Vaughnetta J. Barton
Executive Director, ext. 22

As Executive Director, Vaughnetta J. Barton is responsible for Foundation for Early Learning’s overall management including strategic opportunities, collaborations, fundraising, grant-making, communications, staff development, and budgeting. Prior to joining the Foundation, Vaughnetta worked as Philanthropy Northwest’s Advancement Director, where her responsibilities included increasing membership and revenue. Prior to Philanthropy Northwest, Vaughnetta held senior leadership positions in youth services, welfare-to-work, and banking.

Vaughnetta co-chairs Philanthropy Northwest’s Early Childhood Learning Affinity Group and serves on the board of Express Credit Union. Vaughnetta is also a member of Social Justice Fund Northwest and serves on the advisory council of ParentMap. Vaughnetta is a former American Marshall Fellow of the German Marshall Fund and an alumnus of Leadership Tomorrow. In support of others, Vaughnetta is also an affiliate instructor with the University of Washington’s School of Social Work.

Vaughnetta earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Washington with a concentration in administration, focusing on children, youth, and families. Vaughnetta graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Jenna Barrett
Office Manager, ext. 26

Jenna Barrett joined Foundation for Early Learning as Office Manager in mid-May of 2007. Jenna brings her organizational, technical and composition skills to contribute to the Foundation staff, along with a strong sense of social justice and community involvement. 

Jenna is inspired and motivated by the objectives, work, and successes of Foundation for Early Learning. She continually cultivates her own commitment to education and is extremely excited to contribute to our community in this way. Jenna is a volunteer and junior performer in the growing Seattle circus arts community, and is very happy to work at a place where she can ride her bike to the office.

Doug Coleman
Finance Manager, ext. 24

Doug Coleman serves as Finance Manager with the Foundation for Early Learning.  His role is to oversee the day to day financial operation and ensure the accounting records are maintained in accordance with all generally accepted accounting procedures.  The Foundation’s investment program is also a part of his responsibilities with the goal of ensuring the long term financial stability of the organization.  This is to be achieved through prudent investment strategies.  He is also committed to enhancing the accounting system to accommodate growth over the next several years.

Doug has spent 38 years in various accounting and financial management positions, both in the private and the nonprofit sectors.  He began his career in public accounting as senior audit manager for two local accounting firms.  The focus of his past 26 years has been in the nonprofit world as Chief Financial Officer and Controller with several social service and affordable housing organizations.

Doug graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting with 2 years as an engineering student before changing to the Business School.  In his spare time, Doug enjoys entertaining his 6 year old grandson and driving his Corvette on weekends.  He also is currently serving as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the State’s largest nonprofit organization providing residential and social services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Erin Okuno
Program Officer, ext. 23

Erin Okuno comes to Foundation for Early Learning with a zeal for early education. As a child she enjoyed tricycle racing, water gun fights, and trips to the library. Erin now serves as the Program Officer. 

Erin manages the Early Learning Public Library Partnership, oversees the sponsorship and Community Action Project grantmaking programs, outreach and distribution of Getting School Ready and Ten Simple Ways publications, and supports the Foundation's advocacy efforts.

Prior to joining the Foundation Erin worked with volunteers, child abuse and neglect treatment and prevention programs, the K-12 education system, and other community programs. Erin also serves as a volunteer board member for Neighborhood House, advisory board member for University of Washington's Early Childhood Leadership certificate, and as a Brainerd Fellow with Social Venture Partners. She has also served as a peer reviewer for a US Department of Education Promise Neighborhood grant program and as a board member for the Downtown Seattle YMCA.

Erin holds both a bachelor and masters degree in Public Administration from Seattle University.

Arigin Sakda
Program Assistant, ext. 31

Arigin honors her role at Foundation for Early Learning as the Program Assistant. She is currently working part-time as a Professional Senior Teller for Bank of America and is a student attending Seattle Central Community College. Prior to Foundation for Early Learning, Arigin was an Intern for Alliance for Education where she discovered her interest in non-profit organizations. Arigin is once again excited to be part of an influential non-profit and looks forward to supporting the Foundation's staff.