About Us

Once, sitting at an office desk amidst piles of home mortgage loans, Valerie asked herself... what in the world was someone with a Comparative Sociology degree (and an emphasis in Cultural Anthropology no less) doing juggling the mortgage processing for dozens of home loans? What at the time seemed a mid-twenty-something crisis, in retrospect, turned out to provide invaluable administrative and organizational skills. She utilized these later while working in young nonprofits, helping them take the early steps toward organizational maturity. In 1999, Valerie and her husband Tom became part of the Krista Colleague Charter Class. They embarked on a year long volunteer assignment in Kenya, bringing Valerie back to the root of her passion for engaging socio-cultural identity, responsible development and the inherent power and privilege dynamics. Upon her return to the United States she joined the Board of the Krista Foundation. Valerie continued to work in the business world and then with Mustard Seed Associates, an international Christian ecumenical ministry where she played a central role in designing their programs. She later became the Krista Foundation's first Program Director where she provided exceptional talent and leadership in shaping the distinctive nature of the Krista Colleague program. The Foundation provides the perfect platform for combining her long time care for healthy development & volunteer service practices (service ethics) with over a decade of youth and young adult mentoring and leadership development. A gifted writer, she has also served as Managing Editor (aka midwife) for The Global Citizen journal.

Additionally, her great joy is to play in the forest with her son Caden, have friends over for dinner, grow vegetables, and toss the Frisbee for her Australian Shepherd, Luna.

Destiny first joined the Krista Foundation family back in 2000, when he received the Grant and became a Krista Colleague. After 17 months working in community development with Agros International, he returned to Seattle with an intense need to process the insights and stories he brought back. The Krista Foundation community became an anchor of support through his transition, and he has remained an active volunteer for most Krista Foundation activities. Destiny joined the Krista Foundation staff member in August of 2007. He was an involved student leader on the SPU campus, and after his return from Central America he spent 4 years as a Case Manager for Latinos in Seattle who are HIV-positive through Lifelong AIDS Alliance. Destiny's non-profit expertise, commitment to seeing service done right, and first-hand experience of the value of the Krista Foundation serve him well as he composes newsletters and plans events.

In his off-time, Destiny enjoys cycling, salsa dancing (and teaching), soccer, listening to music, gardening, and sharing a meal or beverage with friends or family. Click here to check out his colleague profile.

Gordon joined us December of 2009 as our work study student from Seattle University. He is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Psychology. He plans to extend his education into Law School following his four year degree. Gordon was Student Ambassador whom went to Australia and indulged into many different cultures. He was introduced to the aboriginal tribe and learned about Australian Parliament. His experience from Business Professionals of America (BPA) brings many useful business skills that will help the Krista Foundation by providing Administrative Support to other staff and colleagues. He looks forward to gaining a greater understanding what service can do for not only the spirit of the community, but the spirit of one's self as well.

 

Tami Fenno is a graduate of University of Washington and Multnomah Biblical Seminary. Tami greatly appreciates the Foundation's value for Christian ecumenical learning and brings rich experience from her own family story, where her beloved grandmother plays a prominent role as a self described charismatic Episcopalian. After working for 8 years in full-time youth ministry, Tami is pursuing a career change into the field of nursing. Tami became aware of the Krista Foundation through her good friends, Marcus and Kathy Ryan. Seminary trained and with a passion for discipleship, mentoring, missions and service, her heart is at home in the Krista community. In 2006 she had a unique opportunity to live in a rural Kenyan village for the summer, partnering with local pastors in shepherding and caring for the community. This was an experience that helped confirm in her a heart that longs for people "to live life with a heart for Jesus, a passion for service, and with global understanding." She is pictured here with her good friend, Phyllis Juma. Tami and her husband, Nathan live in Seattle and absolutely enjoy the outdoors, ferry rides, and a pedestrian society.