Northwest Folklife

Board of Directors

Margo Reich, President, CPA
Karen Shaw, Vice President, Psychologist
Edward D’Alessandro, Treasurer, Exec. Director, Seattle Youth Soccer Assoc.

Andrew Snoey, Secretary, Manager, Microsoft
Luther F. Black, Immediate Past President, Marine Environmental Analyst

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Warren Argo, Sound Engineer

Kim Camara, Anthropologist

Rafael Maslan, Student
Irene Y. Namkung, Administrator, Digital Learning Commons
Harvey Niebulski, M.D., Radiologist, Group Health Cooperative

Ann Suter, Principal, Prizma
Dave Trop, Engineering Manager, The Boeing Company

John Ullman, Artist Management

Ross Braine, Higher Education Coordinator, University of Washington

Staff

To contact staff, please use the contact form under "About."

Daniel Atkinson

Outreach Coordinator

I like Folklife because I can interact with people from all walks of life and learn something every second of every day. It’s a seasonal city of controlled chaos! When not at work I enjoy photography, gardening and collecting 78rpm recordings.

Michael Chandler

Production Manager

Folklife is one of the few all-ages, FREE events that people from all walks of life can enjoy; making that happen is a good thing. I also work at many other arts festivals and events in town. I am a photographer, a screen printer, and am part of a co-op art gallery in Sodo.

Dave Clelland

Accounting Manager

I love that Folklife gives me the opportunity to see old friends at least once a year to share a mutual interest in the cultural arts. When I’m not at work, you’ll find me in various theater productions around the Puget Sound and singing in Dave and the Dalmatians.

Holly Decker

Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator

I love Folklife because it gives people an opportunity to travel the world without leaving Seattle. Cultural enrichment is essential to sustaining healthy communities and I believe that the NW Folklife Festival contributes greatly to that cause. I love to travel – eat, observe, participate. I play soccer regularly and enjoy the outdoors.

Erin Doherty

Development Associate

My favorite thing about Northwest Folklife is that the annual Festival is a FREE event, making the arts accessible to everyone. When I’m not working, I enjoy knitting, attempting to garden, listening to music, and spending time with my dog.

Debbie Fant

Director of Programs

I’m lucky to get to meet extraordinary people—performers and community workers—who are passionate about their arts, heritage, and cultures. Off-hours I read, noodle on the banjo and juggle cats.

Kelli Faryar

Festival Programs Coordinator

I love learning everyday about new cultures, traditions, instruments and local performers. I enjoy roller skating to Olivia Newton-John records, decoupage and rockin’ out on the guitar.

Carolyn Field

Accounting

My favorite thing about Folklife is the people and the positive energy they give, along with their moral and financial support. I enjoy reading, various crafts, and spending time with family and friends.

Kristina Goetz

Development Manager

New to the Pacific Northwest from Florida, I am excited to have landed at Folklife! When not at work you might find me thrifting, listening to records, cooking delicious vegetarian meals, or traveling and adventuring with my dog, cat and significant other.

Molly Haas

Marketing Manager

I love that the Folklife Festival is a yearly meeting place to celebrate the different cultures that make the Pacific Northwest special. When I’m not here, you can find me knitting, training for a triathlon or on a quest to find the best Indian food in Seattle.

Devon Legér

Assistant Director of Programs

I’ve never experienced anything else like the Northwest Folklife Festival. This annual collision of culture, heritage and tradition consumes the Seattle Center every Memorial Day Weekend. Outside of Folklife, I play as much music as possible and raise two cute little girls with my musical wife.

Bruce Sielaff

Director of Operations and Technology

My favorite things about Folklife (the festival and the organization) are its supportive, collaborative spirit, its energetic sense of mission, and the falafels. Outside of work, I enjoy (in ascending order) cooking, playing music, reading, running, fencing, and spending time with family and friends.

Rob Townsend

Executive Director

Creating opportunities for folks to come together in the enjoyment and celebration of arts at Folklife is a great privilege. The odd off hours might find me walking, woodworking or spending time with family and friends.

Interns

Cary Clarke

Programming Intern

Carmen Gilbert

Fundraising & Events Intern

Jennifer Latta

Database Administration Intern

Christina Wang

Development Intern

UPCOMING EVENTS

Volunteer Applications Online Now!

Here's what's coming up:

February 13, 20, 27 and March 6: 9th Annual Sound Off! All-Ages Music Competition at EMP|SFM, sponsored by Northwest Folklife
March 11, 7:30PM: 5th Annual Contra Marathon at the Lake City Community Center (12531 28th Ave NE), a benefit for Northwest Folklife
March 13, 7:30PM-11:00PM: Northwest Folk Dancers Incorporated at Cedar Valley Grange (20526 52nd Ave W, Lynnwood, WA), a benefit for Northwest Folklife
March 19, 7:30: Birth DIY Fest at the VERA Project, sponsored by Northwest Folklife
March 20, 2:00PM-4:00PM: Accordi-O-Rama III at Town Hall, presented by Town Hall Seattle and Northwest Folklife
March 21: Folklife Presents at the Tractor Tavern - featuring Clinton Fearon!
April 23: Folklife Masters featuring Kane Mathis and Mirah at Empty Sea Studios
May 28-31: The 39th Annual Northwest Folklife Festival at Seattle Center
November 13: 2nd Annual A Night for Folklife, a benefit for Northwest Folklife

This calendar is reserved for events hosted, presented, or sponsored by Northwest Folklife or events that benefit our organization. To post community events please visit our Forums.