Jason Joiner

Board President

Jason Joiner along with his wife Tina, both lifelong Coupeville residents, are raising their small herd of boys on their growing flower farm near Fort Casey State Park. Jason is active within his local church and currently serves on the boards for the Whidbey Community Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Oak Harbor Rotary, and several professional associations. He was previously chair of the Island County Housing Authority and has served on numerous housing boards and taskforces pursuing the goal of a fully housed community. Jason studied business and economics at the University of Texas, holds a certificate in Business and Commercial Banking from the American Bankers Association, and is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) specializing in commercial and investment property cash flow analysis. In 2018, after 13 years as a real estate professional, Jason was appointed to serve a term as Chief Deputy Assessor managing all activities of the Island County Assessor’s office, during which time he was accredited as an appraiser and became intimately familiar with the tax programs designed to keep seniors and disabled people in their homes. In 2021 Jason transitioned back into the private sector as Vice President, Commercial Banking officer for Peoples Bank where he still serves the lending and banking needs of the business and organizational communities on Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands. In his free time Jason plays music, maintains a fruit orchard, and enjoys camping and hunting as well as fishing, crabbing, and sailing our local waters.

“Having been raised on Whidbey Island and now raising my own family here, I care deeply about the issues our island community faces. I have long supported efforts related to affordable housing, promoting small/local business, and supporting community agriculture. I have seen firsthand the destruction of lives which results from unstable housing. We must become a more resilient community. Whidbey Community Foundation has made an impressive impact in its short history, and many opportunities for future growth and development. I am honored to work with WCF to support so many worthy causes on this island that benefit our community today and for generations to follow.”

Jason Joiner

Kristen Stavros

Board Vice President

Growing up in Southern California, and for two years cruising with her family on the Pacific Ocean, Kristen always longed for a more rural lifestyle. Five years of tertiary education and work in New Zealand gave her a taste of that, but the chance to be closer to a family came when her parents relocated to Whidbey in 2005. Working for WSU Extension and the Puget Sound Partnership gave her an intimate understanding of how the environmental field works from non-profits to local and State agencies and the vast scientific community. She later applied this knowledge to her career with Windermere Real Estate where she has been a Broker, Manager, and Co-owner. Her current personal passions include family time with her two kids and husband or tending a flower garden that helps her create bouquets as a form of artistic expression.

“Having had the chance to live anywhere there isn’t a day that goes by we don’t feel deeply grateful to call Whidbey home and have a chance to positively impact this place we love dearly. The opportunity to help create a long-standing legacy for Whidbey through the innovative structure of the Whidbey Community Foundation is an honor and a pleasure.”

– Kristen Stavros

Ansel Santosa

Board Secretary/Treasurer

Ansel and his wife Sarah moved to Whidbey Island full-time from Seattle in 2018 to raise their daughter Gwen and start Ballydídean Farm Sanctuary, a dream of theirs since childhood. Ansel also serves on the UW Informatics Advisory Board and is an active volunteer and advisor for Mother Mentors of Whidbey Island, where Sarah is Vice-President, and the South Whidbey Children’s Center, where Gwen goes to pre-school. Ansel has an “off-island” career as a software engineer. He has had several roles in the Seattle startup and venture capital community including ExtraHop Networks and Pioneer Square Labs. He currently works at Carbon Robotics where he builds robots that use lasers and computer vision to help farmers control weeds without herbicide or tilling. 

“Our family instantly fell in love with this special island. Not just for the stunning views, and charming towns, but also for the incredible community. What may first appear to be a sleepy island outside of Seattle, is actually a thriving rural community full of passionate people who want to do right by their neighbors and their world. We are surrounded by nonprofits, grassroots activism, and collective projects. I look forward to serving the generous donors and wonderful organizations seeking to make Whidbey Island the best it can be.” 

– Ansel Santosa

Lynn Goebel

Board Member

Lynn is a retired educator and a long-time resident of Oak Harbor, where she is deeply passionate about serving her community. Alongside her husband, Greg, a former naval pilot who currently flies for FedEx, she has raised their two children in Oak Harbor. Lynn is now serving her second term on the Oak Harbor School Board. She is a member of the Oak Harbor Creative Arts Foundation. Lynn is also a graduate of Leadership Whidbey and currently serves on the Curriculum Team. Additionally, Lynn was a participant on the founding committee for the Oak Harbor Music Festival and serves as the Governance Chair for the festival. Together, Lynn and Greg have supported numerous local organizations that have a positive impact on the community. Lynn is always eager to volunteer her time for worthy projects.

“I love Whidbey Island and feel incredibly grateful to call it my home. I am truly honored to be part of the Whidbey Community Foundation, and I am eager to support the important work of this incredible organization, which enhances our community for both the present and future generations.”

– Lynn Goebel

Sara Kelly

Board Member

A Whidbey Island native, Sara earned her B.A. from Connecticut College in 2003 and her J.D. from Vermont Law School in 2009.  Prior to attending law school, Sara spent several years working in the non-profit sector in New York and Montana.  Following law school, Sara spent a decade practicing law in Seattle, clerking at the Washington State Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington before entering private practice.  She is currently an active volunteer with the South Whidbey School district, a part-time attorney, a full-time mom, and thrilled to be serving her community on the board of the Whidbey Community Foundation.  Sara lives in Langley with her husband and their two daughters.

Quote under development.

Aisha Mayfield

Board Member

Aisha is a military spouse and dedicated mother of two. She and her family moved to the island in 2008. She has over 18 years’ experience practice management for multiple physicians and medical billing. She regularly volunteers at her children’s schools and other community groups such as the Navy Marine Corp Relief Society and the Chief Petty Officers Spouse Association. Aisha became a small business owner of Music Together of North Whidbey and Anacortes in 2017. Aisha notes that the Music Together program has helped to bridge the gap between the military community and local community for her family—teaching and inspiring families to create musical memories daily between children and the grownups they love. A highlight to her business is bringing classes to assisted living facilities and seeing families sharing those memories with our Grandfriends within the community.  

“Young/ old, military/ local, North Island/ South Island and everyone in between, this is an amazing community and one I am grateful to be a part of.” 

– Aisha Mayfield

Jeff Natter

Board Member

Jeff Natter has worked for over 30 years in the equity and social justice arena, as director of organizations focusing on health equity programs for underserved communities.  Jeff spent the majority of his career working in the HIV/AIDS field, managing health education and volunteer programs in New York City and Seattle.

Currently, Jeff serves on the faculty and curriculum team of Leadership Whidbey, helping to develop and elevate leadership professionals on Whidbey Island. He also sits on the Board of Directors of OutRight Action International, a global LGBTQ+ rights organization. Jeff holds a Master of Public Health degree in Sociomedical Sciences from the Columbia School of Public Health and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the Yale School of Drama.

“Philanthropy represents the heart of any community.  How we choose to donate our resources and our time defines our priorities as a people and brings out our best selves. I’m excited to work with the Whidbey Community Foundation to make this incredible island that we call home a more vibrant, healthy, and thriving place for all of us.”

– Jeff Natter

George Saul

Board Member

After 11 years in the US Army, George served in executive leadership for semiconductor companies for much of his career, including leading 3 start-up companies. Married for more than 50 years to wife Sheila and the father of two sons, in retirement George has been active in the Oak Harbor Rotary Club, volunteered at The Haven emergency shelter and Spin Café, served as a mentor with the Island County Drug Court, and is a volunteer caseworker with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, helping sailors with family finances and budgeting.

“We all try to leave some lasting evidence of the positive impact we made for mankind during our short stay on this earth,” George says. “Whidbey Community Foundation is one way to make that kind of lasting difference. The Foundation’s endowment investment strategy will ensure that donors’ philanthropy will make an impact for future generations.”

– George Saul

Jane Spalding

Board Member

Jane brings 40 plus years of experience working for non-profit organizations.  She began her career as an elementary school teacher in Appalachia, KY as part of a program called the Teacher Corps. This was followed by 20 years working for hospitals, large and small, in the areas of marketing, public relations, volunteer management and fundraising.  Her most rewarding experience during that time was serving as Director of Development for Harborview Medical Center.  In 2015 she retired from Seattle University and began consulting for small non-profit organizations as a volunteer for 501 Commons in Seattle.  What a world of difference between large and small nonprofits!  At the beginning of the pandemic a long-time Whidbey Island resident and friend Nick Fowler delivered an ultimatum: “Stay in Seattle until this is over, or move in with me.”  Thinking, well, how long can it last, a week or two, she moved in.  And she’s still here.  Jane, formerly a city person, has joyfully embraced a quieter island life. She’s delighted to be able to give back by serving on the Whidbey Community Foundation board.

“Nearly everyone I’ve told I’m joining the board of the Whidbey Community Foundation responded with, “What’s that?” I hope to be able to help change that response to, “What a great organization! Being on the board must be very rewarding.”

– Jane Spalding

Jessie Gunn

Executive Director

Jessie Gunn has served as Executive Director of WCF since January 2022. She joined WCF in April 2019 as Program Manager, and then served as Program Director through 2021. Jessie has over 15 years of experience in the social sector having worked with national foundations, government programs, nonprofits, and corporate philanthropy. Prior to her work with WCF, she was Grants Manager with Ballmer Group. Jessie earned her master’s degree in Public Administration from the Evans School of Public Policy at the University of Washington, specializing in Nonprofit Management. Jessie and her husband own and operate Whidbey Pies, and reside with their family in South Whidbey.

“I feel very fortunate to live with my family on Whidbey Island. When I first moved here I was struck by the diverse nonprofit community on the island supporting critical causes from basic human services, to environmental conservation and animal welfare. The Whidbey Community Foundation strives to build the capacity of these organizations so they can have greater impact, and to connect donors to causes that matter to them. I am honored to lend my services to the Foundation in order to build a stronger community together.”

– Jessie Gunn

Holly Harlan

Development & Donor Services Manager

Holly Harlan joined the Whidbey Community Foundation as the Development & Donor Services Manager in November 2024, bringing over 30 years of experience in both for-profit and non-profit sectors. Her career began as an engineer with GE and evolved into leadership roles in economic development including founding and leading a nonprofit organization and a network of 10,000 members focused on building a sustainable regional economy in Northeast Ohio. On Whidbey she is best known for her fundraising and executive leadership work at the Whidbey Institute. Her deep passion for Whidbey Island and commitment to strengthening its community guides her work in cultivating donor relationships, developing fundraising strategies, and empowering local non-profits. Holly lives in the heart of Langley and enjoys long walks to experience views of the mountains and water, meeting her neighbors and appreciating the beauty of their colorful gardens.  

“I am honored to serve at the Whidbey Community Foundation to support our generous donors in making immediate and long-lasting impact on our Island lives.   As we navigate times of transition and perhaps disruption, our community and nonprofit leaders will need the resources to respond.  It’s essential we explore and invest in innovative ideas to meet our evolving needs and care for the Whidbey we all love.“

– Holly Harlan

Maureen Kuykendall

Program & Marketing Associate

Maureen has served as Program & Marketing Associate since January 2025. She joined the Whidbey Community Foundation as our part-time Program Assistant in March of 2021. Maureen spent most of her childhood on Whidbey and returned as an adult to the beautiful Island that helped raise her. She has a background in bookkeeping and small business management, and a desire to serve her community. On the weekends Maureen volunteers with local farm programs and hopes that with community support we can all help increase food access across the whole island. She spends her spare time gardening vegetables and raising poultry on beautiful Central Whidbey.

“Living on Whidbey and getting to work in the community I grew up in is an amazing gift. I have seen firsthand over the years all of the hard work being done by local nonprofits and passionate community members and am grateful for a chance to step up and contribute to my community. I am excited for the opportunity to help serve our local non-profits and to help foster a brighter more equitable Whidbey Island for everyone. “

– Maureen Kuykendall