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
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.
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