Meet EYN’s Staff

Helene Wentink – Executive Director

Helene brings 30 years of non-profit experience to EYN with a background in administration, operations, 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 (MNLP) from Seattle University. She currently serves on the Seattle University MNPL Alumni Board. Helene also served 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 along with her chickens and pugs. In her spare-time she enjoys horseback riding, gardening, and Jazzercise.

Jami Au – Finance and Operations Manager

Jami Au joins EYN as our Finance and Operations 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.

Heather Downing – Director of Programs and Impact

Heather Downing previously served in the role of Youth Success Mentoring Program Manager and is now the Director of Programs and Impact. 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.

Tara Bergman – Youth Success Mentoring Senior Coordinator

Tara Bergman is the Youth Success Mentoring Senior Coordinator for Empower Youth Network.

Tara brings a background in customer service, operations, and program management in both corporate and nonprofit settings and previously worked as the Substance Use Prevention Coordinator with EYN. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis in Women’s Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and has enjoyed serving the Snoqualmie Valley as a volunteer in classrooms, at community events, for booster clubs and on PTSA boards.

Tara’s biggest volunteer passions include coordinating Forefront LEARN Suicide Prevention Training for parents and caregivers as well as coaching kids with the Cedarcrest Mountain Bike Club.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Tara has lived with her husband and two sons in Carnation since 2010. Whether on a bike, paddle board, or on foot, Tara loves exploring nature and looking for birds with her dog.

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 – Fund Development Manager

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 – Business Engagement Manager

Carol Van Noy is the Empower Youth Network’s Business Engagement 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.

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.

Danielle Rank – Weekend Power Packs Coordinator

Danielle Rank is the Weekend Power Pack Coordinator for Empower Youth Network.

Danielle has her BA in Social Work from California State University at Long Beach, a Certificate in Early Childhood Education from Saddleback College, and a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Orange Coast College. She has spent many years working with children and families while teaching preschool, volunteering in the elementary and middle school settings, as well as serving on a number of PTSA boards in various roles. Danielle is an involved Rotarian serving as the Club Service Chair with the Rotary Club of Duvall, a passion to volunteer that began in childhood while her dad was a member.

It is a pleasure to be included in the team at EYN, being available to serve the families and youth in our community.

When not packing Power Packs, Danielle can be found spending time with her husband, two teen daughters, and two dogs. She values spending time with friends, walking around Duvall, biking the trail, making good food, and participating in her book and trivia clubs.

Ryan Conover – Youth Engagement Coordinator

Ryan Conover is the Youth Engagement Coordinator for the Empower Youth Network. 

Originally from South Dakota, Ryan has a wealth of experience working with and leading youth in both professional and volunteer positions. Previously, she worked as a program lead for after school and summer camp, and volunteered for organizations such as Lost and Found as a ‘Peer 2 Peer’ mentor. She is passionate about staying engaged in her community and helping youth live happy lives.

Ryan holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and a Master of Laws in International Human Rights Law, with a special research interest in children’s rights. She is a published author on various topics, including children’s access to justice and LGBTQ+ rights. Ryan, like many others, has a personal connection to the work of EYN and is excited to utilize her knowledge to help build better futures for kids across the Snoqualmie Valley. 

Ryan is new to Washington, but in her free time, she can be found reading, rock climbing, crafting, playing board games, or enjoying any sunshine she can find.