Board of Directors

Al Latham was the former Treasurer of Olympic Neighbors and has been part of the effort to create home and community for adults with developmental disabilities for several years. He worked for the Jefferson County Conservation District for 20 years, helping landowners deal with environmental issues and improve salmon habitat. Al has been a carpenter, chimney sweep, farmer, and world traveler among other things. He and his family live in rural Jefferson County where his hobbies include gardening, motorcycling, and helping friends and neighbors. Having an adult family member with special needs has inspired him to work on providing exceptional living situations and programs for adults with developmental disabilities.

Having a brother with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Gary knows how impactful IDD organizations like Olympic Neighbors can be for both residents and families.
As a retired ordained Protestant minister serving in administrative leadership, Gary brings extensive executive non-profit management experience. He has served on hospital, university, and national social services boards, including one that developed an extensive network of IDD homes in the upper Midwest. Given ON's track record, he is interested in exploring additional locations within Jefferson County to serve even more individuals.
Gary is a graduate of the UC Berkeley School of Journalism, with Master of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity (Causa Honoris) degrees from North Park Seminary in Chicago. He and his wife Nancy relocated to the area from Palatine, IL to be closer to children and grandchildren. In addition to family time, he plays tennis and golf, and soaks in the beauty of our area. Nancy volunteers in Chimacum schools with a focus on students whose first language is not English.

Brittany Charrier has recently moved back to Jefferson County after spending 3 years in Alaska while pursuing a Ph.D. in Marine Biology. She is excited for the opportunity to finish her degree remotely and be able to re-immerse herself in the Jefferson County community. In addition to previously volunteering with Olympic Neighbors, she has volunteered as a basketball coach for Special Olympics and has volunteered and worked as an after-school tutor for students of all ages. She has experience with fundraising and small event planning. Brittany is grateful to be a new member of the Olympic Neighbors’ board and to be part of such a passionate and meaningful organization and community.

Amy grew up in Jefferson County and recently relocated back to Port Townsend after 15 years in Madison, WI. A desire to live closer to family was the main motivator for making the cross country move one more time. Amy is sister to a person with IDD and her firsthand experience with the challenges of finding a safe, and supportive, living environment for a loved one with IDD inspired her to join the board of Olympic Neighbors. Amy has worked professionally as a librarian for the past 15 years.
In her downtime she enjoys spending time with her family, working on garden projects and exploring the amazing Olympic Peninsula with a fresh perspective.

Randy Rosens specifically came to Port Townsend, from Austin, Texas, in search of a community that provided dedicated support to all factions of its citizens, especially our neighbors with disabilities. He found these virtues in Olympic Neighbors. He has a long history of involvement in the cultivation of volunteer run public service nonprofits, from food rescue to recreational opportunities for the underserved. Randy has been blessed to be able to pursue these passions, welcomed and supported in many collaborative successes. He is grateful to be currently active with Gathering Place, Sk0okum, the Port Townsend Food Bank, and Keep Port Townsend Fed. They, together, weave a fabric of strong impact to our rich community.

The Olympic Neighbors board meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 5:30pm at the Nomura Building Conference Room (385 Benedict St, Port Townsend) and on Zoom. Reach out to olympicneighbors@gmail.com for more info.

Staff

Dana brings a lifelong commitment to community, inclusion, and relationship-centered work to her role at Olympic Neighbors. She has spent several decades designing and leading programs focused on healthcare, housing stability, and community well-being, with experience across university-based food access initiatives, senior living communities, hospice care, leadership development, and large-scale outreach efforts. At the heart of her work is a belief that strong communities are built when everyone has a voice and a place to belong.
After four years in Arizona working to improve quality of life and access to healthy food for underserved populations, Dana is excited to return home to Jefferson County, where her family lives and where she feels deeply connected to the community. She is known for her collaborative approach and brings extensive experience supporting residents, families, volunteers, and partners through education, problem-solving, and thoughtful program development.
With a Bachelor of Science from UC Davis, and a Master of Social Work from Western New Mexico University, Dana is deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and community empowerment for folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Outside of work, she is a practicing artist who works in clay, metal, fiber, and found objects. She enjoys spending time with family, creating art, knitting, reading, and hiking throughout the Pacific Northwest with her two dogs.

Traci offers a ”hands on” approach to help empower staff and residents to embrace their strengths. She has worked as a Resident Manager in a variety of settings for over 15 years with teens who have experienced trauma. "I have always enjoyed working in a home environment and am very happy to have this opportunity."
Traci is also obtaining her Holistic Nutritional Certification, as working with fresh, organic fruits and vegetables is a passion of hers. She enjoys juicing and is eager to use local, organic produce from farms in our community to make delicious juices with the residents.

Theresa was born and raised in the cornfields of Indiana. She began her work in healthcare at 19 as a CNA. She pursued a degree in Clinical Laboratory Science and for the past 30 years that's what she's been doing.
She moved to Port Townsend in 2013 and when the pandemic hit, like many healthcare workers did-she burnt out. She left lab work and went home to her husband, 5 kids and 3 huskies.
After 2 years of decorating cakes at the local Safeway, she went where her heart was leading, back into direct care. Since working with Olympic Neighbors, she's felt her soul come alive again, and truly feels like she is where she is supposed to be. Making a difference in the lives of others.

Bio coming soon

Laura Mikelson has lived in Port Townsend most of her life. After graduating high school, she moved away until a job opportunity came up to bring her back to the town she wanted to raise her child in. Growing up with a sibling with developmental disabilities and raising a son with the same disabilities has given her resilience to face challenges with compassion and the determination to advocate for inclusion, accessibility, and understanding in every space she is part of.
Laura is excited to start this new chapter in her life as the Parent 2 Parent Coordinator.

Robin Davis is a Pacific Northwest native who’s passionate about helping mission-driven organizations run smoothly behind the scenes. She’s lived in cities across the country, including L.A., D.C., Orlando, and Charleston, but feels most grounded in the calm and beauty of the PNW.
Robin began her nonprofit journey volunteering at a draft horse rescue, where she spent weekends caring for the horses, along with managing the organization’s website. She brings that same mix of heart and organization to her role as Administrative Assistant at Olympic Neighbors. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, crocheting, and going to the movies.