Staff

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 the Resource Center, 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 the Resource Center as our Executive Director.

An Orcas resident for nearly 20 years, Keri is a passionate and hardworking professional with extensive leadership experience and a knack for thriving under pressure. Co-owner of Sequel Consignment in Eastsound and long-time board member of the Orcas Island Booster Club, she seamlessly blends her entrepreneurial spirit with a commitment to community engagement.

Valuing family deeply, Keri’s got a full plate—three grown-up kids figuring out life, a cat who rules the roost, a dog who just wants belly rubs, and more plants than she’ll admit. She’s all about keeping the chaos in check while making space for everything she loves.

Keri joined the Resource Center as our Development & Communications Specialist, where she leverages her expertise to raise funds and promote the essential services we provide to our community. Significantly invested in making a positive impact on the lives of her fellow islanders, Keri is eager to collaborate with others who share her vision for a thriving island life.

Driven by a mission to foster connection, Keri brings creativity and dedication to her role at the Resource Center, inspiring those around her to engage and contribute to the community’s growth.

Paula grew up on a small farm in western Minnesota, and landed in the PNW in 2004 by way of Monterey, CA. After visiting Orcas Island for 20 years, she made one of her dreams come true and moved here full time in April 2023.

Paula majored in Education at the University of Minnesota, and has spent most of her career engaging with and advocating for clients with integrity and patience.

She has one son who lives in Seattle, and a lab/pit mix dog named Poncho. Paula enjoys traveling, thrifting, and doing DIY projects around her house. 

Paula joined the Resource Center in January 2024 as a Community Support Specialist, and is dedicated to providing support to our island community. Stop in and introduce yourself next time you’re in Eastsound.

Nick Johns was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. Nick studied economics, finance, and philosophy, and then went to work in marketing and sales for tech startups in Portland and Seattle. When his wife was offered the opportunity to be Lead Guide at Orcas Montessori School, they left Seattle for Orcas. Nick loves kayaking in the fresh ocean air and taking long hikes with his dog.

After relocating to Orcas he discovered the incredible volunteering opportunities at the Resource Center. Nick absolutely loves teaching and mentoring the community through his years of volunteering with Orcas Money Smart. He was drawn to build on this work at the Resource Center, joining in 2025 to develop financial education programs and provide financial counseling services.

Nick offers one-on-one financial counseling to the Orcas community, partnering with clients in confidence to accomplish their goals and achieve money success. He works with folks to structure plans for their savings, budgets, housing decisions, paying down debts, and a whole lot more! Nick coordinates our Orcas Money Smart and Financial Literacy programs. Everyone in our community can benefit from the safe space he provides to sharpen their money skills.

A true island girl, Alison grew up between Orcas Island and Hawai’i. After spending several years away from Orcas, Alison came back to the island to connect with her roots.

Alison studied History and Political Science at Western Washington University and received a teaching certificate for middle and high school history and social studies. Upon completion, Alison went on to teach in Costa Rica, Vietnam, and Seattle.

Alison has worked in social services professionally for several years, but has always had a drive for connecting with others and community engagement. In her free time, you might catch Alison cooking, playing soccer, snuggling with her dogs, and occasionally singing karaoke.  

Holly grew up in Westfield, NJ taking the train to New York City most weekends. She studied sociology and graphic design in college and eventually made her way to Seattle.

With Seattle changing so much over the years, she and her husband, Raymond, sought out a slower-paced life and found exactly that by moving to Orcas Island.

Holly was looking for meaningful work that would make an impact in the community and jumped on board at the Resource Center in 2020. Her current role is as our Programs Director, where she oversees our programs and direct service staff.

When she’s not working, she focuses her energy on family and time with her adorable dog, Sweedie. Holly enjoys kayaking and traveling to warm destinations in the winter.

The best piece of advice she’s ever received is to volunteer your time helping others when you are feeling down. It will get you out of your own head and give you some much-needed perspective!