Board of Directors

John Curry is an Associate at Adams & Duncan law firm. He is a lifelong Seattle resident and sees the tremendous opportunity that the city offers its’ residents, as well as the challenges it poses to our low-income and marginalized communities due to structural or institutional barriers. He wants help people overcome those barriers and benefit from the opportunities.

Cheryl was born in Camas, WA. She attended WSU (2 years), University of WA (BS Nursing), University of Utah (MS Nursing) and OHSU (MPH health disparities and primary health care).

She has been a longtime supporter of the new refugee community in Seattle. Through her work with NCJW, she has  supported the work of the Jewish community in advocating for immigration (especially
family) and immigrant rights. She was also the Seattle King County Refugee Health Nurse Practitioner for a number of years in the late 1980-1990’s.

Her husband, Ron Berenson, is a physician entrepreneur who works in the biotech and med tech fields. She has 3 children who are all adults, and 2 beautiful grandchildren.

After 25 years of “helping the people who help the patients”, Marcie Headen recently retired from healthcare IT. She returns to the Neighborhood House Board of Directors having served previously from 2014-2021. Marcie discovered Neighborhood House soon after she moved to Seattle in 1988 and has been a donor and volunteer ever since. She looks forward to working with new staff and board members, as well as reconnecting with the more seasoned Neighborhood House community.

Her favorite thing about Neighborhood House? The practical, relevant, and culturally sensitive support that the amazing staff has provided for over 120 years!

Esteban immigrated to Seattle from Mexico in the year 2000. He is a proud Redmond High School and University of Washington graduate where he studied computer science.

In his free time, Esteban loves to spend time with his partner Anna, dog Tucker and 6 loud chickens. He enjoys hiking, fishing, and exploring everything the Pacific Northwest has to offer. He feels privileged to work with and learn from all the wonderful colleagues and clients of Neighborhood House.

Azmach Bekele is from Ethiopia where he graduated with an Accounting bachelor degree in 2011. Azmach worked at the Ethiopian Postal Service Enterprise as a Financial Business Manager for more than 14 years. He came to the United States of America in 2019, and he works as independent contractor with various delivery companies in the Seattle area.

Hi, I’m DeOnna McKay. I’m passionate about racial equity and social justice because I truly believe in people, especially those who have been overlooked or impacted by systems that weren’t built to support them. My commitment to this work comes from a deep desire to help create spaces where everyone feels valued, included, and empowered. Through my background in policy, community engagement, and leadership, I’m dedicated to breaking down systemic barriers and building real opportunities for people like me.

Sharon grew up in Omaha, NE, earned a journalism degree from the University of Kansas and worked several years as a newspaper reporter in Omaha before attending Creighton University law school. She moved to Seattle in 1994 and practiced law here for more than 20 years, focusing on communications, business, and insurance litigation.

Over the years, she has volunteered at a number of places. She co-chaired the auction at her children’s school, provided free legal advice at Northwest Justice Project, and worked at the FamilyWorks food bank and community closet. Currently, she and her husband  prepare and serve meals about once a month at the St. Martin de Porres shelter.

Luba immigrated to the United States in 1993 from the Former Soviet Union with her husband and two sons. Initially settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, she worked with immigrant families managing the local New American Program. Luba started to serve the Washington state communities in 2007 working for the Puget Sound ESD, City of Seattle, Edmonds Community College, Department of Early Learning and Department of Children Youth and Families.

Being trained as an early learning and elementary school teacher, as well as an educational psychologist, most of Luba’s work has been focused on the well-being of children and families. Her main focus areas include children/youth rights, immigration trauma, equitable access to quality education, and community relations.

Luba is honored to become a member of the Neighborhood House board, and is looking forward to supporting the agency and the communities it serves.

I have been retired since 2017. Prior to that I enjoyed many professions including non-profit Executive Director for several organizations, Publisher of a Computer magazine, Bond Attorney, and Legislative Liaison for the City of Minneapolis.

I am active in Bellevue Rotary Club and have volunteered for many community, social and civic causes, including substantial time with Democratic Political organizations and causes.

Sharon has served Southeast Seattle as the Washington State Representative for the 37^th Legislative District since 1998. Trained as a civil rights and social justice activist, much of Sharon’s work in Olympia focuses on education.

In addition to education, her key policy interests include civil rights, women’s rights, economic and environmental justice, affordable housing, and community preservation.  She strives to level playing fields and to enable every Washingtonian to be safe, productive, and successful.

A graduate of the Evergreen State College and of Northeastern University, Rep. Santos has worked in the banking industry, on staff of local elected officials, and in senior management positions for non-profit organizations.