Meet the Team

Matilda was born and raised in Sweden but moved permanently to the US in 2020 right before the pandemic. Matilda has a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences and has prior experience in the social worker field as both Governmental Case Manager and Group Home Assistant for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Matilda started her role as BISNF's Program Coordinator in August 2021, and is now the Executive Director of BISNF.

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In her free time, Matilda enjoys spending time with her golden retriever Stella (who is a frequent visitor at Stephens House), and hike in the Olympic National Park.

Kianna moved to Poulsbo in June of 2021 with her husband and three dogs. She grew up volunteering and had previously volunteered at a camp for disabled individuals.

Combining her love of helping people and supporting others with their emotional, physical, and mental well-being Kianna finds working at Stephens House to be a wonderful and fulfilling opportunity.

Matthew is excited to be the next staff member of the Stephens House community. Matthew is from a small coastal town on the East Coast and loves Bainbridge Island. Matthew is also staff at Bainbridge Island Aquatics Center as a lifeguard. Matthew is happy to being part of the BISNF team and the community.

Lori, her husband Josh, and their extended family have lived on Bainbridge Island for the past 16 years.  After moving from the east coast, they chose Bainbridge as their home due to its sense of community.  In addition, they felt it would be a great place to raise their family and a welcoming environment for Lori’s brother-in-law, Chris, who has Down’s Syndrome.

Lori has worked for Nordstrom for the past 27 years.  She is currently a Senior Vice President of Merchandising at Nordstrom.  She joined the Bainbridge Island Special Needs Foundation Board in 2021 to help keep their mission alive after seeing firsthand how vital the program is for adults with disabilities, like her brother-in-law Chris, a member.

Shane's passion for supporting individuals with disabilities began when she volunteered in a special education classroom at Ordway Elementary School while in high school. After several roles within education (paraeducator, classroom teacher, business owner, researcher, graduate instructor, and autism consultant) as well as a brief detour working as a program assistant at ESPN, Shane is back at Ordway as a classroom teacher.

Shane's hobbies include passionately rooting for all Seattle sports teams, reading, traveling, drinking coffee, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Risha is a native to the Pacific Northwest, with a bachelors degree in Business Administration and 20 years of experience in merchandise and financial planning in the retail industry. She is currently a Vice President of Financial Planning and recently supported an organization wide transition from retail accounting to cost accounting.

Risha joined the Bainbridge Island Special Needs Foundation board to connect her financial acumen to the mission and opportunities provided by the Stephens House.

Tanith was born and raised in South Africa and lived in Ireland for 14 years before relocating to Bainbridge Island where she has lived for 5 years with her husband and two children. Tanith currently works for the Bainbridge Island School District as a paraeducator and has almost finished her Bachelor of Arts in Special Education. She is excited to serve on the BISNF board and contribute to enriching the lives of this wonderful organization within our community.

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Tanith’s hobbies include gardening, reading, anything that involves being outdoors with her friends and family, and traveling.

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Linda is a family advocate inspired by her daughter Ashley.  She has worked with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families for over 20 years.  She is currently active in family groups who are working to improve community supports for those with developmental disabilities in WA.

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Joy Novak is a seasoned professional with a background in marketing and a knack for creative problem-solving. She has dedicated much of her career to serving non-profit and service-focused agencies, including a notable tenure as President of Kitsap County Insurance Professionals. Joy's commitment to community shines through her passion for giving back, a value she upholds both professionally and personally.

Since the birth of her son Joe, Joy has become a dedicated advocate for neurodivergent communities. Drawing from her firsthand experience as a parent, she
acts as a vital link between families and service providers, ensuring tailored support for those with specific needs. Beyond her professional endeavors, Joy finds fulfillment in her weekly volunteer work at Stephen’s House and enjoys hobbies ranging from savoring good food and live music to indulging in Netflix marathons and cheering on sports teams with her son and daughter.​