul was born in Los Angeles and moved to Seattle in 1989, from Denver, where he worked as a ceramic artist and in the art services industry. He joined the Seattle Art Museum staff in 1993, and currently holds the position of Associate Exhibition Designer. He participated in the recent reinstallation of Seattle Asian Art Museum and expansion of the downtown Seattle Art Museum. His art work, primarily in ceramics, has been exhibited widely and is represented in many corporate and private collections. Martinez has been a recipient of the Artist Trust Fellowship Award. Martinez is Chairperson of the VAA Building Committee. He lives on Vashon with his wife Renee Roman.
Anna Martinsen
Anna Martinsen grew up on an island in Southeastern Alaska. While a student and young mother she worked summers in the commercial fishing industry. She lived forty in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she worked in the public school system and in the retail industry. Her expertise is in visual presentation and marketing. She worked as a department manager for Nordstrom for many years, organized fashion events and taught professional image seminars for companies throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Martinsen has always loved theater and special events. She spent several years costuming local theater productions. Martinsen has collected Native American baskets for many years. She and her husband Nick retired to Vashon Island to live near their daughter and grandchildren. Martinsen volunteers at Heron’s Nest, is a member of Vashon Island Chorale and enjoys gardening. She co-chaired the 2009 Garden Tour.
Lark Pelling
Lark works as an attorney on the Island. She is the mother of two children who love to dance and make a mess with paints, pens and clay. She previously served on the Board of the Bridger Clinic in Bozeman, Montana before moving to the Island in 2004. With a background in mediation, litigation and community outreach for a variety of organizations over the years, she has enjoyed contributing her time to VAA since 2008.
Ann Nicklason
Ann moved with her family to Vashon in 1992. Prior to living on the Island Ann owned a restaurant in Seattle. A varied and lifelong background in grassroots politics and community activism has kept Ann active on a number of boards and projects over the years. Her involvement with the Blue Heron began with her two girls taking art classes and ballet. She is a former VAA Board member, worked on staff as membership coordinator and Art Auction coordinator and is a strong arts supporter. She and her husband, Allen Ressler, are strong arts supporters enjoy collecting Island art.
Judith Burwell
Judith looks forward to participating with VAA during with the many exciting plans and projects in the works. On Vashon Island since her youngest granddaughter was born in May 2004, she retired from the hospitality business in Snowmass Village (Aspen), Colorado. Judith grew up and started her career in Oregon, lived in Colorado for the past 25 years before returning 'home' to the NW. Judith was involved in many nonprofit organizations in CO, including the arts, hospital, community health, etc. She participated in building the first chapel and helped organize summer rodeos in Snowmass, among her many philanthropic activities. She also served on the Town Council. Judith looks forward interacting with the VAA group of 'activists'.
Fred Albert
Fred grew up in Boston and studied art and design at Yale before moving to Seattle in 1979. He served as Public Relations Manager at Seattle Children’s Theatre and Publications Manager at Seattle Repertory Theatre before venturing out into a full-time career as a design journalist. Author of two books and contributor to numerous national magazines, he served as Editor in Chief of Seattle Homes & Lifestyles from 1996 to 2005, and is now Editor in Chief of Style 1900, a national magazine about Arts and Crafts architecture and design. Vashon resident since 1994, Fred has served on the Drama Dock board and is an active follower of the Island arts scene.
Bruce Morser
Originally from New England, Bruce moved to Vashon with his family in 1987. Long-time VAA members, he credits his daughter's life passion for dance to Blue Heron Dance program. Bruce is a nationally recognized freelance illustrator, known for images in magazines ranging from National Geographic to Fine Homebuilding. Apple Computer, NASA, Nike, Microsoft, Starbucks, Boeing, Nintendo and Nordstrom are among his corporate clients. Bruce has taught Drawing and Creativity locally for several years at Cornish College of the Arts, School of Visual Concepts and the Art Institute of Seattle. Bruce earned an MFA in Painting from University of Washington in 1988, and a BA from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY in 1976. He feels fortunate to have remained involved in education by serving as a Trustee of Colgate University over the last 14 years, his primary interests being on Capital Projects and Student Affairs committees. He has also served on Vashon's Harbor School Board, as well as the Vashon/King County Town Plan Committee during the mid-1990s. Bruce enjoys rowing with Vashon's Rowing Team and cruising with his family on their old wooden boat.
Chanda Carlson
Chanda finds her inner artist as a Master Certified Coach, partnering with people to design and manifest the lifestyle of their choice, at whatever phase of life they are in. She has 25+ years experience developing communication skills in leaders, and most recently, coaching teams to achieve their bottom-line results. She was first introduced to VAA when her partner volunteered her to guide the organization through a strategic planning process in 2000, and has been a supporter ever since! Chanda and her partner, artist Jan Wall, have lived on Vashon Island for 15 years. Though she considers herself ‘stick-figure challenged,’ Chanda enjoys art in its myriad forms, loves gardening and dances often through the day – with or without music!
Kevin McMurdo
Kevin, a native Californian, has lived in the Pacific Northwest for 30 years. For the past 8 years, he has served as Chief Marketing Officer at Perkins Coie, a national law firm headquartered in Seattle. He and his wife, Jenny - an accomplished equestrian - moved to the Island in 1997. Kevin served for a number of years on the Vashon Lacrosse Club Board and remains an active supporter of the program. He served briefly on the VAA Board in between 1998 and 2000, but found his work-related travel interfered with participation. Now he travels less and rejoined the Board to assist with community outreach related to the building project.
Denise Katz
Denise joins VAA with over 20 years experience as a senior executive in business. She moved to Vashon 12 years ago with her family and currently works as Managing Broker and Sales Director for Windermere Real Estate. Her two children graduated from Vashon High School and are involved in both theatrical and visual arts. Denise is very active in the community and has volunteered with many organizations: PTSA president (2007-2009), Vashon Allied Arts Auction volunteer, Thanksgiving Basket Brigade, Blood Drive, Concerts in the Park and Strawberry Festival Wine Garden. Denise is a strong supporter of the arts and is looking forward to participating in VAA's plans for the coming years.
Duane Bedard
Duane has made Vashon Island his home for nearly 20 years with his wife and two elementary school age children. He is founder and CEO of eSage Group, a technology consulting company located in Pioneer Square, that helps clients improve sales, marketing and operational efficiency through business intelligence. For the past four years, Duane and his family have been servers/coordinator for Wednesday Night Community Dinner. He has also volunteered at the PTSA Auction and co-chaired the recent Winter Solstice Celebration of Arts and Community. Duane is excited about being involved in the next phase of VAA’s growth as the new building project comes to life.
Susan Kutscher
Susan has made her home on Vashon since 1986. This is her second time to serve on the VAA board, the first time being lost to ancient history. Susan worked as a professional stage manager in New York City and in regional theatre before returning to the Northwest and rearing her family on Vashon with husband, Ted. She currently works as a corporate and estate planning paralegal. In past years, Susan has served on the board of Vashon Youth and Family Services and has volunteered for other Island nonprofits including Vashon Maury Island Food Bank. Her latest incarnation is Properties Mistress for Vashon Opera. Susan enjoys trail maintenance with Washington Trails Association, backpacking, cross country skiing and walking. She is excited to be working with the great board and staff of VAA and it is her hope to contribute her energy and enthusiasm to both the ongoing life of VAA and the exciting challenge of bringing the performing arts space to reality.
Tim Roden
Tim grew up in Boise, Idaho and has lived in Wyoming and California. He moved to Seattle in 1987, and to Vashon in 2001, with his partner Brian Austin. For the past four years Tim has worked as a Senior Management Consultant at Point B, a national consulting firm headquartered in Seattle. Prior to joining Point B, Tim spent over twenty years in education, first as a teacher and then developing some of the country's most widely used health education programs and products for the Discovery Channel. Tim served previously on the VAA Board from 2002 – 2005. Now he travels less and is glad to rejoin the Board to assist on the new building project. When not helping Brian tend their small farm (complete with chickens, sheep, horses and occasionally a pig or two) Tim can probably be found on his snowboard, bike or riding one of his two horses.
Susan Sullivan
Susan Sullivan is a retired Biochemist and lover of the arts. Upon retirement dabbled in theatre –stage managing, producing and assistant directing plays for community theatre on Bainbridge Island. She started an auction for the arts there and brought some of those ideas and skills to Vashon Island. Moving to Vashon in 2000 opened new possibilities and she joined the VAA Board in the mid ‘00s. She is returning to a former place, and at an exciting time; VAA is maturing and re-creating itself as a vital, important part of Vashon. Building the new performing arts space will mark VAA’s growth into a fully-realized component of the Island, a central unit in its cultural and spiritual definition. An avid outdoorswoman, Susan loves to hike, backpack and walk. Her grandchildren are her first passion – nothing beats perfection!
