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Our Staff

Our Staff

Carma Matti-Jackson
Carma Matti-JacksonCEO
Tel (360) 352-3304, Extension 101

Carma worked as a public servant for 12 years, including seven years with the Washington State Legislature as non-partisan fiscal staff. She has been working with government regulations, budget, and finance since 2004. While she specializes in long term care and senior services, she also has experience in other social and health programs, as well as several publicly-funded, non-Medicaid programs.  Upon leaving public service, Carma worked on behalf of stakeholders in the development of a new Skilled Nursing Facility Medicaid payment system that was adopted in statute in 2016 and a new Assisted Living Medicaid payment system that was adopted in statute in 2018. She represented WHCA by staffing a subcommittee of the Nursing Commission’s Long-term Care Workforce Committee and was instrumental in developing data-driven storytelling that has brought long term care workforce issues to the forefront.

Carma has over 20 years cumulative experience in project management and public relations. Her focus has been using data and research to support strategic planning for policymakers, advocacy organizations, and senior service providers. She has a strong background in public relations and has prepared materials and presented to numerous legislative committees, legislative taskforces, legislative leadership, agency leadership, Senior Lobby, SEIU775, and the Nursing Commission, as well as providing public and private educational webinars to skilled nursing facilities and assisted living providers.

 


Elena Madrid, RN, BSN
Elena Madrid, RN, BSNExecutive Vice President for Education & Regulatory Affairs
Tel (360) 352-3304, Extension 105

Elena Madrid supports WHCA members by providing answers and insight to regulatory questions and expectations. Elena’s long and focused background in survey and enforcement as a surveyor and field manager for DSHS provide her with extensive knowledge and insight on regulatory compliance, the survey process, and policies and procedures. Elena also provides support, resources, and training regarding quality. As staff liaison to the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality and Regulatory Executive Advisory Committee for WHCA, Elena works with members to promote quality care and services at every level. At DSHS Residential Care Services where she was a field manager with oversight of assisted living and skilled nursing communities, Elena was responsible for the supervision of licensors, surveyors, and complaint investigators for assisted living communities, skilled nursing facilities, and adult family homes in eastern Washington. Elena has also worked as a director of nursing in both assisted living and skilled nursing. She is a registered nurse and brings a wealth of knowledge regarding long term care requirements and the regulatory issues affecting long term care providers. Elena is currently serving as co-chair on the AHCA Survey and Regulatory Committee and is a member of the AHCA/NCAL Quality Cabinet.

 


Lauri St. Ours
Lauri St. OursExecutive Vice President for Communications & Governmental Relations
Tel (360) 352-3304, Extension 104

Lauri St. Ours is the Executive Vice President for Governmental Relations for WHCA. In this capacity, she is responsible for oversight of state government affairs, working with the CEO and association leadership to determine legislative and policy priorities for WHCA’s skilled nursing and assisted living members. In addition to supporting the Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facility Reimbursement Committees, Lauri manages to the WHCA political action committee and oversees grassroots engagement and legislative communication strategies. As a troubleshooter and problem-solver, Lauri values strong collegial relationships with legislators and staff, state agency leaders and other stakeholders who have oversight and engagement in long term care issues. Lauri has nearly 30 years of experience working with the Washington State Legislature. Prior to joining the staff of WHCA in 2005, she served as the executive director of the Northwest Assisted Living Facilities Association for ten years. Early in her career, Lauri also worked in K-12 education advocacy in her positions with the Washington School Administrators Association and the Washington State School Directors Association.

 


Jackie Asbury
Communications Assistant
Tel (360) 352-3304, Extension 113

Jackie Asbury serves as the Communications Assistant for WHCA. With over five years of experience in customer service and marketing, combined with a lifelong background in theatre, Jackie specializes in connecting with people on a deep emotional level. Jackie is both proud and honored to bring her unique set of skills to the nonprofit world, a sector she has been anxious to join for quite some time. Valuing empathy and authenticity above all else, Jackie loves working for an organization that upholds those same principles. Jackie is originally from NJ and holds a BA in Theatre Studies from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY.

 


Jennifer Baria
Education Manager
Tel (360) 352-3304, Extension 106

Jennifer Baria is an experienced professional with a strong background in non-profit management, member development and education, and stakeholder engagement. With a focus on community outreach, she enjoys driving growth through strategic communication, relationship building, and collaboration. Jennifer has held leadership roles in non-profit organizations, where she facilitated partnerships, developed initiatives to support organizational goals, and works closely with various stakeholders, including staff, vendors, and community members, to ensure the successful delivery of programs and services. With a customer-focused approach, she is committed to providing excellent service to both members and nonmembers, ensuring that educational services meet their needs and expectations.

 


Angela Ewing
Angela EwingOperations Manager
Tel (360) 352-3304, Extension 110

Angela is responsible for maintaining the quality of information in the WHCA database, updating records, and providing technology support. Her responsibilities cover implementing changes and updates consistently to provide fast and accurate query responses for both staff and WHCA members. With a master’s degree in information from Rutgers University, Angela focuses on the integrity, security, and efficiency of data management.

 


Diana Field
Accountant
Tel (360) 352-3304, Extension 111

Diana is responsible for the execution and maintaining the quality of the WHCA accounting and financial activities. Diana’s responsibilities include routine accounting activities, internal and external customer service, assisting the CEO, Carma Matti-Jackson, with budgeting and other duties.

Diana brings over 25 years of accounting experience to this position, she has worked in multiple industries, Financial Industry (Russell/Mellon), Garbage Industry (Allied Waste), and Healthcare Industry (Senior Services of America and DaVita Kidney Care).

Diana has a BA with a concentration in Accounting from Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) and holds an MBA in Business Administration.

 


Kathrina Goodwin
Apprenticeship Program Assistant
Tel (360) 352-3304, Extension 115

Kathrina Goodwin supports WHCA as a program assistant developing and implementing policies for the new LPN apprenticeship program. With her honors BA in international relations from the University of Western Ontario in Canada and her focus on public health policy, Kathrina is helping facilitate the interactions between key stakeholders to ensure a successful launch of the program. She is also responsible for daily maintenance which includes meeting management, data tracking, and program evaluation. Kathrina considers health equity critically important for the success of a public health system.

 


Kristen Hintz
Senior Marketing and Communications Manager
Tel (360) 352-3304, Extension 109

Kristen has more than twelve years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has worked for organizations across a wide range of service areas, including child welfare, homelessness, climate change, the performing arts, empowerment of women, education, and mental health. A storyteller at heart, Kristen specializes in creating strategic communications plans that elevate a nonprofit’s mission while connecting with stakeholders, supporters, and the public.  Kristen has a master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University – Shreveport.

 


Vicki McNealley, PhD, MN, RN
Vicki McNealley, PhD, MN, RNDirector of Assisted Living
Tel (360) 352-3304, Extension 107

Vicki McNealley is directly responsible for supporting WHCA member assisted living providers through regulatory clarification, nurse consultation, facility system evaluation, advocacy, and education. Vicki is responsible for developing and implementing WHCA programs to support providers in these areas. As staff liaison for the Assisted Living Quality and Regulatory Executive Advisory Committee, Vicki works with members to promote quality care and services at every level. Vicki spent ten years as the assisted living director for WHCA prior to serving as the Corporate Director of Regulatory Compliance for Village Concepts for over six years. She has extensive experience as a teacher, consultant and provider, and has been involved in assisted living operations and policy work since 1999. Vicki has served as a national award reviewer for the American Health Care Association and worked closely with the American Assisted Living Nurses Association to develop its certification exam. Vicki is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in community health nursing and a doctorate degree in nutrition.

 


Tara McTyer
Executive Assistant
Tel (360) 352-3304, Extension 102

Tara McTyer is the Executive Assistant to the CEO, Carma Matti-Jackson. In this capacity Tara manages the WHCA Board of Directors, the LTC Foundation, and in addition to supporting the CEO, is charged with internal administrative duties for WHCA. Tara brings over 15 years of administration experience to this position; her professional work has focused on high level project management and team coordination.

Though Tara is originally from Washington, she is a graduate of University of Nevada Las Vegas with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. She is an avid sports fan who spends her free time involved with youth athletics. She is committed to supporting exceptional athletes and enjoys creating fundraising opportunities for local athletic clubs. She takes pride in supporting her coworkers and is committed to working with the WHCA team to accomplish common goals.

 


Eric Negomir
Eric NegomirGovernment Relations Manager
Tel (360) 352-3304, Extension 108

Eric Negomir serves as Government Relations Manager for WHCA, and in this capacity works closely with our members to enact effective advocacy techniques in the Legislature. Beyond providing guidance for meetings with legislators, Eric helps long term care staff, residents and families tell powerful stories that result in meaningful policy improvements. Eric graduated from Western Washington University, where he earned a degree in Economics & Political Science and served as President of the WWU Waterski Team for two years. Prior to joining the WHCA team, he worked in Senator Derek Stanford’s office as a legislative intern and managed the Gordon Jenkins for Whatcom County District Court Judge campaign.

 


Dan Scheuler
Apprenticeship Senior Program Manager
Tel (360) 352-3304, Extension 114

Dan is directly responsible for supporting the Apprenticeship Program for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). This program will launch a pilot cohort in the fall of 2024 and provide new pathways for individuals interested in a career as an LPN to advance their education through support from an employer, WHCA, and Edmonds College. He holds a Master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership. His professional journey has included Program Management and Director positions at institutions such as the University of Washington Bothell, Olympic College, General Assembly, and Amazon. He has been at the forefront of designing and implementing innovative and impactful programs throughout his career. Outside of work, Dan enjoys all things athletics. He is an avid skier, former collegiate Track and Field athlete and now a volunteer coach and meet official.

 


Juanita Taurman
Juanita TaurmanManager of Events and Special Programs
Tel (360) 352-3304, Extension 103

Juanita is responsible for the execution of WHCA’s in-person events, including the Annual Convention and Fall Conference, the annual Board Retreat, and quarterly staff meetings. She ensures that our members have a fantastic experience at these events by coordinating with venues, caterers, vendors, and exhibitors, designing the event schedules, and setting up fun activities.

 

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