Meet Our Staff

Hi there, I’m Marissa! I was originally hired at Kids Club in 2009 after moving to Seattle from Colorado! I started out as a staff member working with the 3rd-5th graders, and in 2015 when I returned from graduate school I was hired as the Executive Director. Prior to Kids Club, I had worked as a Before & Afterschool counselor and supervisor with programs in Colorado, where I grew up. I have worked in this field on & off for 19 years. Wow, time has flown! During my adult career, in addition to working with youth I have also worked as a psycho-educational group facilitator of parenting groups for court-ordered adults with domestic violence and drug & alcohol histories; and as a social worker for incarcerated adults serving Life Without Parole. I enjoy working with adults and children and have found in this current line of work that I can connect with both, and that is the sweet spot for me! Outside of work hours I enjoy spending my time with my family. I have a spunky two-year-old daughter, a wonderful husband, and a fluffy malamute named Dobby! I love reading bumper stickers on cars, building forts in the living room, and baking treats from scratch. I used to knit, swim, and read, but until my child grows up a bit those are on hold, as I’d rather spend my time with her after a long day than miss any more of her growing up! 

Hi! I’m Shannon. I started my career in after school programs in a low-income housing community center. This work exposed me to many assets of social work and family support needs. I went on to work in the field of domestic violence, child protection, and child behavior and mental health. I have my master’s in clinical social work and have worked in the field of trauma and parent education for the last ten years. I have experience in training and facilitating cultural competency initiatives and am passionate about that mission. Working in after school programs in collaboration with educators and families in support of youth is important to me. As for outside of work, I love spending time with my dog, who is a pug mix named Smokey. I also enjoy reading and creating art. Family and friends are what I value most outside of work.

Hello! Around here, everyone calls me Kiki. I am originally from North Carolina. I’ve been working at Kids Club for almost five years! Over the last two years, I’ve worked with 4th and 5th grade students at Stevens Elementary where I focused on a girls group of color where we met once a week and worked on our social skills, building confidence, and leadership. Throughout the year, I volunteer when I can as an advocate for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). This is a program that offers volunteers to help children that’s experienced neglect and/or abuse in the home and their well-being. I’m currently in school finishing my Early Childhood program here in Seattle. I work with the first and second graders here at Kids Club and sometimes you may find me working in the office in my new role as Assistant Director! I look forward to engaging with the children daily and offering a great support system here at kids club. When I am not working, I enjoy movie time with my son and arts and DIY projects!

I just recently moved to Seattle from California after graduating college in May. I studied Digital Media Arts and hope to use my experience to help youth incorporate creativity into their lives! In my past job with youth, I’ve worked as a learning coach focusing on social-emotional learning methods, and I am also currently working as an instructor for stop-motion animation for 3^rd to 8^th graders. I love attending local art-centered events and finding ways to build community. In my free time, I volunteer with the Seattle Asian American film festival, the Khmer Community of King County, and the COCA gallery in Pioneer square. At home, you can find me cooking up a new recipe and cuddling my dog Chump and cat Tuna!

Hello! I’m Anika and I am from Sammamish, WA. I am currently a sophomore at the University of Washington. I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Public Health. I worked with children all my life and love being around them and making meaningful connections!

 Hello! I’m Giovanni! I’m a recent college grad with a BFA in graphic design. I attended an art high school as well. While in high school, I started my after-school teaching career. At 17, I started teaching troubled youth how to skateboard and find creative outlets for their emotions and better social skills for their community. Once I moved to Seattle I continued to teach the kids and adults in my community how to skateboard and all the life lessons you can learn from skating.

All of this brought me to Kids Club. After 5 years of teaching skateboarding, I wanted to change up the job a bit, however, I wanted to continue to see the joy on the kids’ faces once they overcome a difficult obstacle. I enjoy seeing them realize nothing is impossible as long as you work hard and put your mind into whatever it is!

Once upon a time, Marc was tasked with writing a mini auto bio blurb for an organization’s newsletter and website you might have heard. From the Light within, he would hope to shine through his multicultural rainbow lines. Asian race, Filipino ethnicity, American nationality declarant. He is the youngest child of Philippine born parents. Passion for diverse community service with youth and children as a career, He has had this experience for ten (10) plus years. Eclectic in his taste of food, music, T.V., etcetera Family, friends, theatre, cooking, hiking, camping, painting, and anything 90s are a plethora. As one concludes this vignette, Marc hopes that his mini words will become worthy in time. For you see, a new journey embarked with Kids’ Club After School Program will come to be a family he finds. 

Meet Kendall (he/him)! Kendall is a graduate of the Seattle Children’s Theatre’s Internship Program and originally went to school for Theatre Education. Ever since, he has done many residencies in schools and partnered with places like Kaiser Permanente and the Seattle Science Center to bring education and learning to kids through play and performance. He loves stories and you will likely find him reading a book or watching a TV show. He is excited to work at Kids Club and to meet everyone!