Rebecca C. Dietz

President

Rebecca spent the last fifteen years of her career as an event producer and co-owner of Well Done Events. Prior to that, she worked as an R.N. and a landscape designer. Rebecca began volunteering at NEST in March 2020 and was elected to the board of directors in 2021. She lives in Wedgwood with her husband, and they have two wonderful adult children who are actively pursuing their dreams in New York City and San Francisco.

Leslie Phillips

Secretary

Leslie Phillips, Ph.D., is an epidemiologist who brings a health & safety lens to the NEST Board. She also serves as a Research Director at the SEIU 775 Benefits Group. Leslie received her Master’s in Health and Social Behavior from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and her doctorate from the University of Washington. Leslie is not new to NEST or the NEST Board, sitting on the Board back in 2011 as NEST transitions from an idea to a reality. She is delighted to return to a thriving NEST. After twenty years in Seattle, she feels she has seen it all, including the terror that comes from the Seattle Freeze, the Seattle Squeeze, and most recently the Seattle Sneeze.

Wendy Champagne

Treasurer

Wendy and her husband have been happy residents of Wedgwood for over 27 years and they have two wonderful boys that are off pursuing their dreams. Wendy operates a small bookkeeping business and prior to that she worked in healthcare management after graduating with an MBA/MHA from the University of Washington. Wendy joined NEST over 3 years ago and has served as the Treasurer for the last 2 years. When not volunteering, Wendy enjoys traveling, the outdoors, and time at the puzzle table.

Elizabeth Anderson, MSW, MPH

Elizabeth Anderson (she/her) brings 20+ years of experience in the public and nonprofit sectors, with a special focus on aging and older adulthood. As a freelance consultant, she specializes in supporting local governments with grants management, community programs development, and strategic planning.

Elizabeth's expertise is grounded in a decade of experience working within city-level human services. Her technical knowledge in program administration is enhanced by her training as a licensed social worker providing direct services to individuals and families.



Elizabeth holds dual master's degrees in public health and social welfare from UCLA, along with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Stanford University. She combines her interdisciplinary training and practical experience to help communities thrive and create meaningful, lasting change.

Shirley Bishop

Shirley spent most of her career as staff to non-profit organizations, including as Executive Director of two. She then started and ran an association management company, providing management services to professional and trade organizations (state, national, international). After selling the company, she volunteered as a consultant to non-profits, assisting with strategic planning and governance. In retirement, she is a dedicated walker on the Burke-Gilman Trail, travels, and enjoys time with her grandchildren.

Jack Collins

Jack earned a degree in Political Science from Swarthmore College and a Master’s degree in Governmental Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Jack had a career in city management including an internship in Seward, AK; assistant city manager in Eugene, OR; city manager in Ontario, OR and Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA and culminating as Deputy Mayor for five years during the Royer administration in Seattle.

He then founded a private non-profit (Northwest Small Cities Services) and served for seventeen years as its sole employee. In very small cities, he provided management assistance and served as Interim City Manager in Snohomish and La Conner, WA. Jack later served for five years on the City of Seattle’s Board of Park Commissioners and for eight years on the Washington Park Arboretum and Botanical Garden Committee. In all of these jobs, in local government and in the non-profit sector, Jack wrote and consulted on a lot of government and foundation grants, an experience he hopes to rely on to benefit NEST.

After 58 years of marriage, his wife died of lung cancer in September, 2019. With hospice care, she was able to stay in the home in Northeast Seattle they had lived in for forty years. Jack saw firsthand the value of people staying in their homes and recognized this as a principal reason for NEST’s success. He joined the Board in 2021 and hopes to continue to serve as an active volunteer and to learn how to play pickleball.

Rebecca Crichton

Rebecca Crichton, Executive Director of Northwest Center for Creative Aging (NWCCA) presents programs and resources related to Creative Aging in the Seattle area. She worked for The Boeing Company for 21 years as a writer, curriculum designer and leadership development coach. She facilitated Wisdom Cafes for the King County Library System and writes a regular column for 3rd Act Magazine. She trained as a Hospice Volunteer and facilitated Greif Support Groups for more than 20 years. She has Masters’ degrees in Child Development and Organizational Development and is a Certified Coach.

Andrea Logue Nicolaisen

I recently retired after 30 years as an Elder Law attorney here in Seattle. As such I assisted in guardianships trusts, probates, and estate planning. 6 years ago when my father died, my mother (with Alzheimer’s) moved in with us, which has been a gift full of lessons. I have always been interested in serving the needs of seniors and understand how limited community services are for so many. When I first learned of NEST I thought, “what a great idea!” and looked forward to the time when I could volunteer. That time is now. I look forward to meeting you.

Angela Oberdeck, MSW

Angela joins the board after over a decade of social work positions across the mental health continuum. Whether working in large systems or through individual therapy, one theme remains constant - people need people. While Angela currently focuses on 1:1 therapy in a private practice setting, she has experience navigating care coordination for youth, caregivers, and older adults. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from UW-Milwaukee, with additional certification in Gerontology from the University of Washington. When not at work, she is usually in her garden, on a walk through the neighborhood with her dog, catching a happy hour with her husband, or - most likely - chauffeuring one of her teens to an activity! 

Abby Rosenthal

Abby Rosenthal recently moved to Seattle along with her husband. She joined the NEST Board in the spring of 2023.

She has experience as a consultant, written several documents when at Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and managed and written grants for an assortment of non-profit and community agencies. She has experience working with older adults, and agencies serving this population. Her background includes working in Tobacco Control, Blood Pressure Management, AIDS, and Cardiovascular Health. Abby has served on several boards and advisory groups and enjoys photography, being outdoors, and working in the community to coordinate initiatives.

Andrea Sadlier Holman

Andrea is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and deeply committed to contributing back to her local community. She moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, where she met her husband, and fell in love with the area. After earning her bachelor’s degree, Andrea pursued a Master’s in Counseling, further honing her skills in communication and empathy.

Her early career primarily focused on continuing education, helping adults achieve their academic goals—whether it was earning a specialized certificate or pursuing a graduate degree. Andrea’s passion for community service led her to volunteer with NEST before joining the board in 2024. In addition to her work with NEST, she actively volunteers in the local schools, contributing her time to enhance the educational experiences for students. When she’s not working, you’ll find her playing indoor soccer, paddle boarding, solving crossword puzzles, or enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest beaches. Andrea resides in the View Ridge area with her husband, two school-age children, and their beloved “foster fail” cat.

Andy Smallman

Andy Smallman, principal of Seattle's Spring Academy, has over 35 years of experience empowering young people, particularly those whose needs fall outside mainstream educational settings, to recognize their value. His compassionate approach fosters self-discovery and respect. Andy is also known for promoting kindness and social-emotional learning, evidenced by his roles in founding the innovative Puget Sound Community School and being an advisor to the internationally known Compassion Games. A Washington State certified teacher with Special Education endorsements and an MA in Human Development, Andy is a sought-after speaker on positivity and parenting. Andy's dedication to creating positive impacts drives him to help individuals connect with their true nature and cultivate peace.  

Alex Strazzanti

After receiving his MSW from Washington University in St. Louis, Alex moved to Northeast Seattle in 1998. Throughout his social work career he has worked primarily in mental health research, vocational rehabilitation for people with disabilities, special event planning, and fundraising. He re-discovered his passion for photography in 2003 and has been self-employed as a professional photographer for over two decades.

As a strong advocate of community building, he has also organized and managed a variety of projects in Seattle, including opening an art gallery in Wallingford, creating a wellness workshop series, designing a card game for foodies and co-directing the Wedgwood Art Festival. When not working, he enjoys kayaking, cooking and planning trips. He is really looking forward to the ways he can help NEST grow in the coming years.

Our Wonderful Staff

Chris Alin

Director of Operations

chris@nestseattle.org



Born and raised in the Emerald City, Chris is a true Seattleite – a rare gem in today’s ever-changing cityscape. A graduate of the University of Washington, she brings well over a decade of experience in operational leadership, program development, and team management across a range of sectors, including nonprofit, education, and administrative operations in both public and private settings.

Whether overseeing day-to-day logistics, optimizing internal workflows, or managing multi-layered projects, Chris has a deep commitment to operational excellence and mission-driven results. Her recent work in the senior living industry has been especially meaningful, combining her passion for supporting older adults with her knack for problem-solving and coordination. She is known for her hands-on leadership style, thoughtful communication, and ability to navigate complexity with empathy and efficiency.

Outside of work, Chris is a proud mom to two young men and a lovable, goofball of a dog. She enjoys staying active through health and fitness, experimenting in the kitchen, and savoring quality time with her family in their Wallingford neighborhood.

Ellen Royal-Ward

Volunteer Volunteer Coordinator



Ellen has been a part of NEST since 2015 when she began volunteering driving members to appointments, visiting, going for walks, playing games, and helping with housework. She quickly became interested in the process of training new volunteers and has headed up that part of NEST for the last six years. Ellen volunteers part-time in the office to assist with onboarding new volunteers and maintaining our database. Ellen loves NEST and its vital and fun role in the communities of North Seattle.