Board Members

Joining our Board of Directors in 2018, Wade is an Executive Director of Learning Improvement, in the School Operations and Academic Support Department, at the Kent School District. Prior to that position. He was at Kent Meridian High School as the Principal 2007-2018 and Assistant Principal 2004-2007.

Joining our Board of Directors in 2020, Erica works at Kent Downtown Partnership and is very active with businesses in our community.

Joining the Board of Directors in 2016, Karen previously served as a Kent School District Board Director and is a retired school teacher. She is the proud CIS mentor of several KSD students.

Joining our Board of Directors in 2019, Marie works in management for the Transportation division at Amazon and has been supportive of our school supply drive, Giving Tree and work with students and families in the community.

Joining our Board of Directors in 2021, Awale was originally from Somalia and has raised his four children with his wife in our community. Currently an active member of Kiwanis and volunteers for local non-profits in our Kent and South King County community.

Joining the Board of Directors in 2019, Jessica is our current CIS Board of Directors President. Since 2015, Jessica has served as the Vice President of Student Services at Renton Technical College. Previous to that, Jessica spent over 15 years of service in various leadership roles within Student Affairs at Green River College.

A charter member of the Communities In Schools of Kent Board of Directors, Mike Heinisch is the previous Executive Director of Kent Youth and Family Services, retired in 2020. He is currently serving as the Board of Directors Treasurer.

Joining our Board of Directores in 2014 and currently serving as Vice President, Tim is a Regional Director for Umpqua Bank, managing 40 branches in Western Washington and has been with Umpqua for over 8 years.

Joining our Board in 2019, we welcome Tray's expertise in our local community, in business, in non-profits and through his participation in the local Kent Rotary Club.

Joining our Board of Directors in 2014, Jeff Wagner is our most recent past President of the Board of Directors, serving from 2019-2021. He is the current Mayor of the City of Covington and also the Municipal Manager for Republic Services, South King County.

Joining the Board of Directors in 2004, Tom retired from Windermere in 2014. He has previously served as the President from 2009 to 2013 and has been an active CIS mentor for many years.

Joining the Board of Directors in August 2014, Brannon is a veteran 20+ year employee at Microsoft. He is our technology guru and extremely supportive of CIS of Kent's staff, and our work with students, families and KSD staff.