Staff & Board

Our Staff

To email any of our staff, just click on their name.

Sue Ellen Heflin has been the Executive Director of the Whatcom Volunteer Center since September of 2004. She came to the WVC after more than 20 years in arts administration – 19 of them in Spokane. Sue Ellen is particularly interested in people who volunteer to make their communities reflect their interests and concerns – changing their communities and their lives through individual action. In her long and varied career, Sue Ellen has volunteered for biking and arts events, as a board member for an energy rates organization, and as a forming board member for a farm/park conservancy.
Jodi joined the WVC in 2009, coming from a 28 year background in training, management and program planning right here in Whatcom County. She earned her Master’s in Adult Education at Western Washington University. Jodi raised her children here because of the great people, great schools, and safe, fun environment. A life-long volunteer, Jodi has also helped to raise money for numerous causes, served on several non-profit boards, and continues to help as a volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Whatcom County Parks. She has a deep love for this community, and hopes to be an active part of problem-solving and organizing volunteers to productively fill our community needs. There is a special place in her heart for seniors and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve with these experienced folks she calls: “our most valuable community resource.”
Dan Hammill has worked at the Whatcom Volunteer Center since October 2005. He is a graduate from Western Washington University and a Kulshan CLT homeowner. His interests include making films, writing, politics and biking.
Aly is a Western Washington University alum since 2006, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science and Social Studies. She then received a certificate to teach secondary education in 2008. Since she had been a Chore Program volunteer and office intern for over a year, she gladly accepted the role of director in order to continue serving seniors and people with disabilities in the community. Aly considers herself a Bellinghamster, and loves how walkable and environmentally friendly the city is. The most important parts of Bellingham are the active community, coffee, and great restaurants!
Bringing lots of experience as an Administrative Assistant to her job–having worked in business, law and education–our Office Manager, Susan Porter, is happy to be in a job that has a lot of variety and where she can use her creativity. With a small staff, times can be hectic, but, she enjoys meeting the interesting people that come in our doors and living in such a beautiful place close to her daughter and two grandsons (the two loves of her life).
Lois has twenty-nine years experience in financial management of non-profits. She feels like she is helping with all the great volunteer work by keeping the finances in good order.
Rebecca grew up in Arlington, WA and graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in environmental journalism in June 2009. She is excited she can stay in Bellingham with her first job after college as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Whatcom Volunteer Center. Rebecca loves the Pacific Northwest (even the rain) and in her free time can be found running, biking, gardening or taking care of her four beautiful chickens.
Lisa grew up in Vancouver, Wash. She graduated from Western Washington University in 2009 with a degree in Journalism and minor in Women’s Studies. Before coming to the Volunteer Center as an AmeriCorps VISTA, Lisa worked for Vancouver Public Schools in the Communications Office. In her free time Lisa enjoys traveling, hiking, baking and watching good movies.Lisa is the Special Projects and Events Coordinator VISTA for the House 2 Home Network.
Katy Nydam grew up in Oak Harbor, Washington. She came to Western Washington University where she played varsity soccer and double majored in Communication and Spanish. After graduating in 2007, she worked as a Guardian ad Litem for Northwest Family and Children’s Services, working with neglected and abused children. She enjoys playing soccer, spending time with her family and close friends, and the outdoors. Katy is the Outreach Coordinator VISTA at Whatcom Volunteer Center.

WVC Board of Directors 2010

President:  Russ Whidbee
Vice President/Treasurer:  Nancy Mendelsohn
Secretary:  Cheryl Collins    
Immediate Past President:  Noel Paus        
Member:  Diana Bakkom
Member:  Louise Bjornson
Member:  Helen Moran
Member:  Tessa Rawitzer
Member:  Christina VanWingerden