Who We Are
The Imagine Institute was founded by a group of family child care providers in partnership with their union, SEIU 925.
Together they hoped to build an organization for early learning professionals, by early learning professionals. Our name comes from a conference in which SEIU 925 members imagined a future filled with professional opportunity, financial wellbeing, and access to quality education. The Imagine Institute is rooted in the belief that this future is possible, as long as providers guide the way.
Our Mission
To create community relationships and innovative early learning programs that empower people, caring every day for every generation.
Our Vision
To support affordable, high-quality care for every child in Washington State by building an accessible, strong and diverse development system that elevates and improves the lives of child care providers and professionals.
Our Leadership Team
With our expertise and experience our team will go beyond for you!
Cate Bridenstine
(she/her)
Chief Executive Officer
Language(s):
English, Spanish,
Swedish
Amelia Vassar
(she/her)
Senior Director of
Equity and Evaluation
Language(s): English
Jennifer Ramirez
(she/her)
Senior Director of Marketing and Communications
Language(s): English, Tagalog
Pauli Owen
(she/her)
Interim Senior Director of
Programs
Language(s): English
Travis De Nevers
(he/him)
Senior Director of People
and Organizational Development
Language(s): English
Our Team Members
With our expertise and experience our team will go beyond for you!
Aida Rodriguez
(she/her)
Shared Services
Program
Manager
Language(s): English, Spanish
Allison Jesus
(she/they)
Shared Services
Program Assistant
Language(s): English
Amber Havens
(she/her)
Relationship-Based Professional Development (RBPD) Specialist
Language(s): English
Awes Hassan
(he/him)
Bilingual Technical
Assistant (Somali)
Language(s): English, Somali
Amun Ahmed
(she/her)
Technical Assistant
Language(s): Arabic, English, Somali
Carli Meek
(she/her)
Imagine U
Program Manager
Language(s): English
Catalina Arias
(she/her)
Substitute Pool
Program Manager
Language(s): English, Spanish
Courtney Chalmers
(she/her)
Imagine U
Program Assistant
Language(s): English, Spanish
Christopher DeRuvo
(he/him)
Data Specialist
Language(s): English
Devon Allen
(he/him)
Marketing & Communications
Program Lead
Language(s): English
Deqa Hassan
(she/her)
Technical Assistant
Language(s): English, Somali
Emma Nielsen
(she/her)
Training Program Lead
Language(s): English, Spanish
Gabrielle Bivins
(she/her)
Imagine U Program Lead
Language(s): English
Haya Shahin
(she/her)
Technical Assistant
Language(s): Arabic, English
Liz Roberts
(she/they)
Executive Assistant
Language(s): English, Intermediate Spanish
Leah Stup
(she/her)
Operations Specialist
Language(s): English, Spanish
Lourdes Flores
(she/they)
Design Lead
Language(s): English, French, Spanish
Maria Mora
(she/her)
Relationship-Based Professional Development (RBPD) Specialist
Language(s): English, Spanish
Marie Keller
(she/her)
Director of Facility Growth and Development
Language(s): English
Marlene Gutierrez
(she/her)
Technical Assistant
Language(s): English, Spanish
Miriam Acosta
(she/her)
Technical Assistant
& Outreach Program Manager
Language(s): English, Spanish
Monica Sanchez
(she/her)
Technical Assistant
Language(s): English, Spanish
Nawaal Abdi
(she/her)
Substitute Pool
Program Assistant
Language(s): Arabic, English,
Kiswahili, Somali
Perla Garcia
(she/her)
Technical Assistance
& Outreach Program Lead
Language(s): English, Spanish
Rena MacKenzie
(she/her)
Director of Training
& Professional Pathways
Language(s): English
Sabah Saed
(she/her)
Technical Assistance
& Outreach Program Lead
Language(s): English, Somali
Sam Villegas
(she/they)
Accountant
Language(s): English, some Spanish
Sherri Lee
(she/her)
Technical Assistance
Coordinator
Language(s): English
Zeinab Ahmed
(she/her)
Technical Assistant
Language(s): English, Somali, Swahili
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Join Our Innovative Team
The Imagine Institute is comprised of forward thinkers. Our diverse team strives to achieve the highest standards of quality training. Learn more about exciting opportunities to join our team.
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
Sign up for all the latest
news and offers
About Us
Quick Links
Get Social
© 2024 The Imagine Institute. All rights reserved.