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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)

Executive Director

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

Jessica Jones

(she/her)

Senior Director of
Operations & Partnerships


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)

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

Carli Meek

(she/her)

Program Manager

Language(s): English

Catalina Arias

(she/her)

Program Lead

Language(s): English, Spanish

Courtney Chalmers

(she/her)

Program Assistant

Language(s): English, Spanish

Christopher DeRuvo

(he/him)

Data Specialist

Language(s): English

Emma Nielsen

(she/her)

Training Program Lead

Language(s): English, Spanish

Gabrielle Bivins

(she/her)

Career Pathways Program Lead

Language(s): 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/her)

Training Program
Assistant


Language(s): English, Spanish

Maria Mora

(she/her)

College Connect
Specialist


Language(s): English, Spanish

Marie Keller

(she/her)

Director of Facility Growth and Development

Language(s): English

Miriam Acosta

(she/her)

CCSGTA Technical
Assistance Lead


Language(s): English, Spanish

The Imagine Institute - transparent logo

Nawaal Abdi

(she/her)

Program
Assistant


Language(s): English, Somali

Pauli Owen

(she/her)

Director of Technical
Assistance & Outreach


Language(s): English

Rena MacKenzie

(she/her)

Director of
Training


Language(s): English

Sabah Saed

(she/her)

CCSGTA Technical
Assistance Lead


Language(s): English, Somali

Sam Villegas

(they/them, she/her)

Accountant

Language(s): English

Sherri Lee

(she/her)

CCSGTA Technical Assistance Coordinator

Language(s): English

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.