Staff

Erin O'Dell, Executive Director (she/her/hers)

Erin has led the Orcas Community Resource Center (formerly Orcas Family Connections) since 2007. She has worked as a Family Support Advocate, Program Administrator and now as the Executive Director. Erin also worked for San Juan County Health and Community Services for nearly 10 years as a Spanish Interpreter and Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.

Before working at OCRC, she worked for the Orcas Elementary School in the ELL department and as the K-12 Spanish teacher at Orcas Island Christian School. She interned in Nicaragua and Ecuador working with families and children in crisis.

Erin graduated from The Evergreen State College in Political Science and Spanish. She is also certified in Family Support Studies at Edmonds Community College. Erin oversees all operations at OCRC as our Executive Director.

Josh Culp, Health & Family Services Specialist (he/him/his)

At OCRC Josh helps clients with medical financial assistance programs, health insurance, therapy referrals, educational programs, food access and more. His educational path and experience certainly reflect his passion for social work. Josh has been in the social services field for five years as a case manager, youth mentor, and housing/job acquisition specialist. He expects to complete his master’s degree in social work this December from Louisiana State University.

Josh was born and raised on Orcas Island with a strong sense of community. Ever since being in high school, he remembers being fascinated by alternative lifestyles; urban camping, off-grid living, or any other version of outside the box thinking.

Josh shared, “Joining the team at OCRC, I have the opportunity to be a part of an incredible organization whose mission aligns perfectly with my desire to support those asking for guidance in acquiring the resources missing in their lives.” When working with clients he takes a strength-based perspective any chance he can; meeting the client halfway while focusing on their strengths to allow them to move toward greater self-sufficiency.

In his free time Josh enjoys working with the land on building projects, growing trees, and connecting to this special island. He shared, “I look forward to seeing where the Orcas community can go, nurtured by institutions in our community like OCRC!”

Keri Duenn, Development & Communications Specialist (she/her/hers)

Keri is a hardworking, dedicated professional with comprehensive experience in leadership and working under pressure. She co-owns Sequel Consignment in Eastsound, and is a fully engaged parent to 3 teenagers, 1 cat and 1 dog. Just for kicks, Keri enjoys sharpening her amateur photography skills and is an aspiring chef who secretly wants to be on the Great British Baking Show one day.

Keri joins OCRC as our Development & Communications Specialist helping to raise funds to provide services to our community and get the word out about OCRC. She is eager to contribute to helping her fellow islanders.

Kyra Dyer, Community Support & Health Services Specialist (she/her/hers)

Kyra grew up locally on Lopez Island. After living away in San Francisco, Portland and traveling to Central America, she returned home to the San Juan Islands. Kyra loves gardening and has been busy working in and tending gardens around the Island while raising her four year old daughter.

Trained as a Birth Doula, Kyra has been blessed to be at births over the years supporting women and families. Kyra enjoys hiking, being on the water, paddle boarding and adventures with her daughter.

At OCRC, she oversees healthcare related programs and services such as accessing medical financial assistance, applying for health insurance, Fresh Bucks and Farmer’s Market vouchers.

Megan Ehrmantraut, Development, Communication and Community Outreach Manager (she/her/hers)

Megan has long time family ties to the island and moved to Orcas the summer of 2018 with her partner, Larry. Coming onboard OCRC in May of 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, she worked in client services as our Community Service Assistant. Getting to know our programs and the community we serve helped her make a smooth transition to the role of Development, Communication and Community Outreach Manager in late 2021.

Megan has a passion for OCRC because its work supports our neighbors and community members who keep our island humming. She focuses her time at OCRC on getting the word out to the community about our services and raising the funds it takes to provide them. Megan is a mother of two daughters and a Goldendoodle, named Greyson. In her free time she enjoys kayaking, thrifting, walking, painting and traveling.

If you see Megan out and about, be sure to say hello. She’s always happy to chat about OCRC and the essential role the organization plays on Orcas Island.

Cheryl Helm, Community Support & Energy Programs Specialist (she/her/hers)

Cheryl moved to Orcas Island in 2006 to intern at the Bullock’s Permaculture Homestead and learn about sustainable living and farming. Orcas enjoyed many delicious dishes as Cheryl opened the Catkin Cafe in Olga in 2015 operating until 2021.

Her volunteer experience with the Orcas Island Food Bank and Island Rides led to a career change and becoming a part of the OCRC team. She enjoys helping others, being engaged with the community and making a positive impact.

At OCRC, Cheryl oversees the administration of all energy/utility assistance programs available to islanders such as LIHEAP and Project Pal.

Larry Hughes, LICSW, Case Manager (he/him/his)

Larry is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and moved to Orcas nine years ago after experiencing the natural beauty and peace the island offers. He was ready for a change from New York City, where he’d spent decades working with the homeless. Once settled here on Orcas, Larry had in mind that he would transition to working with island seniors. However, like many newcomers, he never expected to find the level of poverty, substance abuse, and homelessness present here just as in mainland cities.

Larry isn’t completely new to the Orcas Community Resource Center. He previously worked as a therapist through our Community Wellness Program, served a term on the OCRC Board, and led our Shelter Group working with unsheltered clients during the Covid outbreak and many months following.

Larry has also worked as a Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) and is a veteran, having served in the US Army. As our OCRC Case Manager, he looks to provide the kind of support and assistance he would have liked to have found in his younger and most vulnerable years.

Cindie McKenna, LICSW, Case Manager (she/her/hers)

Cindie McKenna and her husband are avid outdoor enthusiasts. The beautiful environment of Orcas lured them to take root full-time in 2014. Cindie is an accomplished ceramicist, and enjoys spending time in her home studio when her workload allows it. Cindie, who retired in 1999, served in the Air Force for 22 years as a jet engine mechanic, and later as a mediator for the State of Oregon through the Air National Guard.

The Orcas Community Resource Center is fortunate to have Cindie on our team as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) providing case management for clients. In addition, she works in the Emergency Room providing social services at St. John Medical Center. She’s seen her clients through incredible hardships, and considers mentorship an important part of her job as an LICSW. “It’s almost like being a mentor – someone to help them get exposure to different situations, how to get through it, and develop insight.”