Meet our Staff
Administration
Lance Morehouse, Chief Executive Officer
Lance came to Sherwood in August 2013 with 15 years of non-profit experience specific to people with developmental disabilities and their families. He developed the Advocacy and Family Support programs at The Arc of Spokane and for three years was Coordinator of the King County Parent Coalition for Developmental Disabilities at The Arc of King County. He has helped organize grassroots legislative advocacy and directly lobbied elected officials at the local, state and federal levels for services and supports to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families. Lance also has the personal experience of being a parent to two sons with multiple disabilities; Lance Jr. who unfortunately passed away in 2006 at the age of 24 and Gregory who graduated from Lake Stevens High School in 2013. Lance is a long term member of the Legislative Committee for the Community Employment Alliance (CEA), Vocational Committee Chair of the Lake Stevens Rotary, Vice President, Human Services Executive Committee of Snohomish County, a graduate of Leadership Snohomish County’s 2018 Signature Class, and Past President for Lake Stevens Chamber.
Ruth Kwake, Director of Administration
Ruth joined Sherwood in September of 2017 with 10 years of Administrative Management experience with the past 6 years being a Controller for a multi-branch organization. Ruth has enjoyed travel to several countries in a service position and loves working with people to develop their potential. As the Administration Director for Sherwood, Ruth is an active member of the Leadership Team and is responsible for managing the agency’s administrative functions including the administrative office and staff. Ruth also oversees the maintenance and custodial needs for the facility. She is the chairperson of the Safety Committee and is dedicated to the safety of the staff, clients, and guests of Sherwood.
Joy Panks, H/R and Payroll Manager
Joy joined Sherwood in 2010 she has over 7 years Human Resource and Executive Office Management experience. Additionally, she has five years of experience with Facilities/Property Management. As the H/R and Payroll Manager for Sherwood, Joy is a member of the Leadership Team and is responsible for managing human resources, payroll, and employee benefit plans.
Callie Graff, IT Coordinator
Callie joined Sherwood in 2007. She has held a variety of positions at Sherwood and initially started working with infants in Sherwood's childcare center, but currently handles Sherwood's internal IT needs. Outside of work she enjoys growing a veggie garden and spending time with her daughter, husband and dog.
Waly Diagne, Full Charge Bookkeeper
Waly joined Sherwood in September 2018 with 25 years’ experience in Finance Management including 14 in the International humanitarian nonprofit sector in different roles as Regional Finance controller and Business support manager. Waly has traveled within his previous functions in several countries in Africa and Europe. Waly is dedicated to humanitarian work; his main passions are writing stories, music, and practicing bodybuilding.
Early Supports
Anna Gibson, Director of Early Supports Services
Anna joined Sherwood in 2006 as a Family Resource Coordinator/Educator and expanded her career as the Director of Children’s Services in June, 2014. Prior to Sherwood, Anna taught kindergarten in Las Vegas NV and developed classrooms rich in parent and community involvement. She has a Degree in Human Development specializing in early childhood development and care. Anna is an active member of SCAN (Snohomish County Autism Network). This is a collaborative of PCP’s, public health officials, Providence ASD center and EI providers working to improve Diagnostic processes and services for families.Anna enjoys working with families with children birth to 3 who have developmental delays or disabilities.
Laura Crandall, Lead Speech Language Pathologist
Laura came to Sherwood in 1991 after working as a speech pathologist in early supports on the Kitsap Peninsula. She had initially planned to become a physical therapist, but changed her mind after travelling in Europe. Finding that she could communicate with people in several different countries even when they did not share a common language piqued her interest in communication. Laura appreciates working for an agency that constantly adapts and improves and where everyone believes in abilities. She finds empowering parents through parent coaching and recognizing them as the most important teachers in a child’s life very fulfilling. She also thrives on mentoring new therapists and continuing to learn and gain insights through them. Laura enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as camping and just taking in all of the beauty that the pacific northwest offers. She also likes down time with her dogs and training them in agility, nose work and conformation as well as competing with them in local competitions.
Bonnie Lloyd, Lead Family Resource Coordinator
Bonnie came to Sherwood as a Family Resource Coordinator/Speech Language Pathology Assistant in September of 2008. Prior to that time, she spent 13 years as a 911 Dispatcher. The birth of her 4th child, who came with differing abilities, introduced her to the world of special education, and ultimately led her back to school in the interest of becoming an effective advocate for her own child. Her understanding of the value of the role of an FRC to families comes from personal experience and resulted in her actively pursuing an FRC position at Sherwood. Bonnie assumed the role of Lead FRC in May of 2019. Her interests outside of work include spending time with her husband, her adult children, and her dogs, preferably together at the beach.
Grace Ustaris, Lead Educator
Grace joined Sherwood as an Educator/Family Resource Coordinator in September 2008. She came to Sherwood with 12 years of experience working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with special needs in various early supports settings. She has a degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Special Education and started her career in Torrance, CA. She worked there providing special instruction services for children in a clinic-based early supports program. She also worked in after-school therapy programs to help support children with their handwriting and social skills. In 2002, Grace moved to the Pacific Northwest and continued her work as an educator in a center-based early supports program in Snohomish County. While in that position, she also helped to develop an outreach program to support the needs of families in transitional housing (Everett/Tulalip area). Grace assumed the role of Lead Educator at Sherwood in October 2019. After 23 years of teaching, Grace still finds joy in seeing the smile on a child’s face as they learn. Outside of work, Grace enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, sharing recipes, and crafting.
Career and Community Connections
Tania Scott, Director of Career and Community Connections
Tania joined Sherwood in February 2018 with over 17 years of experience in the Human Services field both in Snohomish and King County. Prior to coming to Sherwood Tania specialized in supporting people who experience disabilities with their employment and career aspirations while working in Vocational Services for Service Alternatives Inc. for over 17 years with 8 years of direct management. Tania is passionate about the growth, and knowledge development of herself, team, and customers. Outside of work Tania enjoys being with her family, owning and running her own business, as well as gardening.
Tom Clark, Career and Community Connections Snohomish County Manager
Tom Clark joined Sherwood in June 2018 and has over 8 years’ experience in the Human Services field in Snohomish and King County. Tom comes to Sherwood after 8 years at Service Alternatives, with three of those years as the Program Manager for Vocational Services. Tom started as an Employment Consultant where he used his degree as a mechanical drafter to help design and build assistive devices for clients to improve their job skills. Tom is passionate about helping individuals with disabilities lead successful, productive lives in their communities. Tom enjoys cooking, baking and taking care of his two cats.
Angie Ramsey, Career and Community Connections Island/Skagit County Manager
Angie joined the Sherwood team in August of 2019 with approximately 6 years in the field. Making a positive impact in the lives of the people we serve, their families, and the community is what keeps her coming back for more every day. In her free time Angie enjoys spending time with her family hiking, gardening, reading and enjoying the beautiful PNW.
Cara Cohn, Career and Community Connections San Juan County Manager
Cara Cohn joined Sherwood in October of 2021. She has been working in social services for over 25 years. Most recently she was Program Manager for Washington Vocational Services offering Program Management as well as Supported Employment for 11years. Meeting people where they are and helping to find people’s passions is Cara’s delight. Cara has a rich background in education and music. She enjoys working with individuals to develop playlists that help to modulate their day. Tailored playlist include music that can promotes focus, relieves stress, helps with sleep and supports exercise to name a few. Cara also loves composing, singing, playing piano and guitar. Cara lives living on Orcas Island with her husband Phil and their doodle Olly. She is currently working on creating her own wallpaper.
Lindsay Raitz, Career and Community Connections Skagit County Manager
Lindsay has been in the field for 10 years. Her passion is ensuring that each one of the client’s that Sherwood supports reach their career and community goals and become integrated within their community. Integration and education are Lindsay's biggest priority. I want to be able to be sure that our clients have all the resources they need to be able to participate in community activities, and that they know all of their options and what services are available to them.
Development & Partnership
Jessica Shaw, Director of Development and Partnership
After being the Marketing Specialist at Sherwood for 4.5 years, Jessica has taken on the Director of Investment and Partnership role. Jessica came to Sherwood in August 2018. She's really excited about the opportunity to step up into this role and continue to work with a team she loves. She plans on using her skills and expertise as the Marketing Specialist to bring a fresh perspective to the department, focusing on increased awareness of the impact of Sherwood's services, reinvigorating our communities and supporters, while working with the fellow departments on mission driven success. She brings with her 20+ years of experience in graphic design, advertising and printing and marketing. In addition to being creative, she enjoys getting out into the community, meeting people and networking. She remains excited about the opportunity to help people and positively impact the continued growth of Sherwood in the community and she currently serves on the Emissary Committee for the Marysville Chamber of Commerce. She grew up in Marysville and currently lives there with her husband, Eric and their 2 cats. She enjoys traveling with Eric, spending time with family and friends and loves her Seahawks!
Ilene Levering, Manager of Development and Partnership
Ilene joined Sherwood in July, 2019. A long time Lake Stevens resident, she brings with her an extensive background in the non-profit sector, fundraising and building donor relationships. She is a graduate of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Foundation’s Board and Leadership & Development Program along with Leadership Snohomish County, class of 2020. Ilene is Rotary Club of Lake Stevens Board member, Lake Stevens Education Foundation Board member, an EASC Ambassador and is a member of the American Cancer Society’s Leadership Council. She also serves on the Aquafest board and is a member of BNI-Connection Empire chapter. Ilene was named Rotarian of the year in 2020-2021 by the Rotary Club of Lake Stevens. She lives with her husband Thomas and their 2 cats. She believes in being authentic and building strong partnerships in the communities she serves. She is a gamer, a photographer and enjoys music, art and good friends.
Will McCoy, Marketing Assistant
Will joined Sherwood in January 2023. He has lived in Western Washington all his life, graduating from Western Washington University in 2016. Will spent three years in a marketing position for a hotel in Seattle, as well as a freelance graphic designer. With his creative eye, Will is excited to tell the story of Sherwood and their client’s success. Will lives in Lynnwood with his wife and three cats, and spends his time nerding out reading all things sci-fi and play videogames with his friends and spouse.
Jess Sherritt, Development and Partnership Associate
Jess has a background in Community Outreach, fundraising and event planning with various organizations through employment and volunteering in the last ten years. After life circumstances took her another direction for a period of time, she decided 2023 was time for a career change back to something more fulfilling. Jess is grateful to have found the opportunity at Sherwood and is very excited to be part of such an amazing and vital organization that serves many people in our community.
Jess is passionate and supportive of many causes, especially Human rights, Inclusion and Children. She has worked with organizations and events throughout Snohomish and Skagit county such as American Cancer Society, Arlington WA Pride, and numerous children’s programs. In free time enjoys concerts/music, football, time with friends and family, traveling and new experiences. At the end of the day, Jess loves going to home to her two kids Grey and Hannah, and their cat named Lynx in Arlington.
Brooke Burdick, Development and Partnership Associate
Brooke brings over forty years of experience in marketing communications and business development to Sherwood’s mission. His volunteer experience teaching leadership skills to young adults with developmental disabilities inspired him to join Sherwood in February 2023. Brooke is creating partnerships on Whidbey Island to deepen and broaden Sherwood’s influence in the local community.
​
In addition to his Sherwood affiliation, Brooke is also active in the Whidbey community through a leadership team that provides training for amateur radio operators for disaster response scenarios. He enjoys traveling with his family and resides in Coupeville with his wife and two dogs.