|
David Schlesinger,
Executive Director
Born and raised on Long Island, NY, David received his Bachelors degree from the University of Oregon and his Masters in Social Work from the University of Washington. He has worked in developmental disabilities programs in King County since 1978, becoming the executive director of EES in 1986.
David has a high regard and affinity for the people working in this field. "I get great personal satisfaction from seeing that the work we do impacts the lives of so many people – both those who come to us for service and their co-workers who are positively affected by working relationships."
Karyn Lynch, Program
Manager
Karyn originates from Boston and began her career in the field of disability as a Special Education teacher. She has taught in Virginia, Massachusetts and San Francisco.
She has been involved in different capacities with Supported Employment since the 1980s and joined the EES team in 1993. Having a brother with a disability inspired Karyn to work with people and their families, helping each reach their employment goals. "I get very energized by the collective talents of my co-workers. I feel fortunate to be able to work with such a dynamic and dedicated group of people."
Elmer Holland,
Program
Manager
On staff at EES since 1991, Elmer serves as the Senior Employment Coordinator. Although born in Fresno, California, he called many places home – from Boston to Japan – during his father’s military career. Elmer attended the University of Washington, and joined EES during a period of his life when he was seeking a career change that offered personal rewards. He’s found those rewards in assisting EES participants maximize their professional and personal potential.
Lisa Fox, Project
Manager
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Lisa received her
BA in Speech Communication with an emphasis in marketing from
Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame in Indiana. She was
inspired to make a career move from Microsoft to EES by a
co-worker with a developmental disability and joined EES in
1995. She believes that EES is an agency with a heart and
that all the staff bring heart-felt dedication to their work.
Tom Jacobs, Employment
Coordinator
Tom, who is a native of Seattle, earned a NROTC scholarship
to the University of Washington and was commissioned as an
officer in the U.S. Naval Service in 1978. He received his
Bachelors degree in Business Administration with an emphasis
in Business Organization.
Tom has worked as an employment
coordinator for EES since 1996. He chose supported employment
as a career because he
was intrigued by the challenge of finding meaningful and
rewarding work for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Tom believes the basis of a healthy community is including
everyone as valued and productive members. “Each of
us has unique gifts that can enhance the lives of others.”
Steve Engel,
Employment Coordinator
An Employment Coordinator for EES, Steve is a dedicated caregiver,
a trait which he figures runs in his family’s genes.
He became interested in social work while traveling in England
where he worked in a hospital for six months. Upon returning
to Seattle, Steve worked in a drug and alcohol rehab center
for teens before going into long term nursing care as a CNA.
He was studying to be come a nurse when he began employment
at an independent living agency, and after five years there
he joined EES in 1999.
He especially enjoys the "eclectic mix" of co-workers
at EES who stimulate interesting communication and new ways
of thinking, all of which help to inspire his daily interaction
with EES participants.
Winnie Tat,
Employment Coordinator
Winnie, who joined EES in 2000, has a six-year-old son with
autism. As a parent who has faced special needs issues ranging
from education and medical care to employment and family support,
Winnie is devoted to building a bridge between EES and Asian
families with special needs.
Fluent in several Asian languages and familiar with their
cultures, she is a well-known activist in the Asian community.
She is involved in the Parent to Parent support group of the
Arc of King County and is also a community guide at the Department
of Developmental Disabilities.
Danielle Clarneaux,
Office Manager/Public Relations Coordinator
Danielle, who joined EES in 1998, functions as
both the office manager and public relations coordinator
for EES. Her teammate and assistant is Rosie, her German
shepherd service dog whose keen hearing helps compensate
for Danielle’s auditory loss.
Danielle has a 20-year background in the publishing field,
including five years as a newspaper reporter/editor and ten
as the editor of a national magazine for women pilots. Because
of her own disability, she felt that EES would be a perfect
environment in which to work, and she appreciates the greater
insight she’s gained into disability issues.
Karen Finlay,
Employment Coordinator
Karen studied social and behavorial sciences at Linfield
College in Oregon where she worked in social services for
over 15 years. Before joining EES in 2003, she was with the
Beaverton School District for 10 years and then worked in
vocational and residential programs in Corvallis. Her extensive
experience gives her an even greater appreciation of her
co-workers and their dedication to helping their clients
become successfully employed.
Actually, Karen has two college
degrees; her first was in Veterinary Technology. She especially
values the time she
spends with her two dogs and her family.
Larisa Lindemann,
Employment Coordinator
Larisa has lived in Washington State since 1982 after receiving a Bachelors Degree
in Hearing and Speech Science and an MA in Speech Pathology. Following eight
years as a Special Education Communication Disorders Specialist in Juneau, Alaska,
she worked as a home health care Speech Pathologist for nine years in Washington
State.
Assisting people with disabilities has always been a gratifying
experience for Larisa, and she feels fortunate to be part
of a dedicated staff committed to providing meaningful
client services.
Greta Kelleher,
Employment Coordinator
Greta Kelleher is a Washington native and lives with her family in Monroe. As a successful parent advocate, she found her way through the maze of sometimes confusing services provided by the special education department in the public school arena. She became especially interested in the transition phase from high school to work.
Greta decided to return to school herself, studying in the field of Social and Human Services. She completed a school-supported, hands-on internship at EES, after which she joined the full-time staff as an Employment Coordinator. “I feel especially grateful to be a part of an exceptionally talented group of people,” says Greta.
Laura Lagerstedt,
Employment Coordinator
Laura grew up in and around the greater Seattle area and currently lives in the Crossroads community of Bellevue. She is a graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in Anthropology, a minor in Music and extensive coursework in the field of education with an emphasis in Special Ed.
Before coming on board with Eastside Employment Services, she worked as a Group Program Coordinator with Camp Fire USA (a Youth Enrichment Program), where she worked to achieve the mission of “building caring, confident youth and future leaders.” She enjoys continuing this mission through EES and their various programs such as School To Work.
In her spare time, Laura pursues her passion of music by singing and playing guitar with a band called Shades of Red.
|
