OuR TEAM
Staff
Colleen Carmichael
Executive Director |
Colleen Carmichael joined the Quixote team as our new Executive Director in September 2021. She offers an extensive background in homeless housing, finance, community outreach, and fundraising. She was the co-founder and Executive Director of Reach for Home, a nonprofit in Healdsburg, California, that provided services to vulnerable people throughout Sonoma County. Colleen has a history of successful non-profit leadership and is committed to service in her personal and professional life. She has a BS in Business Management from Notre Dame de Namur. In her free time she likes to hike the forests, kayak on the Sound and read both fiction and non-fiction books.
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Jaycie Brown
Associate Director |
Jaycie was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest in Port Angeles, Washington. She earned both her degrees (BA in Social Work and Masters in Public Administration) at the Evergreen State College in Olympia. Jaycie has worked for Quixote Communities since June 2015, starting as the Case Manager at Quixote Village. She believes housing is a basic right and that everyone deserves a place where they feel they belong. In her spare time, Jaycie likes to go on walks with her dog, spend time with family and friends, and read with her book club.
Jaycie received the Thurston County Homeless Housing Hero Award in March of 2019 for her work at Quixote and the community at large, and the Homes First Heroes for Housing Award in October 2019. |
Ken Bailey
Program Manager 
Sydney Burgos
Community Support Specialist |
Ken grew up in King County, Washington before moving to Olympia to attend the Evergreen State College, earning his degree(BA in Computer Science). Before landing at Quixote Ken worked in homeless outreach with the City of Olympia and as a peer counselor in inpatient behavioral health.
He spends his free time with family and friends playing games, cooking, watching cartoons and reading. Sydney Burgos was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. She is an Army veteran. She earned her Bachelor of Science in industrial-organizational psychology from University of Phoenix. Sydney is also a VetCorps navigator through the WDVA. She spends her free time with her husband and kids playing games, and cooking.
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QUIXOTE VILLAGE - OLYMPIA, WA
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Hailee Saxton
Program Supervisor |
Hailee was born and raised in Minnesota, and before relocating to Washington in May of 2021, she earned her degree (BA in Political Science and minors in both Philosophy and Criminal Justice) from Bemidji State University. Before coming to Quixote, Hailee worked in both homeless outreach and addiction and mental health services. She believes access to safe housing, no matter your circumstance, is a fundamental human right, and her work with addiction and mental health has fed a deep understanding of the systemic foundations of homelessness and substance abuse, as well as a driving desire to make positive change. With her free time, Hailee enjoys reading, spending time with her partner and pets, and gaming with friends.
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Marissa Finn
Case Manager |
Marissa earned her AA at SPSCC and BA in sociology and law and justice from Central WA University. She began her journey in the social work field working for DSHS and after 3 years, decided to change her approach to social services, trusting and supporting the permanent supportive housing model QV provides. “I think this model brings a more efficient approach to homelessness, with impacts and results happening much faster.” She has had training in Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Crisis Response, and Emergency Management.
Marissa spends free time with her family and animals, tinkering around the house, cooking/baking/eating, and enjoying the outdoors in the PNW. |
Kyle Shannon
Case Manager |
Kyle was born in the Midwest (Wisconsin and Iowa), but spent the majority of his youth and young adult life in Lewis County, Washington. After graduating from the Evergreen State College, he moved around the West Coast and eventually moved back to Washington. Kyle is a passionate student and teacher of Kokondo Karate, and holds a 2nd degree blackbelt. Through Kokondo, he had the opportunity to travel all across the United States and Europe. In his free time, if he isn't reading he likes to walk and play with his German Shepard - Husky mix Nahla.
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ORTING VETERANS VILLAGE
Dave Redman
Program Supervisor |
Dave hails from the East Coast. He is married and has two daughters. He retired from the U.S. Army in 2015 as a Signal Corps Major after spending 16 years overseas learning about different cultures. He holds a Bachelors of Science degree and an M.B.A. He loves to learn, and is constantly trying new things: his passions include anything in the outdoors, woodworking, cooking, welding and many others.
He is also a general contractor, spending most of his weekends buying, fixing and flipping houses. He loves to use the skills he has learned to benefit the residents of the Orting Veterans Village, their community and surroundings. |
Kristina Vassel-Sparks
Case Manager |
Kristina Vassel-Sparks moved to Washington in 2018 from Florida. Kristina is married to an army veteran who served 22 years in the U.S. Army. Kristina received her Bachelor's in Business Administration and is currently working on her MSW through Walden University. Kristina has 20 years of working in the medical field and a year as a behavioral case manager. Working with both adults and youth. Kristina spends her free time with her husband, son and animals.
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Mike Giles
Case Manager |
Board of Directors
Joe Shorin
President Elected January 2017 |
Joe Shorin has a passion for public service. For more than 30 years, Joe served as legal counsel for several state agencies, boards and commissions, focusing on environmental, natural resources, real estate, and tribal law. Joe has also served as a member of several non-profit and advisory boards, including the Thurston County Volunteer Legal Clinic, the Cooper Point Association, the Thurston County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, the Washington State Bar Foundation’s Loan Repayment Assistance Advisory Committee, and the NOVA School. Joe’s other passions include cooking, gardening, backpacking, cycling, reading, racquet sports, home improvement/repair, and reading books about dead presidents. Joe received his BA in Environmental Studies from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, and his law degree, with emphasis in Natural Resources Law, from the University of Oregon.
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Beth Doglio
Vice President Elected January 2021 |
Beth Doglio is a former State Representative, community organizer and mother of two. Throughout her career, Beth has worked for a thriving, sustainable, just and compassionate future for all.
Serving in the Legislature from 2017 - 2020, Beth led on the environment, housing, gun safety, and issues facing working families. She helped lead the passage of groundbreaking legislation to empower workers through higher wages and improved protections; to make Washington a leader in the fight against climate change; and to provide more resources to address homelessness. As Vice Chair of the Capital Budget committee, she secured millions in funding for infrastructure projects, land preservation and recreation, housing, and clean energy. She was a member of the LGBTQ Caucus serving on Transportation, Energy and Environment, Labor and Workforce Standards and the Technology and Economic Development Committees. After graduating from Indiana University with a degree in Political Science and Telecommunications, Beth moved to Washington state in 1987. Beth’s environmental leadership in our state began three decades ago as the founding Executive Director of Washington Conservation Voters (WCV). Following her time at WCV she worked for the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL), Audubon Washington, the City of Seattle and Climate Solutions. She also volunteered at the Noel House Homeless shelter and served on the Board of Directors of Solid Ground, giving her keen insight into the homelessness and affordability challenges facing our region today. Currently she serves as a consultant focused on climate, housing and community projects. Beth is a current Board Member of Win With Women, the YMCA, Victory Fund and serves as the President of the PARC Foundation. She loves back country skiing, backpacking, canoeing, yoga, good food, and laughter. |
Brendan VanderVelde
Treasurer Elected January 2018 |
As VP of Operations at Hemphill-O’Neill Company Brendan manages and directs the planning, budgeting and operations for all forestland activities in close collaboration with other members of the executive management team. Prior to that, Brendan served as the Budget Director for the State of Washington’s Attorney General’s office, overseeing the AG’s budget development, expenditure projection and reporting, as well as billing and cash flow management. Brendan received a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Accounting from the University of Ottawa, and an MBA from the University of Washington. He is keen to serve the local community and explore and implement thoughtful and effective solutions to present day issues. He lives in Rochester, Washington, with his wife Erin, and their 4 young children.
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Arin Long
Secretary Elected April 2019 |
Hi. My name is Arin Long. To better understand why I chose to be a part of the Quixote Communities board, you have to know a little bit about my story. In 2012, I lost everything due to a house fire. I found myself homeless and lost in my addiction. I came across a tent city called Camp Quixote. Four months later, it transition into permanent housing call Quixote Village in Olympia, Washington. There I was able to get my life back together. I got clean off drugs. I addressed my mental health issues. My anxiety and paranoia subsided. I became a leader for my community. I was one of the original residents and lived at Quixote Village for the next four years. QV changed and saved my life! Having affordable stable housing is exactly what I needed to better my life. In 2017, I left my tiny home and moved on, giving someone else a chance to get off the streets. I have a passion for the homelessness and people who are still stuck in their addiction. I have overcame the challenges of my mental health issues and addiction. I am a current student of South Puget Sound Community College and start the Medical Assisting Program in fall 2019. Outside of school and work, I enjoy gardening, photography, nature hikes, and working a program of recovery.
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Gina Chamberlain
Elected July 2020 |
Bio coming soon!
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Darcy Huffman
Elected April 2021 |
Darcy has made her home here in Olympia for the last 25 years. While she has lived in a number of places throughout her life, she has always known that Washington was “her dirt.” She has more than 25 years of experience in banking, finance, and risk management and for almost 10 years she was the Communication and Resource Director for The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd in Olympia. It was through Good Shepherd that she first became involved with Quixote Village.
Through her faith community, Darcy has spent almost 20 years advocating for those experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and a lack of quality healthcare. In 2021 Darcy was elected to the Olympia School Board as a representative of District 3. In her spare time she loves to garden, read, and travel with her husband, Trevor. |
Heather Kranz
Elected May 2019 |
Heather is a mental health counselor currently working for Behavioral Health Resources at the Providence Community Care Center, providing care to the unhoused neighbors in our community. She has a degree in Existential-Phenomenological Psychology from Seattle University and worked in Seattle providing mental health and substance abuse treatment at a community mental health center before moving to Olympia. She believes that stable housing is essential for healing from addiction and mental illness and the foundation many need to start living healthy lives. On her off time, she enjoys climbing, backpacking and skiing.
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Shelby is a longtime resident of Olympia whose passion for Thurston County continues to grow abundantly. She graduated from Western Washington University in 2017 with a BA in Sociology, a minor in Geography, and a minor in Communication Studies-- complete with a large dream of changing the world through human connection, sustainable development, and a community founded on robust services for everyone. Promptly after graduating, she found herself back in Olympia to work in local politics and pursue a career in the social services sector. Currently, Shelby is the Village Coordinator at Hope Village, a transitional tiny house village in Olympia. With the help of her husband, Zack, they built their very own tiny house which they have lived in for the last year and a half. Together, they love to garden + raise chickens, explore on skis, bikes, surfboards, cook delicious food, and spend time with their wonderful community. When she is not having fun with Zack or working with Hope Village, she is a wedding + portrait Photographer and runs a small-scale pottery business.
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Jim is a retired attorney and former banker. He is widowed with one son and grandson. Jim likes gardening, practicing guitar, and doing volunteer work.
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Lonnie Spikes Jr.
Elected July 2020 |
Retiring after 22 years in the military, Lonnie has been living in the Pacific NorthWest since 2006. Lonnie has over twenty years of leadership as a Senior Advisor to Commanders, Directors, and Executive Management. In the Army, Lonnie has held positions ranging from Squad leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant and Task Force Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC).
Lonnie currently works as the Human Resource Director of a large agency. Lonnie holds as Master of Science in Human Resource Management, a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership and Change Management. Lonnie has worked in HR for over 14 years, as a Leave and Worker’s Compensation Consultant, Safety, Wellness, Diversity Coordinator, and now the Human Resource Director. Lonnie’s successes in HR include achieving “back to back” Governor’s Employer of the Year Award for Disability for 2015 and 2016. Lonnie has received recognition for his work with veterans in 2016 and receiving the YesVets 2017 Award for employing the most veterans in the five county area. Lonnie helped to found and was elected by his peers to lead the 2015-2016 Washington State Veteran Employee Resource Group (VERG). This was recognized by Governor Inslee. Lonnie was also twice elected by both private and public sector peers as the 2011 and 2013 Society of Human resource Management (SHRM) Olympia Chapter President provided leadership and facilitation to over 170 chapter members. During this time, the chapter hosted the first Washington State Disability Conference (2010) and achieved SHRM’s highest levels of national awards for excellence. Lonnie also founded and is one of the leader’s on Washington State’s Blacks United In Leadership and Diversity (BUILD), an employee resource group for Washington State employees. |
