Our team​

Staff

Karen Schrantz

Karen Schrantz

Executive Director

Karen Schrantz provides leadership as the Executive Director of Safe Crossings Foundation. Drawing on expertise from professional experience in both the private and public sector as a mediator, facilitator, educator, and executive director, Karen unites vision, energy and enthusiasm to her pursuit of bringing partners together to advance Safe Crossings Foundation’s mission. She received her BA in American Studies from California State University, Fullerton, her teaching degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Texas, her Master of Public Administration degree from the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington, and a specialty certificate from the UW’s Non-Profit Executive Leadership Institute.

ZOE OTTEMILLer

Development &

Communications Coordinator

As the Communications and Development Coordinator, Zoe Ottemiller widely supports Safe Crossings Foundation’s team by bringing experience and understanding of social disparities to the work. From the beginning of her career, Zoe’s focus has been on social justice and advocacy for vulnerable communities. While working with communities facing food insecurities and youth within the Washington state foster care system, she engaged stakeholders to decrease barriers impacting underserved populations.  Zoe has a BA in Communications from Portland State University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver.

Anne aumell

Development Director

Anne Aumell joyfully serves as the Development Director of Safe Crossings Foundation. During her career, Anne has engaged donors and community members in the missions of several Seattle organizations, including UW Medicine, PATH, FaithTrust Institute, and Earth Ministry. She brings expertise in fundraising and nonprofit management to Safe Crossings Foundation, and a passion to sit knee-to-knee with people as they discern the impact of their philanthropy. Anne earned her BA in English Literature from the University of Washington and holds an MA in pastoral studies from the School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University.  

joanna mcdermott

Administration &

Events Coordinator

Joanna McDermott is honored to serve as the Administrative and Events Coordinator of Safe Crossings Foundation. She understands the importance of young people having access to grief support, as she has personally experienced young grief. She is excited to use her administrative skills and passion for event planning to help provide resources for those in need. She is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive environment that provides equitable access to support.

Board

Officers

Megan Sutherland, Community Volunteer
President

Josephine Vestal, Retired Attorney, Williams Kastner
Secretary

Nicole Storck, Tax Partner, PwC
Treasurer

Wesley Burns, Principal, Transformational Advisory
Vice President

Directors

Steve Brooks, President, UMC, Inc.

Lee Carswell, Senior Manager, West Monroe Partners

David Cook, Director Strategy and Planning, Nia Tero

Shawn Hintz, Senior Vice President, UBS

Nathan Hoerschelmann, Attorney, Hoerschelmann Dietz PLLC

Heidi Howard, Director, Equinteractions

Debra Rubin Levin, Community Volunteer

Michael Lightfoot, Community Volunteer

Jessica Abramson Lott, Principal, Curiosity Works

Nicole Mackenzie, Attorney and Managing Director, Williams Kastner

Beverly Reed, Program Manager II, Community Health Plan of Washington

Chanel Reynolds, Author and Founder, GYST

Sara Robertson, Community Volunteer

Paul Robinett, President, Hermanson

Mike Turian, Product Architect, Wizards of the Coast

UW Board Fellows (non-Voting)

Tessa Pilz, MPA Candidate, Evans School of Public Policy and Governance

Directors Emeritus

Diane Aboulafia, CEO, Great Work Strategic Communications

Teresa Bigelow, Community Volunteer – Safe Crossings Foundation Founder

Annette Clark, Professor and Dean, Seattle University School of Law

Donna Haggarty-Robbins, Owner, You’re My Heroine

Bill Leedom, Community Volunteer

Flip Morse, Community Volunteer

Thomas Hall, Retired CEO, People’s Injury Network NW

Partners

Catherine Holmes Wilkins Foundation

Crockett Family Foundation

Fales Foundation Trust

Glassybaby Foundation

Grousemont Foundation

Impact West Seattle

Kawabe Memorial Fund

Kelly Foundation

McEachern Foundation

MultiCare Community Partnerhship Fund

Norcliffe Foundation

Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation

Puyallup Tribe’s Charity Funds

Tulalip Tribes Charitable Fund

Vatheuer Family Foundation

Windermere Foundation

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