Meet EYN’s Staff

Helene Wentink – Executive Director

Helene Wentink joins Empower Youth Network (EYN) as Executive Director. Helene brings 30 years of non-profit experience to EYN with a background in administration, fundraising and communication. In her previous leadership roles, she has supported youth education, early learning and early intervention, and community-based housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). She holds a B.A. in Communication/Editorial Journalism from the University of Washington and a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University. She most recently served as Director of Operations and Director of Advancement with Community Homes, Inc., ensuring rich, full lives for adults with I/DD. Helene also serves on the boards of the Alliance of Eastside Agencies (AEA) and the Eastside Human Services Forum (EHSF).

Helene has been a member of the Snoqualmie Valley since 1978 and enjoys living in Fall City with her spouse, Mike Truitt along with her chickens, turtle, and pug. In her spare-time she enjoys horseback riding, gardening, and Jazzercise.

Jami Au – Office Manager

Jami Au joins EYN as our Administrative Assistant and Office Manager. Originally from Montana, Jami moved to Washington to attend college at Pacific Lutheran University. Her background is in corporate sales support, event planning and administration. Jami has a passion for the Valley and especially youth success! She served 4 years on the Cascade View Elementary PTSA board, spent many hours volunteering in the local schools and food banks, and fundraising. She feels that no child, especially in our community, should have to tackle all of the trials that come with growing up, while hungry.

In her free time Jami loves to travel, hike, golf and spend time laughing with friends. Jami, her husband and their 3 sons have lived in the valley for 12 years. Her sons attend the University of Washington, Mount Si High School, and Snoqualmie Middle School.

Maya Olson – Youth Engagement Coordinator

Maya Olson is the Youth Engagement Coordinator for Empower Youth Network. She is excited to work with the youth to create fun, safe, and engaging events. Maya has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Community Psychology.

Maya has volunteer experience with the youth in the lower valley and worked in childcare previous to this position. She is passionate about helping others, especially the youth. A goal of hers is to further her education surrounding mental health in the near future. Maya has lived in the lower valley all her life, and is thrilled to be able to work directly with her community as well as surrounding communities.

In her free time Maya enjoys spending time with her family and her Australian Shepherd, working out, and dancing to music in the kitchen while cooking. She is an advocate for both mental health and physical health. Maya encourages the youth to reach out about ideas for events, or anything they’d like to discuss!

Heather Downing – Youth Success Manager

Heather Downing is the Youth Success Mentoring Program Manager, a program of the Empower Youth Network. She has worked in non-profit management over 4 years, volunteer management over 8 years and with schools over 11 years. Heather brings with her a wealth of people skills, organization and compassion.

She successfully led two district levy campaigns for Riverview School District. Heather is a supporter and active leader working with community youth groups that include 4H and United States Pony Club. Heather held a board position during Duvall Co-Op preschool’s first year.

Heather earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington State University and lives in Duvall with her husband and 3 kids.

Kathy Hyland – Youth Success Mentoring Coordinator

Kathy Hyland is the Youth Success Mentoring Coordinator. Kathy has her BA from the University of Washington in Early Childhood and Family Services. She brings 21 years of experience working with children, their school employee families, the community and DCYF officials through her home daycare and preschool. Over the years, Kathy has volunteered for youth sports organizations coordinating volunteers and creating new programs. Kathy, and her family of four, have lived in the Upper Valley for 26 years. Her husband is a teacher and her two sons are grown and exploring life as adults. When not busy with work and her family, Kathy loves to create art out of old wood and enjoys working in her garden.

Michelle John – Grant Writer

Michelle is a Grant Writer with Empower Youth Network.

She grew up and attended local schools in Snoqualmie and North Bend. While pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at Pacific Lutheran University, Michelle engaged with several youth-centered agencies in the Tacoma area, including the Department of Children, Youth and Families Office of Youth Engagement, and local non-profits Degrees of Change and Downtown on the Go. Moving back home to the valley, she completed a year of AmeriCorps service with the United Way of King County and subsequently found her way to Empower Youth Network as a Community Resource Coordinator on the TRACE Care Team.

It has been a longtime dream to serve Snoqualmie Valley youth and families, and Michelle is ecstatic to now support Empower Youth Network as a Grant Writer.

When free, she enjoys making art, playing trumpet, board games with friends, and getting outside to hike, climb, or find other nonsense to be had wherever there are trees.

M’Liss Moon – Youth Resilience and Community Resources Manager

M’Liss Moon is excited to join the EYN team as the Youth Resilience and Community Resources Manager with the TRACE Care Team. Originally from Colorado, M’Liss found her way to Washington and the Snoqualmie Valley area in the mid 90’s and has loved it ever since. Her background in psychology and massage therapy lead her to open Main St. Massage, a health and wellness center in Duvall in 2001. After her daughters entered the world, M’Liss continued to volunteer in the community serving 12 years on the City of Carnation Planning Board, initiating the PTSA at the Riverview Learning Center, and most recently serves at the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Chair on the PTSA Council at the Riverview School District.

M’Liss is passionate about promoting a healthy, thriving Snoqualmie Valley community. Currently residing in Carnation, the Moon family, when not learning and working are often found out walking, hiking and enjoying nature.

Yareli Ruiz – Family Connection Coordinator

Yareli Ruiz is elated to be a part of the Empower Youth Network team as a Family Connection Coordinator with the TRACE Care Team for Snoqualmie Valley School District and Riverview School District.

She is originally from Mexico City and moved to the United States at age 12. Her immigrant background has motivated her to help limited resource and language barrier families throughout the community. She has been involved in youth programs for 15 years from Spanish teaching, to tutoring, to after school programs. She holds a very extensive knowledge on child development through her educational background. With her abilities, willingness and personal experiences Yareli’s goal is to reach and connect with English learner families and youth to provide support and information of resources around our community. She is passionate about youth success, and believes that everyone deserves to be treated equally and with respect. In Yareli’s free time she enjoys hiking, biking with my family and friends, listening to music, dancing and gardening.

Sara Tarp – Prevention Program Manager

Sara Tarp is the Prevention Program Manager for Empower Youth Network. Sara is excited to work with the Youth Suicide Prevention program and Youth Engagement.

Sara has her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Human Development from Washington State University and is also a licensed Substance Use Disorder Professional. Sara has worked with adults and adolescents since her graduation. She has worked in many roles including inpatient treatment working in family programs, outpatient counseling, prevention/intervention, and development and outreach. Her passion for prevention work and helping youth and parents started from her own childhood and is growing every day.

In her free time Sara enjoys spending time with her partner and their dog, coaching rugby and getting outside.

Carol Van Noy – Fund Development Manager

Carol Van Noy is the Empower Youth Network’s Fund Development Manager. Carol has worked in the nonprofit sector with United Way of King County and other nonprofits for 20 years. She has experience in workplace campaigns, corporate and foundation gifts, major gifts, Million Dollar Round Table and working with key volunteers to help with fundraising goals.

Carol also currently serves as board president of the Riverview Board. She is a long time resident of the Snoqualmie Valley and passionate about success for all youth.

Maddy Horn – Communication and Engagement Coordinator

Maddy joined Empower Youth Network as the Communication Coordinator in October of 2023, and became the Communication and Engagement Coordinator in September of 2024. The engagement component of her work is her Pathways to Employment Success program.

The bulk of her Marketing and Communications (MarCom) experience has been in nonprofits and government, on national, state, and local levels—from major cities to small communities. Maddy is thrilled to apply her skills for social media, marketing, graphic and web design, print, media relations, communications, and writing to accomplish the mission at EYN. She is also a lifetime member of the National Communications Association.

In addition to her experience in the MarCom world, Maddy also has vast experience working in the education field, whether she was providing academic advising remotely to students around the world at an ed-tech start-up in Boston or teaching in-person at an after-school program with the Washington Alliance for Better Schools (WABS). She has spent a great deal of her career ensuring that students succeed and feel empowered. In addition to her professional skills, her deeply personal connection to EYN’s work makes her grateful and thrilled to serve in her role.

Michelle Marshall – Weekend Power Packs Coordinator

Michelle Marshall is the Empower Youth Network’s Weekend Power Packs Coordinator. Michelle has her B.S. in Elementary Education from Montana State University. After raising her kids, she found herself working at the library, the Duvall Chamber of Commerce, and, most recently, is working for Northwest Art Center. She has a wealth of volunteer experience, working with nonprofits serving youth and families for the past 20 years. She is passionate about caring for others and making our community a better place.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, hiking, traveling, and reading.

Keri Phillips – Substance Use Prevention and Community Campaign Coordinator

Keri is the Substance Use Prevention and Community Campaign Coordinator, running It Starts With You and Needing Help is Human / Necesitar Ayuda es Humano campaigns. Originally from California, she moved to Washington just after completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication at California State University, Fullerton and instantly fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. As a Snoqualmie Valley resident for nearly 20 years, a parent of two amazing kids and most recently earning a Masters in Teaching at WGU, she brings education, passion and experience to this role. She has always been dedicated to the mission and values of Empower Youth Network and is excited to be a part of the team.

She loves spending quality time with her husband and kids, walks with friends, local events, puzzles and board games.