Fay Allison (she/her)
Chief Financial Officer (Outgoing)
Fay joined MFS in 1987 one year out of college as a bookkeeper.
At MFS, Fay has worked at every level in the finance department and has been leading the team as CFO for over 20 years. Throughout her career, Fay has been proud to support MFS by making sure the funding is used in the most beneficial way for the communities we serve, while assuring compliance and accountability to our funders.
Fay is a native Oregonian, received her undergraduate degree from the Oregon Institue of Technology, in Klamath Falls Oregon.
Tony and Fay Allison live in Hillsboro Oregon. Fay is an avid sports fan, with a passion for the Oregon Ducks. She also enjoys golfing with her family and camping in their RV.
Matt Bartolotti (he/him)
Chief Strategy Officer/Deputy CEO
Matt is a father, husband, exercise enthusiast and has served as the CSO/DCEO since 2012. Matt is passionate about the intersection of systems transformation and personal development in service to social justice. Matt discovered his enthusiasm for systems change in the nonprofit sector when he had the opportunity to be part of a team that helped children heal from past trauma. This team taught Matt that strong relationships and a psychologically safe work culture were directly tied to the outcomes important to our communities and expected from our organizations. Matt has worked in the social service sector for over 25 years, grateful to serve in a wide variety of roles including direct services and personal care to serving in senior leadership positions and developing Statewide policy and legislation. As the Chief Strategy Officer & Deputy CEO, Matt is responsible for Strategic Planning, Development, Impact and Evaluation and supporting MFS’s DEIJ journey.
Geoff Brusca (he/him)
Director of Data Governance and Impact
Geoff got his start in social services working in community-based youth mentoring, and he joined MFS in 2015 after completing a nonprofit management MBA at the University of Portland. He chose that training because he believes nonprofits can be made more effective if they have the best information and tools to fight poverty and promote racial justice.
Geoff's passion is using data to discover which interventions truly help reduce inequality and how those interventions can be implemented in ways that are responsive to the needs and desires of the communities MFS serves. He works to create data gathering and analysis systems that are relevant, informative, and rooted in day-to-day lived experience. He strongly believes that using the best evidence makes for the most effective programs and the most meaningful improvements in people's lives.
An expat Midwesterner, Geoff grew up in St. Louis and is a diehard fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He received his undergraduate degree at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he had enough of winter. He fled to Portland for the better weather, and now he never wants to leave. His new favorite thing is big, looping urban bike rides that touch all 5 PDX quadrants (with lots of coffee breaks built in). Geoff lives in NE Portland with his wife and two delightful daughters, one of whom described his job as "nonprofit math, graph person or whatever."
Amy Corbett (she/her)
Chief Program Officer
Amy joined MFS in 2002 after serving a year as an AmeriCorp Member with MFS at Lane Middle School as a Family Engagement Coordinator. Before coming to MFS Amy taught American Politics at Concordia University part time. At MFS Amy Coordinated and Managed Family Support and Economic Empowerment Programs and helped start our early learning programs that are now part of Ready, Set, Go! Amy moved into the role of Chief Program Officer in 2015.
In her oversight of programs, Amy has worked to improve cross program collaboration within MFS and inter-agency partnerships that provide our participants with opportunities for success in social emotional development, academics, social connection, and economic security while looking for opportunities to advocate for systems changes that impact the root causes of social and economic injustice.
Amy grew up in NE Portland, receiving an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Oregon State University. Amy received her Masters degree from UCLA in Political Theory and Comparative Politics. Amy serves as a Governance Member of the Early Hub of Clackamas County.
Amy lives in SE Portland with her husband Tim, and her dog Della. Amy loves to golf and spend time with her two children and her two grandchildren who live nearby.
Riley Eldredge (he/him)
Director, MFS CASH Oregon
Riley Eldredge is the Director of MFS-CASH Oregon and started working on the CASH Oregon project in 2016. Riley has long been passionate and interested in work around economic justice. He has been involved with non profit administration specifically within economic empowerment programs for over 10 years. He first first started as an Americorps serving with the Oregon State Service Corps with a project centered on small business development in Portland. Since then he has held many positions ranging from overseeing small business technical assistance, grant programs, to organizing free tax preparation.
Riley grew up outside of Portland in a small town in the Mt Hood National forest. He went to school at the University of Oregon where he received his Bachelor's degree. Upon graduating Riley had the opportunity to teach English abroad for several years with ages ranging from 3 to 65.
When not at work you can find Riley spending quality time with his two cats, cheering on the Timbers, and geeking out on maps + history + vexillology.
Tamara Falls (she/her)
Chief Advocacy and Equity Officer
Tamara Falls (she/her) joined MFS in 2021. In her role as the MFS Chief Advocacy and Equity Officer, her work is focused on program participant engagement, advocating for programs and policies that support underrepresented and underserved communities, and ensuring MFS programs, policies, and services are equitable and inclusive. She has spent over fifteen years working in social service fields to engage with underserved and underrepresented populations and has experience as a trainer and adjunct instructor in the fields of diversity, equity, and inclusion, sociology, and adverse childhood experiences and trauma informed care. She currently serves as the Board President for the Oregon Public Health Association, and is a member of the Northwest Racial Equity Leaders project, The Early Childhood Coalition, and The Children’s Agenda.
Tamara is originally from Montana and received her BA in Psychology from the University of Montana an in Human Services, with an emphasis in Social and Community Services from Capella University.
She is the mother of two daughters and one son. She loves running, yoga, live music, baking, and good conversation with friends and family.
Laura Heller (she/her)
Senior Program Manager
Older Adult Services
Laura joined MFS in 2012, and is the Senior Program Manager for Older Adult Services. She has worked with older adults and people with disabilities over several decades in social service and community mental health organizations, leading innovative new and existing programs that support participant and volunteer engagement, intergenerational connections, and physical and mental health and wellness. Laura is a licensed clinical social worker, and she welcomes new MSW student interns to MFS each year, providing supervision and training, learning and cross-program opportunities that support their academic work.
Laura is originally from Washington, D.C, received an undergraduate degree from Kenyon College in Ohio, and a Master of Social Work degree from Portland State University. She serves on several MFS and area partner committees, including Age-Friendly Portland Employment and the Economy, and volunteers with Lines for Life (988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) call center.
Laura lives in Portland with her family, and she enjoys gardening and paddling with an outrigger canoe and dragon boat team.
Nikki Hunt (she/her)
Development Director
Nikki J Hunt joined Metropolitan Family Service in September 2022 as the Development Director. She brought with her over twenty years of experience working in the nonprofit sector. Many of her positions included responsibility for various aspects of development and, most recently, she was the Development Director for a legal aid in Arizona.
As the Director of Development, Nikki works to ensure MFS has the resources needed to support programs, services and operations, while applying MFS’ approach to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. This work includes “big picture” strategic thinking and planning as well as nuts and bolts “hands on” work, with all of work being rooted in cultivating and caring for human connections.
Nikki is a bridge builder who puts relationships first in all areas of her life and work. “Our human super power is our ability to work together—to solve problems, grieve losses, and celebrate successes. When we are open to hearing and honoring each other’s heart stories, opportunities for collective and individual flourishing can expand exponentially.”
Nikki’s unique training journey includes: BA in Political Science, Masters of Public Administration, Masters of Divinity, and training as an Alternatives to Violence Program (AVP) group facilitator.
Nikki is also a poet and a writer. She lives with her husband Joe, and their dog Yoda and loves taking daily walks along the Willamette river.
Sandra Jones (she/her)
Director of Program Collaborations
Sandra joined MFS in 2018, and is the Senior Program Collaboration Manager. She started at MFS as part of the Schools Uniting Neighborhoods Program and now oversees the Albina-Rockwood Promise Neighborhood Initiative, as well as the Successful Families Initiative. She also serves as the project manager for the Innovation Grant that MFS received, as part of the Portland Clean Energy Fund. Currently, she is also the Interim Program Manager for MFS’s Economic Empowerment Program.
She grew up in Hong Kong and Hawaii and received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Sandra began her career in the financial field, but soon realized that serving the community and focusing on education were overpowering passions. She began volunteering in the schools, became a dyslexia tutor, as well as a Title I instructor. She has been working with historically underserved and rapidly changing demographic school districts and neighborhoods, for approximately 15 years.
Sandra is part of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Committee at MFS. She also is the co-chair for the Student Engagement and Leadership Committee at All Hands Raised, Portland, Oregon; is on the Board of Directors for the Metro East Web Academy, Gresham, Oregon and was on the panel for “Implementing Trauma-Informed Responses, Services and Practices in Schools” for the 2022 Promise Neighborhoods and Full-Service Community Schools National Network Conference, in partnership with the U.S Department of Education.
Sandra is a proud mom to a 22 and 23 year old. She loves to create dishes in the kitchen, work in her garden, knit, paint, play the piano and listen to all kinds of music and explore new neighborhoods and foods! And there’s always a special place in her heart for animals!
Jennifer Mangieri (she/her)
Senior Grants Manager
Jennifer started her MFS career in 2002 as the Program Coordinator for Project Linkage. In 2004 she moved into the role of Grants Coordinator and is now Senior Grants Manager.
Jennifer has spent most of her career in nonprofits and local government administration.
Jennifer lived in various US states and abroad growing up. She has a BA in English Literature from Quinnipiac University, Connecticut. She is a past president and current member of the Oregon and SW WA Chapter of the national Grant Professionals Association; and has served on the Board of Aurora Chorus in Portland, of which she is former singer.
Jennifer and Joe Mangieri live in NE Portland with their cat, Chaz. Jennifer is navigating elder care and support for her mom who is receiving skilled nursing facility care in Gresham. Jennifer loves reading, movies, friend time, and meandering around the Portland area to discover public art and good food.
Matthew McHarness (he/him)
Senior IT Manager
Bio coming soon!
Susan Posner (she/her)
Chief Human Resources Officer
Susan Posner is the Chief Human Resources Officer for MFS and joined MFS in 2003. Susan has worked in various HR capacities since 1989. Susan joined MFS and created the Human Resources Department and developed the processes, policies and procedures that continue to support the success of our employees and volunteers who provide the outstanding work in our communities. Susan works with a team of two HR Coordinators who support the goals of the MFS Human Resources Department. Susan is also a member of the MFS Executive Team.
Susan was born in Michigan and raised in Northern California. She has been a proud Oregonian since 1994. Susan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University and completed some graduate studies in Counseling and in Organizational Psychology at SFSU. Susan has been a certified HR professional since 1995 and hold certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources Management from the Human Resources Certification Institute and as a Society of Human Resources Management – Senior Certified Professional. Susan also holds a Certificate in Human Resources Management from Portland State University. Susan has provided volunteer support to the Portland Human Resources Management Association chapter in Portland. She also served as a volunteer in the School of Business – HR Management at PSU serving as an evaluator for senior projects from students who are graduating with degrees in HR Management. Susan has also served as a volunteer with the Oregon Humane Society and the MFS Project Linkage program.
Susan is the proud mother to an adult daughter who lives in Montana. She is also the proud fur parent to three cats. Susan loves to hike, and enjoys the outdoor beauty that surrounds us in Oregon. The Oregon Coast is her most happy place. Susan loves to read and particularly enjoys reading historical biographies as well as contemporary biographies. Susan loves musical theater and travel. She is lives on the westside of the Portland Metro area.
María Quijano (they/she)
Senior Early Learning Program Manager, MFS Ready, Set, Go!
María Quijano has over 10+ years experience in Early Childhood Education and is proud to be Latine, bicultural, and bilingual (Spanish & English). Originally from Southern California, María moved to Portland, OR in 2013 where she joined MFS as an AmeriCorps member working in the early learning program Ready, Set, Go! (RSG!). In 2014 María opened the first Ready, Set, Go! classroom in Multnomah County and is now the Senior Early Learning Program Manager. RSG! now has eight classrooms across Multnomah and Clackamas County and a home visiting service. They have shared their experience as an educator by presenting for CCR&R, at the Oregon Parent Educators Conference (OPEC), Oregon Migrant Education Program Conference, and most recently at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). They believe in the importance of being a culturally responsive, anti-bias, and anti-racist early learning program.
“Love builds brains and so building trusting and equitable relationships with our students, families, staff, and community can help us get to a place of love and empathy. Love and empathy can radically change the way we view and relate to one another. Wishing to move the needle forward one conversation and interaction at a time towards a more equitable society.”
María got their BA in Child, Youth, and Family Studies from Portland State University and has been part of Avanza’s Leadership Program for Latino Young Adults.
They enjoy listening to music, attending live performances, cuddling with their two senior dogs, and trying new yummy foods!
Richard Seals (he/him)
Chief Financial Officer (Incoming)
Prior to joining MFS, Richard was the Chief Financial Officer for the nonprofit organization, Portland Opera. For the last seven years, he has held this executive-level position providing strategic thinking and clear communication to all constituencies, as well as managing the day-to-day finance, accounting, information technology, human resources, risk management, administration, and facility operations. Richard manages audits, budgets, financial policies, and develops long-range financial goals and strategic objectives. He is the primary liaison on all financial reporting to the board, the bankers, the auditors, and the finance committee.
Prior to this experience, Richard spent twenty years in the nonprofit world of government as CFO, controller, and finance director level positions with the city of West Linn, the city of Lake Oswego, and the Oregon State Lottery.
Richard holds undergraduate degrees in accounting and information systems management and a master’s degree in business administration from California State University East Bay. He started his professional career with Price Waterhouse and actively holds five professional certifications: certified public accountant, certified management accountant, certified financial manager, certified fraud examiner, and chartered global management accountant - CPA, CMA, CFM, CFE, and CGMA.
Richard was nominated as the CFO of the Year in the nonprofit category by the Portland Business Journal.
Richard lives in Lake Oswego with his wife Michaelyn, their son Michael, Grammy, and their goldendoodle Duncan. Richard and company love to spend time on the Oregon beach in their spare time.
Judy Strand (she/her)
Chief Executive Officer
Judy joined MFS in 2005 after a two decade career in community mental health, starting in direct clinical work that led to innovating new ways to reach and treat older adults with mental health needs. At MFS, Judy provided leadership for programs and overall operations as Chief Operating Officer until 2012, when she moved into the role of CEO.
Throughout her career, Judy has put her energy into efforts that improve and expand access and inclusivity in order to build a resilient and just community, which is core to the mission of MFS.
“I have heard people say that they had a chance to do something they never had imagined they could do because of MFS. It might be being able to read for the first time, getting their family’s first loan approval, or being able to get transportation needed in later years…it is an honor to be part of an organization that opens up access to pivotal resources for so many people in our community.”
Judy is originally from NJ, received her undergraduate degree from the College of Wooster, Ohio, and received her MSW at Portland State University. She serves on the All Hands Raised Partnership Council, Portland, Oregon; is Co-Chair for the Multnomah County Schools Uniting Neighborhoods Service System, and is an Oregon American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow.
Judy and Jack Strand own Strand Tea Company, and live in the foothills of Mt. Hood with their cats. Judy is an avid singer, and enjoys painting watercolors when time and space allow!
Darrin Swaim (he/him)
Director of Communications
Darrin Swaim joined MFS in 2010 as a licensed teacher in the MFS Community Schools department. For almost 3 years, Darrin worked as the Program Site Manager at Parklane Elementary School – supporting students and families through a variety of program and wrap-around services before becoming the organization’s Director of Communications in 2013. Prior to MFS, Darrin has 10+ years of strategic national and local communications and marketing experience in the high-tech industry.
Darrin was born in Long Beach, California and raised in Salem, Oregon. Darrin has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley (Go Bears!) – with a double major in Mass Communications and Sociology. In 2010 Darrin received his MAT from the University of Portland, Oregon.
As the Director of Communications, Darrin has what he describes as “…the best job in the world! I get to focus on highlighting the absolutely amazing impact our expert MFS Staff have on our community on a daily basis! It’s pretty wonderful to have the opportunity to generate attention for this important work – and through that awareness, garner even more support for even more people in our community!”
Darrin is the proud son of Mike and Kellie Swaim, a grateful fur parent of two wonderful cats, and the super proud uncle of an amazing Niece and Nephew (Go Eagles High School Soccer!) Darrin loves traveling and taking candid photos that try to express beauty and art through common or unremarkable moments. Darrin lives on the eastside of Portland, and enjoys both the mountains and the beaches in the PNW.
Monica Wirtz (she/her)
Director of Social Enterprise and Social Purpose Works
Monica joined MFS in 2008 to coordinate MFS' new fundraiser and dinner discussion series, A Gathering of Good. Through her years at MFS, she has served as event coordinator, development manager, interim director of development, and director of development operations. Since 2019 she has directed Social Purpose Works, an innovative social enterprise that recruits and matches highly skilled volunteers from around the world with short-term, high-impact strategic projects for nonprofits based in Oregon.
She also serves the organization in an operations capacity, researching, developing, training and implementing tools and systems so colleagues can focus on program delivery, building relationships and innovating toward our vision. Monica supports several programs/initiatives with project management and graphic design. She relishes any opportunity to collaborate with and learn from her coworkers.
Monica is from the Home of the Ducks and is a graduate of UO, having been a saxophonist and field instructor in the 260-piece marching band. She received her MS in Education: Community Counseling from Portland State University (and played bari sax while she was there).
Monica is an avid amateur astronomer, a pretty good gardener, and horrible singer. She enjoys making mischief with her three adult kids, design and photography, traveling, dancing in public or in the living room, organizing people's junk drawers, and making things happen, preferably behind the scenes.
Meghan Zook (she/her)
Director of Community Schools
Bio coming soon!