Jennifer Eddleman has resided in beautiful Skagit County for over 30 years—working, volunteering, and raising her two children in our community. As a real estate agent at Windermere, she enjoys helping families find their place in our community. Outside of her professional career, Jennifer believes strongly in giving back, including serving on SPARC’s Board of Directors.
As a mother, whose adult son is on the autism spectrum, Jennifer felt a personal connection to SPARC’s mission and programming. “Had my son been diagnosed early enough, he would have benefitted from the programs SPARC offers. I want to help ensure other families get the early learning and therapy support that can make such a difference.”
Jennifer’s lived experiences drove her to serve as SPARC’s Board President. Through her service she aims to support the overarching mission of SPARC to help children reach their full potential and empower families with the resources they need.
Growing up in Washington, Kyle Reep is proud to be a graduate of Mount Vernon High School and Alumni from Washington State University’s Business Program. After graduation Kyle pursued a career as a financial advisor with a focus on investing and financial planning for clients in our community.
When asked why he chose to serve on SPARC’s Board, Kyle said he initially joined our board because he had friends that utilized SPARC. As he became more familiar with SPARC the more he resonated with our organization, saying, “The more I learned, the more I liked how SPARC is there when families are in need—oftentimes when they don’t know where to turn.”
Offering insights to SPARC’s board as a long-time resident, Kyle helps to guide our organizational direction. Through his local connections and knowledge of our community he hopes to increase awareness of SPARC and the services we provide. His goal is to ensure more families in Skagit County have access to the vital services offered through SPARC.
“I chose to serve on SPARC’s board because I believe deeply in the transformative power of community support; especially when it comes to nurturing children. I have witnessed firsthand how crucial early intervention and specialized care can be for child development, and I am inspired to give back to an organization that does such incredible work in the Skagit County Community.”
Dan Milfred not only serves on SPARC’s Board of Directors but works as an executive at a local Skagit County company, PWT. He recognizes the SPARC’s mission resonates in both his personal life and professional career, making his service on the board a perfect fit.
“The commitment to serving children while providing families with the emotional support and resources they need reflects the kind of compassionate, inclusive community I want to help build. By supporting SPARC, I have the opportunity to contribute to something truly meaningful: ensuring that every child, regardless of their developmental needs or challenges, has access to specialized care and educational opportunities that will help them thrive.”
Studying at Seattle University, Lauren Christian earned a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and is a current involved with Leadership Skagit. This knowledge has been a guide during her work as a nonprofit professional with over 8 years of experience aiding individuals and families navigating homelessness and reentry challenges. In her current role she serves as the Executive Assistant and Development Associate at Family Promise of Skagit Valley, a local nonprofit with a mission to support homeless families as they work to provide their children with loving homes.
Her journey with SPARC didn’t begin as a board member though. Lauren first encountered our program when she was seeking support for her then 3-year-old son after his autism diagnosis. During her time getting to know SPARC she discovered our services encompass so much more than she first realized.
“What I found was more than just resources, I discovered a community I deeply connected with and a mission that aligned with both my personal and professional values. Serving on SPARC’s board allows me to give back by using my lived experience, education, and passion to uplift other families on similar journeys.”
Addelle Diedesch is a mental health therapist specializing in perinatal mental health and
supporting parents of young children. She brings both professional expertise and lived
experience to her role on the Board. Her background includes work in child, adolescent, and family mental health, including community-based and school-embedded services, and she has supported Indigenous families through culturally affirming care.
Today, Addelle serves as the Skagit and North Sound Site Manager of the Parent Resilience
Program with Perinatal Support Washington, where she provides reflective supervision to peer Parent Support Specialists, builds community partnerships, and guides program growth. She also maintains a private mental health therapy practice.
As the parent of an autistic son and part of a proud neurodivergent family, Addelle has firsthand experience navigating early intervention, SPARC preschool, IEPs, and family supports. She celebrates the creativity, joy, and resilience of neurodivergent families, families of children with developmental differences, and families navigating disabilities, and values bringing both parent and provider perspectives to her Board role.
Ana Rivas, a first-generation college graduate with a master’s in social work, has dedicated her career to supporting BIPOC, Spanish-speaking, and immigrant communities. She is the Program Coordinator for O.U.R. Journey, a youth empowerment organization with a focus on supporting at-risk youth.
“SPARC’s mission resonates with me on both a personal and professional level. Growing up in a community impacted by trauma and systemic inequities, I know firsthand how important it is to have spaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported. My own family has benefited from SPARC’s programs, which makes the mission deeply meaningful to me. Professionally, as a social worker and community advocate, my work is rooted in the same values building resilience, advancing equity, and creating healing-centered opportunities for individuals and families. SPARC’s mission aligns with my passion for ensuring that marginalized communities not only have access to resources but also feel empowered to thrive.”
Through board service, Ana hopes to strengthen SPARC’s programs. Leveraging her lived and professional experiences will ensure SPARC continues to be a strong force for equity, healing, and positive change with culturally responsive services and community connections.
April Moore is proud to have strong roots in Skagit County. She was born and raised in Mount Vernon and continues to be involved in the community. In 2023 she completed Leadership Skagit, an intensive leadership development program designed to inspire and prepare participants for leadership roles in our community. Volunteering is at the core of April’s sense of identity, driving her to also serve on two other boards within our community.
Outside of her community involvement and pursuit of leadership and volunteer opportunities April finds fulfillment through her family, who also put down roots right her in Skagit County. She is proud to be a wife, mother, and dog mom to Slinky, a mini dachshund full of personality and love to give.
When asked what drives her to serve on SPARC’s Board April said, “SPARC kids learn, grow, and teach us the unapologetic way they understand this world, and that in itself is worth being part of this amazing team.”
Living and working in Skagit County, Erin Burkholder takes pride in serving her community through both professional and personal endeavors. Her professional career has led her to a position as the Contracts and Risks Manager at Fisher Construction Group.
Erin first encountered SPARC after a friend introduced her to our organization. Connecting with SPARC’s mission, Erin joined the board in 2013. Her ties to SPARC deepened over the years, progressing beyond board service to having family members enroll in SPARC’s programming. Since joining SPARC, Erin has offered unwavering support to our organization ever since.
“When I first learned about SPARC’s mission, I was struck by the critical role SPARC plays in supporting local families navigating new diagnoses and the complex world of early intervention services. Since joining the Board, SPARC has become personal to me, as members of my own family have benefited from its preschool program and therapies. It’s an honor to support SPARC and the meaningful, life-changing work it does in our community every day.”
As a mother of six, Rachelle Eason experienced the tremendous impact of SPARC’s work firsthand when her newborn twins received occupational therapy services through the center in 2001. The positive experience she had with our programs inspired Rachelle to give back to SPARC by serving on the board of directors and helping families like hers.
Rachelle has deep roots in the Skagit County community. Having been a long-time resident and practicing law locally since 2001, she brings connections and community knowledge to SPARC. In a mission to continue her education she is currently completing a PhD in Leadership and Change, with her research focused on stress management and resilience. These skills blend seamlessly with SPARC’s mission.
Rachelle is deeply committed to SPARC’s mission of supporting children with unique needs and helping families build a strong foundation for lifelong success. Applying her professional expertise, educational background, lived experiences, and heartfelt dedication she is proud to serve and strengthen our vital community resource.
Reilly Russell’s passion for community involvement has persevered throughout her life. Starting with volunteer work with the Enumclaw Parks and Recreation Department and developing into participation in service organizations like Key Club and the Lions Club. This drive to serve her community continues today, with her position on SPARC’s Board.
Reilly brings over 7 years of experience in the construction industry, currently working as a Civil Project Manager at TRICO Companies in Burlington, WA. Using her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from University of Washington she plays lead roles in a wide range of infrastructure projects throughout the community. Leveraging her leadership skills, she is excited to help SPARC strengthen its impact on the community.
“SPARC’s mission resonates with my belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive from the very beginning. SPARC’s nurturing, individualized support for children reflects values that I hold close: empathy, equity, and early empowerment. It’s moving to see how SPARC partners with families, celebrating each child’s unique strengths, helping them feel included in their community from day one. SPARC’s mission to me means hope, possibility, and shared responsibility to help every child flourish.”
