Kent Community Foundation has a remarkable history, and it's wonderful to see the early board members who played a crucial role in its establishment. Their dedication to supporting arts and education has undoubtedly had a lasting impact on the community. It's clear that their vision and commitment helped lay a strong foundation for the organizsation's continued success and growth.
We have been fortunate to have a dedicated board, committee members and advisors who have supported our current work and vision for the future.
We have been fortunate to have a dedicated board, committee members and advisors who have supported our current work and vision for the future.
Meet Our Board
Brenda Farwell, President
Since moving to Kent in 2008 Brenda Farwell has helped establish the Thunderbird Community Sports Foundation as strong support for Youth Sports in the greater Kent area giving over $1,400,000 in grants. Studied Business in College, owned and operated a landscape products/manufacturing company in Medicine Hat Alberta until moving to Washington in 1989 with her husband Russ. Brenda joined the Kent Community Foundation Board in 2011, served as vice president 3 yrs and 4 yrs as president. Working with the foundation board to “strengthen and support our community through philanthropy and partnerships” is an honor and a pleasure, Brenda says.
Cathy Wahlin, Vice President
Born in Eugene, Oregon and raised in Kirkland and Redmond, Cathy graduated from Redmond High School and Washington State University. She lived with her family in the Kent/Covington area for over 22 years before moving to West Seattle in 2015. Cathy works as a full-time residential realtor since 2004 for Windermere Real Estate. Cathy enjoys being involved in the community by being an ambassador for the Covington Chamber of Commerce, volunteering at Habitat for Humanity and various PTA’s in the Kent School District. Cathy has been involved with Kent Community Foundation since 2007, currently serving on the board of directors.
Stacy Daniels, Treasurer
Stacy grew up in Kent and has volunteered for nonprofits and PTSA as treasurer.
Allyson Johnson, Secretary
Allyson Johnson joined the Kent Community Foundation in August 2021 after a year of helping to coordinate the food distribution efforts for the Kent Community Partners. Allyson and her husband Carl have raised 3 children in the Kent School District; all three have graduated from Kentridge High School. Allyson has volunteered in many capacities over several years from elementary, middle and high school PTSA President, Kent Area Council President, Washington State PTA Region 9 Director and lots of different PTSA committees. Several years she has volunteered with Citizens for Kent Schools and a year as a mentor with Communities for Kent Schools. She works for the Kent School District as a Health Tech and Administrative Assistant at a local elementary school. Allyson has been involved with the Kent Schools Foundation for about six years.
Han Kirkland, Director
Works for Waste Management, moving to the private sector after a 19 year position with the City of Tukwila. After emigrating to the US from Vietnam in 1978, Han has spent over 30 years in Kent . She is actively involved in the Kent community, having served on the Kent International Festival Steering Committee for a few years and with local PTA’s at the elementary and high school levels. She loves her community and looks forward to supporting the Kent Community Foundation thrive through partnerships and philanthropy.
Carolyn Tolas, Director
Carolyn is a founding member of the Kent Community Foundation board. She rejoined the board to continue advocating for scholarships and to help educate the community of the new roles that the Foundation has taken on. Carolyn is a past Kent School Board member, and Washington State Board of Education member.
Dino Traverso, MS,CPA – Director & Advisor
Dino graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor degree in Accounting in 2000. He obtained his CPA license in 2002. Dino obtained his Master’s degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University in 2004. He began working in public accounting in 2001 and opened his own practice in 2007. He has accounting experience not just in public accounting, but private accounting as well, when he worked as a staff accountant from 1996 until 2000. Dino has served as Treasurer for several non-profit organizations, as a board member for various businesses and other entities, and has done volunteer work for the Washington State Board of Accountancy. He is an active member of the Washington State Society of CPAs and the America Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Since moving to Kent in 2008 Brenda Farwell has helped establish the Thunderbird Community Sports Foundation as strong support for Youth Sports in the greater Kent area giving over $1,400,000 in grants. Studied Business in College, owned and operated a landscape products/manufacturing company in Medicine Hat Alberta until moving to Washington in 1989 with her husband Russ. Brenda joined the Kent Community Foundation Board in 2011, served as vice president 3 yrs and 4 yrs as president. Working with the foundation board to “strengthen and support our community through philanthropy and partnerships” is an honor and a pleasure, Brenda says.
Cathy Wahlin, Vice President
Born in Eugene, Oregon and raised in Kirkland and Redmond, Cathy graduated from Redmond High School and Washington State University. She lived with her family in the Kent/Covington area for over 22 years before moving to West Seattle in 2015. Cathy works as a full-time residential realtor since 2004 for Windermere Real Estate. Cathy enjoys being involved in the community by being an ambassador for the Covington Chamber of Commerce, volunteering at Habitat for Humanity and various PTA’s in the Kent School District. Cathy has been involved with Kent Community Foundation since 2007, currently serving on the board of directors.
Stacy Daniels, Treasurer
Stacy grew up in Kent and has volunteered for nonprofits and PTSA as treasurer.
Allyson Johnson, Secretary
Allyson Johnson joined the Kent Community Foundation in August 2021 after a year of helping to coordinate the food distribution efforts for the Kent Community Partners. Allyson and her husband Carl have raised 3 children in the Kent School District; all three have graduated from Kentridge High School. Allyson has volunteered in many capacities over several years from elementary, middle and high school PTSA President, Kent Area Council President, Washington State PTA Region 9 Director and lots of different PTSA committees. Several years she has volunteered with Citizens for Kent Schools and a year as a mentor with Communities for Kent Schools. She works for the Kent School District as a Health Tech and Administrative Assistant at a local elementary school. Allyson has been involved with the Kent Schools Foundation for about six years.
Han Kirkland, Director
Works for Waste Management, moving to the private sector after a 19 year position with the City of Tukwila. After emigrating to the US from Vietnam in 1978, Han has spent over 30 years in Kent . She is actively involved in the Kent community, having served on the Kent International Festival Steering Committee for a few years and with local PTA’s at the elementary and high school levels. She loves her community and looks forward to supporting the Kent Community Foundation thrive through partnerships and philanthropy.
Carolyn Tolas, Director
Carolyn is a founding member of the Kent Community Foundation board. She rejoined the board to continue advocating for scholarships and to help educate the community of the new roles that the Foundation has taken on. Carolyn is a past Kent School Board member, and Washington State Board of Education member.
Dino Traverso, MS,CPA – Director & Advisor
Dino graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor degree in Accounting in 2000. He obtained his CPA license in 2002. Dino obtained his Master’s degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University in 2004. He began working in public accounting in 2001 and opened his own practice in 2007. He has accounting experience not just in public accounting, but private accounting as well, when he worked as a staff accountant from 1996 until 2000. Dino has served as Treasurer for several non-profit organizations, as a board member for various businesses and other entities, and has done volunteer work for the Washington State Board of Accountancy. He is an active member of the Washington State Society of CPAs and the America Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Mailing Address: Kent Community Foundation P.O. Box 5493 Kent, WA 98064-5493 |
We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization. Our Tax ID # is 91-1349506.
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