NW Children’s Foundation has become a leading voice in child welfare – aligning resources, organizations and passionate individuals committed to ending child abuse and neglect.
VICTORIA PEATTIE HELM
Chief Executive Officer
vhelm@nwcf.org
Victoria Helm began her tenure as director of NW Children’s Foundation in 2003, succeeding Mary Ketcham Kerr, one of the organization’s founders and its first executive director. Because her childhood years were spent in Japan, Victoria’s career began in the international arena. Previous positions included working at an international bank as strategic planner and marketing officer, both in Tokyo and in New York, running her own cross-cultural consulting company, and directing an international center at the University of Washington Business School.
Victoria then redirected her focus and brought her experience in management, development and grantmaking to serving at-risk children. Before joining NW Children’s Foundation, she was the Director of Development for a K-8 school for dyslexic learners. Herself a mother of two, Victoria has an intense concern for children’s welfare and believes that every child deserves the best possible start in life. In her role as director of NW Children’s Foundation, she is able to apply her personal passion to her professional work.
LORI LEFF MUELLER
Chief Operating Officer
lmueller@nwcf.org
Lori’s resume includes stints as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, book editor and business owner, but she is most enthusiastic about her work in support of nonprofits and community philanthropy. Before joining the NW Children’s Foundation staff in 2013, she had served in numerous capacities on a multitude of nonprofit boards in Seattle and abroad, including 11 years on the NWCF Board. Lori holds degrees in English and education from WSU and a JD from Harvard Law School.
ADRIENNE HEILE
Chief Program Officer
aheile@nwcf.org
Prior to joining NW Children’s Foundation in 2021, Adrienne spent over 30 years in leadership within the insurance and financial services industry. She has a deep passion for social justice and equity for all children. Adrienne brings a history of collaborating with stakeholders to develop and implement impactful programming to build stronger communities. Adrienne holds a Bachelor’s in Accounting (University of Tulsa) and a Master’s in Financial Services (The American College).
ANNIE RAMIREZ
Development Director
aramirez@nwcf.org
Prior to joining NWCF in May 2022, Annie spent 12 years raising funds for non-profits, 10 of which were specifically for human services agencies. Most recently, she spent the last three years as the Development Director for Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN), a non-profit that supports, empowers, and shelters domestic violence survivors and their children. Coming from a low-income Hispanic family and having to overcome systemic barriers to achieve her dreams, she is most passionate about serving organizations who provide help and hope for families also facing systemic barriers such as poverty and racism. Specifically, she is a fierce advocate for women’s rights and ending the generational cycles of both child abuse and homelessness. Originally from Texas, she has called the PNW home since 2016.
Annie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Texas – San Antonio, and a Master’s degree in Social Anthropology from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. In her spare time, Annie enjoys spin class, adventures with her two rescue dogs, watching movies, and is an avid reader. Annie also enjoys serving the community as a Rotarian.
JENNY MANZA
Communications Director
jmanza@nwcf.org
Jenny Manza joined NW Children’s Foundation in 2021. She has more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit communications and fundraising and cares deeply about health equity and accessibility. She spent the past 15 years working at Jumping Mouse Children’s Center, a nonprofit dedicated to providing mental health care to children in rural Jefferson County, Washington. Most recently, she served as Jumping Mouse’s Executive Director after 12 years as Development Director.
Jenny loves to use effective communication to inspire, engage, and connect with different audiences. She is the mom of two teenagers and an avid knitter, reader, and novice piano player. She lives in Port Townsend with her family.
JASMINE GLEASON
Development & Operations Associate
jgleason@nwcf.org
Born and raised on the island of Maui, Jasmine received her BA degree in Psychology while working full-time with youth at a Salvation Army Boy’s Home. Having faced several ACEs growing up, she made it one of her life goals to help children, youth and families who also faced adversity. In 2018, seeking more opportunity and a faster pace, Jasmine and her husband made the big move to Washington. Continuing with her goal in mind, Jasmine searched for organizations to volunteer with and found NW Children’s Foundation. After volunteering for a few events-she was informed a position opened up, and not long after she became a part of the NWCF team!
Jasmine’s hobbies include paddling with the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club, going to the gym with her husband, creative writing, iPhone photography, and binge watching Netflix.
RITA MCARDLE
Development & Operations Associate
rmcardle@nwcf.org
A Pacific Northwest native, Rita grew up on South Whidbey Island and has lived in Seattle since attending college at University of Washington. After graduating with a BA in English, she taught preschool for 10 years. She then intended to teach English as a Foreign Language in Korea, but when the pandemic hit, she turned to nannying and tutoring young children full-time. Eventually she decided to follow her dreams of working with a non-profit and took a temporary position with Fred Hutch. Her real passion has always been helping children, and the stars aligned when she was given the opportunity with NWCF. Outside of work, Rita’s favorite things are her dog, writing, hobby-jumping, camping, gardening, and kiddos (especially her young niece and nephew).