THE MOCKINGBIRD SOCIETY - Key Persons
Amy joined The Mockingbird Society in January of 2024. Amy is a seasoned social work practitioner with a deep commitment to social justice and equity. She braids her experience working with nonprofit organizations, local government and philanthropic organizations when partnering with communities to build community power and local capacity - rooted by healing and love. Amy was a Youth Justice Leadership Institute Fellow with the National Juvenile Justice Network, a JustLead Washington Fellow, and served as a Seattle Human Rights Commissioner. Amy earned her Master's degree in Social Work and Bachelor's in American Ethnic Studies from the University of Washington.
Job Titles:
- Associate and Field Instructor for Master of Social Work
- Secretary University of Washington
Joined The Mockingbird Society in June 2021. Brian is a teaching associate and field instructor for Master of Social Work students at the Child Welfare Training and Advancement Program in the University of Washington's School of Social Work. He became a supporter of the Mockingbird Society over a decade ago while working as an adolescent unit social worker and supervisor in Washington's child welfare system. In 2021, he joined the Mockingbird Society's Board of Directors. Having worked closely with the youth in the child welfare system, Brian witnessed the tremendous impact that Mockingbird had on their lives. He saw firsthand how the implementation of Washington's Extended Foster Care program, the Prudent Parent Standard, and various other Mockingbird initiatives brought about a fundamental change in the experience of young people in the child welfare system almost overnight. Moreover, Brian observed how the Mockingbird Family Model supported new foster parents by providing them with a necessary support system and community. It also welcomed birth parents into the constellation for visits and events, leading to successful parent-child reunifications for families Brian worked with on multiple occasions. Brian is proud to be a part of the Mockingbird Society's Board of Directors because of the transformative work it has done in the past two decades. He is excited to see its continued impact through the launch and implementation of Mockingbird 2.0 in 2023.
Job Titles:
- Director of Public Policy & Advocacy
Job Titles:
- Coordinator
- Mockingbird Staff Member
Dawn Ehlke brings her experience as a foster parent and 15 years in technology to her role at Mockingbird. Dawn first learned about Mockingbird Society when she was approached about becoming a Hub Home with the Mockingbird Family. Dawn has spent much of her personal and professional life building communities to support kinship caregivers, foster children and women in technology. Dawn enjoys being outdoors, traveling, gardening, cooking, reading and spending time with all manner of family she has picked up throughout life.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- Vice - President Seattle University Department of Public Affairs and Nonprofit Leadership
Joined the Mockingbird Society in April 2021. Dr. Zachary D. Wood works as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Affairs and Nonprofit Leadership at Seattle University. His research centers on issues of community development and urban social policy, applying critically-grounded frameworks to interrogate the structural power and resource arrangements that shape community access to power and decision-making. Dr. Wood is a passionate advocate for vibrant and collective expressions of democracy and social justice, with an eye toward centering the voices and lived experiences of groups consistently excluded from decision-making and economic structures. Additionally, Dr. Wood has more than a decade of experience working in homeless services in numerous leadership capacities, and also serves on the Board of Directors for the national youth advocacy organization, Youth Collaboratory.
Job Titles:
- Mockingbird Staff Member
- Regional Engagement Coordinator
Hayley Bridwell (she/they/none)MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ Consultant hayley@mockingbirdsociety.org
Job Titles:
- Director of Practice Innovation
Juliana joined The Mockingbird Society in January of 2024. I first learned about Mockingbird's work several years ago and I have been so impressed by its commitment to both elevating youth voice and effecting macro-level change. For nearly eight years of my career I focused on child welfare, family reunification, and behavioral health in a non-profit setting, so I look forward to continuing to advocate for important systems change while serving on this Board. I care deeply about social justice, and I admire Mockingbird's renewed commitment to racial equity. I am a nearly lifelong Washingtonian and proud "double Dawg," having attended the UW for an undergraduate degree in public health and sociology and a graduate degree in public policy. In my free time I enjoy trying new restaurants and cafes around Seattle, reading (especially international fiction or biographies/memoirs), listening to the latest vinyl I've splurged on at Sonic Boom or Fat Cat Records, playing chess, and spending time with my family.
Job Titles:
- King County Advocacy Manager
Lauren Morelli (she/her)Communications Manager laurenmorelli@mockingbirdsociety.
Job Titles:
- Regional Engagement Coordinator
Meg joined The Mockingbird Society in January of 2024.
Charles Smith (he/him)Director of Public Policy & Advocacy charles.smith@mockingbirdsociety.org
Job Titles:
- Outreach and Engagement Manager
Job Titles:
- Events & Stewardship Manager
Job Titles:
- Director of Youth Programs
Job Titles:
- President Building Changes
Tasha joined The Mockingbird Society in January of 2019.
Job Titles:
- Regional Engagement Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Public Policy & Advocacy Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Development & Communications Coordinator