Our Board
Paula Melby - Chairman
Paula enjoys volunteering in the community through her church and local organizations. She has been involved in a wide variety of roles, including caring for others as a Deacon and serving on various church committees. In her community, she has been a longtime volunteer and officer of many swimming and school groups. Paula is a graduate of the University of Washington and a retired CPA.
Michael Yu - Vice Chair
Michael’s professional background has been vast and varied – with a long career in banking/ wealth management at Citigroup and then in marital and family therapy. Michael has his own thriving counseling practice, Therapeuo Counseling.
Nancy Bohling - Secretary
Nancy is a long time local small business owner with strong ties to the community and lengthy volunteer service at church and school, particularly focused on at risk students and their families as well as church polity and governance.
Fred Janssen - Treasurer
Fred is an independent consultant working with business owners in the areas of operations, finance and information management. He and his wife Anne live in Bothell and their son Jonathan attended Eastside Academy for all four years of high school, graduating in 2016.
Margie Bicknell
Margie is a retired educator who is currently substitute teaching for the Lake Washington School District. She is an actor and vocalist when time allows and has been involved with EA since serving as a mentor in 2010.
Kim Baruffi
Kim is a branding specialist who helps companies build strong, memorable brands. She’s owned her design studio since 2000 and has been a graphic designer for 30 years. She has a passion for kids and has volunteered regularly as a Sunday School and as a VBA teacher. She is an EA mentor and helps run the EA Birthday Baking team. Kim has a BFA in Graphic Design from Cornish College of the Arts.
Heidi Sweeney
Heidi Sweeney attended University of Washington and her background is in office development project management. She has been a member at Bellevue Presbyterian for 28 years, has served on multiple boards, and has volunteered with Rescue America, an organization that exists to rescue, revive, and empower the sexually exploited. She started. Her passion is helping vulnerable high schoolers.
Julie Key
Julie had a long career in marketing, innovation and general management for Pizza Hut and Starbucks brands. She is active in her church, and has served in financial and children’s ministry roles, and looks for opportunities to support organizations that serve those at-risk in our community. In her free time, Julie enjoys being a part-time pilates instructor, hiking, traveling and watching her favorite teams play.
Tom Courtney, M.D.
Tom is a Pediatrician with the University of Washington practicing in the South Seattle area with a high population of at risk children and immigrants. He has been a Pediatrician for over 30 years and been to Haiti and Honduras for medical missions as well as having served on the board of directors of an orphanage in Honduras. His career has taken him all over the US and he was part of a Christian FQHC in Franklin, TN while teaching at Vanderbilt University. He has been a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Association and has a lifelong Christian faith with a special place in his heart for underprivileged children. In his free time he enjoys being actively involved in his church, rowing, traveling and all sports.