Our Board
We're here because we care. Board Members and Partners stay because we see the continuing efficacy of Etta Projects.
All administrative costs are funded by monies raised by the Board, and all donations are sent directly to projects in Bolivia.
Etta Projects Board of Directors
Pennye Nixon-West, Executive Director trained and practiced as a Child, Family and Marriage Therapist before directing Etta Projects. In summer 2009, Pennye was awarded the RESULTS Kitsap Peninsula Global Humanitarian Award for her work with global poverty issues. In March 2008 she was awarded the International Woman of the Year Award by the city of Montero, Bolivia. She has guided a graduate practicum in humanitarian projects for Northwest College and served as a founding board member of Seattle's Women Advancing Microfinance chapter. Residing in Port Orchard, Washington, she is a regular keynote speaker for Rotary clubs in Washington, British Columbia, Michigan, Wisconsin and other philanthropic organizations interested in humanitarian work. Her role as Etta's mom has been one of her greatest honors. Ms. Nixon-West's primary interests are bringing long-term, positive impact to communities through participatory practices and sustainable programs.
Sue Wallace, President, is the Global Sourcing Professional at PATH, an international nonprofit organization that creates sustainable, culturally relevant solutions, enabling communities worldwide to break longstanding cycles of poor health. PATH currently works in more than 70 countries in the areas of health technologies, maternal and child health, reproductive health, vaccines and immunization, and emerging and epidemic diseases. Ms. Wallace currently serves on the board of Etta Projects and is a former United Way of Kitsap County board member. She is the recipient of the Washington State Governors award for Community Partnership in Employment for her work with the Welfare to Work Program.
John Holttum, MD, Vice President, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, is currently Chief of Pediatric Psychiatry at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma. He also works part time in public mental health, and provides training seminars to school districts, law enforcement agencies, physicians, and mental health organizations. John has been fortunate to work in many youth advocacy, education, and health organizations since 1981. His experience ranges from outreach work with Seattle's street kids to treating immigrant farm workers in the National Health Service Corps. He was immediately drawn to Etta Projects' powerful mission and methods, and is proud to serve on the board. John lives in Olympia with his wife and 3 children.
Laurie Tinker, Secretary, BSN, BA and MA in Psychology, has devoted her professional and volunteer life to health care, education and social justice. She has worked professionally in diverse areas of clinical and administrative nursing, Montessori education and Human Resources. She is married with three young adult children, and is passionate about her work with the Etta Projects.
Larry Berebitsky, Treasurer, Certified Public Accountant, was introduced to Etta Projects through his membership with the Rotary Club of South Kitsap during the development of Etta Turner Park in Port Orchard, Washington. Larry joined the board in 2004. He is currently employed as a CPA for Cox & Lucy in Port Orchard.
Rich Person, Board Member, has been involved with Etta Projects since 2006. A seasoned business executive who lends his expertise and energy, he is Chairman & CEO, DNS Enterprise, Inc, and from 2001-2005 Chairman and CEO of Poindexter Systems, now X+1. Mr. Person has also held positions as managing partner at Mullen and Hill, Holiday where he successfully built, and rapidly grew, Internet and database marketing business divisions generating significant revenue growth for both companies. Rich is married with two children. Rich holds a BA in Political Science from Northeastern University.
Janice Bougher, Board Member, is a Psychiatric Clinician at the Amen Clinic in Tacoma. She's also worked as the Assistant Director of an international adoption agency, and as a Guardian Ad Litem representing the best interests of children in custody cases. In addition to her professional experience, she brings to Etta Projects a passion for its roots and its mission. As a longtime family friend she knew and treasured Etta, and is ever-conscious of the spirit of her inspiration in all that Etta Projects does. Janice also believes strongly in the concept of a world community, individual responsibility to that community, and that individuals can make a difference in the world. She believes that all people have the right to basic health, education, and economic needs, and that given the opportunity impoverished people will strive for sustainable solutions when these needs are lacking.
Sally Turner, Board Member, is a lifelong volunteer for the causes she in which she believes. In addition to her work with Etta Projects, she is Currently a Council Member for Christ Episcopal and Celebration Lutheran, and working with Dr. Mary Rose on endangered indigenous plants, and creating a preserve for Castilleja Levisictus (yellow Indian Paintbrush) on private property. As project manager for the Anacortes Soroptimist's, she coordinated the building of a new thrift shop saving this nonprofit over $200,000.00 in building costs. Ms. Turner and her husband William H. Turner have two children and are the caring aunt and uncle of Etta Turner.
Heidi Blair, Board Member, has been executive director of non-profit agencies for nearly 20 years. Her career has encompassed chamber of commerce organizations, to trade associations, to social service agencies. Blair joined USO Pensacola as Director, serving the panhandle region, in December 2006. She moved from Spokane Washington where she was executive director of a child abuse and neglect prevention agency.A firm believer in giving back to the community, Heidi is an active member of Rotary International. She currently serves on several boards with her main focus on Etta Projects board, Rotary Youth Exchange State of Florida board and is the District Co-chair for the local Rotary Youth Exchange long term program.A graduate of Gonzaga University with a degree in organizational leadership, Ms. Blair is married to John who is the post master in Crestview Florida. They have four children.
Jay Johnson, Board Member
Karen Barnett, JD, LLM, has been a social worker, human rights lawyer and litigator. She has worked for development organizations and non-profits in Asia, Africa and North America and has practiced law in New York and San Francisco. She currently lives in Tacoma with her
husband and two young children, where she is writing a novel based on the experiences of refugees she represented. She was drawn to Etta Projects by the passion and vision of its Director, its inclusive, collaborative approach and its impressive, sustainable results.
Directors of Counsel
Guy West Dolores Person
Dean Lewis
William Turner
Fatima Fernandez Paz
Jaime Paz Rea
