Personal y Patronato
Meetings of the Board of Trustees are typically held on the third Thursday of the month in the late afternoon. The next meeting of the board of trustees is scheduled for June 19, 2025 in the community room at the Orcas Public Library, starting at 4:00 p.m.
El Patronato de la OPAL opera por consenso:
JUNTA DIRECTIVA
Ana Bertino has lived on Orcas since 2009 and first became involved with OPAL through the building committee. The home she shares with husband Patrick is very efficient with rain catchment and solar hot water systems. She managed OPALCO’s Energy Efficiency program for four years and currently works as an energy efficiency / sustainability consultant and interior space planner. Her varied background includes green building and design and a career in the aerospace field. She has a B.S. degree in engineering physics and an A.A.S. degree in interior design. Anne has been a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional since 2008.
Eros Belliveau is a versatile individual with a diverse background. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1996 and moved to Seattle in 1997. Eros has worked in various industries, including tech companies, landscaping and as an outreach worker for HIV prevention. He currently resides on Orcas Island and has experience in the service industry, as well as involvement with Dog Park Board of Directors. Eros is thrilled to finally step into a board position at OPAL and eagerly looks forward to the connections he will make and the knowledge he will gain from this new role.
bonnie burg se mudó de Minnesota a Orcas en 2013. Ella y su esposa Maryann Syers, ambas trabajadoras sociales clínicas, tienen una práctica de psicoterapia en Eastsound. Después de recibir una licenciatura en Psicología de Barat College y su maestría de la Universidad de Chicago, trabajó durante 40 años en varios entornos de salud mental en Chicago. En 1972, Bonnie se convirtió en miembro de la facultad de la Universidad de Illinois, donde trabajó en el Departamento de Psiquiatría capacitando a residentes de psiquiatría, estudiantes de medicina y pasantes de trabajo social. Varios años más tarde abrió su práctica privada en el centro de Chicago. Se unió a la junta de Horizons Community Services en 1986 y fue presidenta de esta organización durante 8 años. Esto marcó el comienzo de su "carrera en la junta" y su compromiso con el servicio comunitario. Desde que llegó a Orcas, se ha desempeñado en la junta del Centro de Recursos Comunitarios de Orcas como Presidenta del Programa, en el Comité del Centro para Personas Mayores de Orcas como Vicepresidenta y Presidenta, y en el Comité Asesor de Servicios Humanos de SJC. Bonnie ve a OPAL como una organización fundamental en Orcas y apoya sinceramente la misión de crear oportunidades para que todos los isleños tengan un lugar al que llamar hogar.
Rusty Lynn Diggs moved to Orcas Island in 2003, and together with Christopher Evans began raising their twin girls in the Bonnie Brae neighborhood in 2005. Prior to Orcas Island, Rusty worked and lived at a non-profit, intentional community in Oregon for 8 years. While there she taught sustainable living skills as well as advocated for Old Growth Forests, social and economic justice. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rusty first came to the Pacific Northwest in 1990 where she attended the University of Oregon for a degree in Cultural Anthropology. Her passion for community development inspires her desire to be a part of the OPAL board of directors.
Mallory Hagel is born and raised on Whidbey Island and now happily living here on Orcas. She first moved to Orcas in 2015. With a strong background in labor and community organizing, she helped launch the countywide effort to establish the real estate excise tax (REET) for affordable housing, which was passed by voters in 2018. Returning to Orcas in 2023, Mallory now works remotely, providing high-quality benefits to 55,000 home care workers in Washington and Montana. She’s excited to be a newly appointed trustee of OPAL. She has also joined the county’s Housing Advisory Committee in its work to provide housing solutions and reduce homelessness.
Lila menor y su esposa, Leonie Van Gelder, viven en Orcas Island desde 1995. Compraron una casa OPAL en 2018 después de casi veinte años como gerentes residentes en Indralaya. Antes de mudarse a Orcas Island, Minor trabajó para la Cámara de Comercio de Greater Seattle y luego como tasador de bienes raíces comerciales. Su formación académica incluye una licenciatura en Historia de Whitman College y una maestría en administración de empresas de la Universidad de Washington. Minor ha sido miembro de la Junta de OPAL desde 2019 y actualmente se desempeña como Tesorero. También forma parte de los Comités de Fondo de Préstamos y Finanzas.
margaret molinos vive en Crane Island en una casa que sus padres construyeron en la década de 1970 como un proyecto de fin de semana de unos tres años de duración. Se unió a las fases de construcción durante los descansos de la escuela de posgrado en Harvard, donde se formó como doctora. folclorista/antropólogo general especializado en las culturas de las áreas de habla persa. Con la guerra y el desplazamiento superando a Afganistán e Irán, se involucró en estudios sobre refugiados e inmigración, estudios críticos de género, historia oral y temas de verdad y reconciliación. Enseñó y presidió departamentos académicos en la Universidad de Pensilvania y la Universidad Estatal de Ohio y formó parte de juntas de organizaciones académicas nacionales e internacionales relacionadas. Fan y partidaria de OPAL desde sus inicios, pasando veranos y años sabáticos en Crane Island y jubilándose aquí como residente permanente en 2012, está feliz de poder finalmente unirse a la Junta de OPAL. Ella encuentra las historias de los residentes, el personal y otros miembros de OPAL infinitamente fascinantes y esclarecedores.
Jami Mitchell and her husband, Fabrice van Putten, moved to Orcas in 2002. They bought an OPAL home in 2009 where they have raised their two sons. Jami graduated from Smith College before traveling extensively and then attending graduate school in Spain and eventually completing her Master’s Degree in Austria. On Orcas, Jami was the General Manager of Doe Bay Resort and served on the Funhouse Board of Directors for 6 years. In 2015, Jami began working at the Orcas Senior Center and then joined San Juan County Health & Community Services as the Senior Services Specialist for Orcas. In 2023, Jami was promoted to Human Services Manager for San Juan County, and she joined the OPAL Board of Trustees in 2024. Believing that stable housing is a foundation of well-being on all levels, Jami is excited to offer her talents and perspectives to OPAL in support of housing solutions for the Orcas Island community.
bob morris y su esposa Bonnie han sido residentes de tiempo completo de Orcas durante cuatro años después de vivir en el área de Portland durante casi cuatro décadas. Fue sorprendente para ellos lo rápido que las orcas se convirtieron en su único hogar. Sus dos hijos y sus familias también son del noroeste y los visitan con frecuencia. Los últimos 15 años de la vida laboral de Bob los pasó en el mundo sin fines de lucro, divididos equitativamente entre Oregon Food Bank y Feeding America. Durante 20 años fue miembro de la junta escolar, K-12 y Community College. En su pasado lejano obtuvo un título en Economía del Estado de Arizona. Aquí en Orcas, Bob ha sido un miembro activo de la junta del Banco de Alimentos y él y Bonnie son conductores de Door 2 Door. Se sintieron atraídos por OPAL por la evidente calidad de la organización y la importancia de la misión. La cita favorita de Bob es de Arthur Ashe: "Empieza donde estás, usa lo que tienes, haz lo que puedas".
Mandy Randolph, a lifelong Orcas Island resident, brings both her deep community roots and professional expertise to OPAL’s Board of Trustees. Raised in a family of builders, Mandy has a practical understanding of construction and housing challenges. Her experience as a realtor with TWilliams Realty gives her keen insight into the difficulties local homebuyers face, especially in finding affordable homes. A former Farm to Classroom teacher and outdoor education leader, Mandy is passionate about creating opportunities for middle-income families to stay and thrive on Orcas Island. Her dedication to OPAL’s mission reflects her commitment to ensuring housing remains accessible for islanders.
Ana María Shanks y su esposo Bern compraron su casa en Orcas en 1988 y se convirtieron en residentes permanentes en 2006. Antes de jubilarse en 2009, ocupó cargos administrativos en el gobierno estatal y federal, y en varias organizaciones sin fines de lucro. Su formación académica incluye una licenciatura de la Universidad de Maryland y una maestría de la Universidad de Georgetown. Anne Marie ha servido en varias juntas y comités comunitarios, incluidos LIFT, Local Area Immigrant Family Trust, The Orcas Women's Coalition, Orcas Garden Club, Deer Harbor Community Club y el Comité de revisión del plan de Deer Harbor. En 2018, Anne Marie se unió a la campaña Yes for Homes y ayudó a aprobar el impuesto especial sobre bienes inmuebles que ahora respalda el Fondo de viviendas del condado de San Juan.
PERSONAL
Rachel Arias has worked for OPAL since 2023, first an Accounting Specialist and now as Accountant I, focused on Accounts Payable. Rachel grew up in San Jose, California and moved to Washington in 2017 after graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Accounting. She has a diverse accounting background and invites opportunities to expand on her expertise. Rachel is based in Mount Vernon, WA with her family. She is fluent in Spanish and looks forward to family gatherings in Mexico. She has a passion for growth and development, reading, and enjoys hosting social gatherings. Rachel also serves as a treasurer at her community HOA board and understands the importance of making a difference where you live.
Juana Beck joined the OPAL staff for the second time in 2009. She is the Director of Stewardship and Project Management. Jeanne supervisa la implementación de nuevos proyectos de construcción y renovación, brinda apoyo a las asociaciones de propietarios de viviendas del vecindario, supervisa la empresa de administración de propiedades que opera los apartamentos Lavender Hollow y guía a los propietarios de OPAL a través del proceso para vender sus casas. Antes de este trabajo, Jeanne trabajó como gerente de operaciones, gerente de proyectos o directora ejecutiva para organizaciones sin fines de lucro y con fines de lucro. Fue la primera directora ejecutiva del Funhouse Discovery Center (1998-2006) y también de OPAL Community Land Trust (1990-95). Tiene una licenciatura en Justicia Penal de la Universidad de St. Ambrose y completó un curso de posgrado en economía en la Universidad de Washington.
julie brunner ha sido de OPAL Director de Vivienda desde enero de 2002, trabajando a tiempo parcial. Julie ayuda a los compradores de vivienda a lo largo del proceso de compra de una vivienda, incluida la obtención de financiamiento hipotecario y la instrucción educativa para compradores de vivienda. También brinda asesoramiento financiero a los propietarios de viviendas existentes si surge la necesidad. Además de trabajar para OPAL, Julie dicta cursos para el nacional Red de soluciones conectadas a tierra y trabaja como consultor independiente. Julie ha trabajado en el campo de la vivienda asequible desde 1995 y anteriormente en el servicio social y el desarrollo económico internacional. Tiene una licenciatura del Instituto Politécnico de Virginia y una maestría en planificación urbana y regional de la Universidad de Rutgers.
Lisa Byers ha sido de OPAL Director ejecutivo desde enero de 1996. Antes de trabajar para OPAL, Lisa trabajó como Administradora de Tierras para el Banco de Tierras del Condado de San Juan, y durante 10 años como administradora de tierras y propiedades para la Sociedad para la Preservación de Antigüedades de Nueva Inglaterra (ahora Nueva Inglaterra Histórica), con sede en Boston, Massachusetts. Lisa tiene un AB de Vassar College y un MBA en gestión pública y sin fines de lucro de la Universidad de Boston. En 2006, Lisa fue elegida para servir como la primera presidenta de la Red Nacional de Fideicomiso de Tierras Comunitarias y recibió el premio Amigo de la Vivienda de la Comisión de Financiamiento de la Vivienda del Estado de Washington. Actualmente es miembro de la junta directiva de la Alianza de vivienda de bajos ingresos de Washington.
Jocelyn Cecil trabaja a tiempo parcial como OPAL Assistant Project Manager. She supports current and new projects and is passionate about people and serving her community. She has lived on Orcas Island with her two children and partner for the last decade. She co-owns and manages Holme Restaurant in Eastsound and has spent the last 25 years working in the hospitality industry, most notably in fine dining institutions in the Seattle and New York area.
Qasim Ali Dino has been OPAL’s Communications Manager since 2023. He is a Pakistani American with a background in Fine Arts and Architecture. He graduated from Forman Christian College University in Lahore, Pakistan, with a degree in Fine Arts (Mathematics, Statistics, and Education). He further pursued his passion for architecture and earned a B.Arch. degree from Beaconhouse National University. Qasim has worked with architecture firms in Pakistan, using his architectural education to contribute to design projects. As OPAL’s Communications Manager, he combines his artistic skills with effective communication strategies.
Kim Jaeger joined OPAL in 2023 as Interim Finance Director and now serves as Director of Finance and Administration. She assisted with the transition to new accounting software systems, created and leads the accounting team, and continues to improve standardized procedures and internal controls. Kim has her Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting) from Pennsylvania State University, CPA certification, and MATP (Organizational Development & Change Management). Providing strategic and implementation leadership in nonprofits, Kim’s focus at OPAL is to assist in its ongoing success. She lives in upstate New York, and enjoys yoga, music, multi-cultural travel, and community service.
Suzanne Olson returned to her roots at OPAL in 2024 as the Pea Patch Community Campus Lead after 17 years at OPALCO as Communication Manager. She first came to OPAL and the Community Land Trust Alliance of the San Juan Islands in 2005 as Organizational Storyteller and also served on the OPAL Board of Directors for two terms. With a degree in Writing and Literature from Prescott College, and a career serving non-profit and public sector organizations, Suzanne brings strong writing, organizational development and community engagement skills to the project. Outside of work, Suzanne and her husband manage an orchard and dahlia farm and enjoy boating and exploring the PNW. Suzanne also plays the drums in an all-mother rock and roll band.
Flor Orantes is a Resident Services Counselor at OPAL. Originally from El Salvador, she studied law for two years before moving to the United States in 2001. After living in California for a decade, a vacation on Orcas Island in 2010 led her to relocate here with her family in 2011. Flor’s current role involves assisting the public with housing-related inquiries and guiding them through the application process. Her compassionate nature and dedication make her an invaluable asset in helping individuals and families secure safe and affordable housing.
Natalie Shapiro joined OPAL in July 2024 as Senior Accountant, bringing over 25 years of diverse experience in manufacturing, construction, property management, and real estate accounting. She holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Donetsk State University of Economics and Trade, as well as a degree in Accounting and Finance from Donetsk College of Technology. After relocating to the United States in the 1990s, Natalie applied her expertise to managing accounting services for several real estate investment and property management companies. Outside of work, Natalie enjoys traveling, hiking, snowboarding, and playing volleyball.
Tom Tillman graduated from Orcas High School and went on to earn a BAE in Science Education and an MS in Geology. Over the years, he has worked in various fields, including publishing, electrical contracting, teaching, maintenance, locksmithing, and commercial property management. Tom has been an active member of the community, serving on several boards, including the Orcas Library Board of Trustees and the Northwest Diving History Association. He also volunteered for the Coast Guard Auxiliary for 17 years before retiring. Tom is married to his high school sweetheart, Stephanie Reagles-Tillman, and they have two adult children living on Orcas. In his free time, he enjoys collecting and selling antiques, writing, and researching history, with a focus on folklore and Finnic history through studies at Finlandia University and Pacifica Graduate Institute.
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