Ryan Carpenter - He/Him
Executive Director
ryan@thefunhouse.org

  • Ryan grew up on Orcas Island and has a deep appreciation for the social bonds that make the island a unique and special place. He received a Masters Degree in Narrative Therapy and Community Work from the University of Melbourne in 2017. His training as a therapist and community worker, as well as years of non-profit administration and business ownership brings extensive experience to The Funhouse. Ryan has served as a board member with the Orcas Island Community Resource Center, and shares their value of community collaboration. Ryan is joined in his passion for island youth and families by his wife Kelly who is a Public School Teacher at Orcas Island Elementary School. Together, their joy in life is raising their two teenage kids.

Mary Wachter - She/Her
Music Program Coordinator
mary@thefunhouse.org

  • Mary Wachter is "Miss Mary", local teacher and island musician. Mary has been teaching early childhood music classes at The Funhouse since 2009, and has run Miss Mary's Island Music for over 15 years. She continues with 0-5 music classes today, as well as Group Violin, Ukulele, Girls' Electric Guitar, and Kid's Chorus. Mary is now the Funhouse Music Program Facilitator, and is loving bringing more music to the Funhouse. Mary has also recorded more than one album!

Amanda Zimlich - she/chef
Community Engagement & Development Director
amanda@thefunhouse.org

  • Amanda Zimlich comes to the Funhouse Commons with a lifelong commitment to feeding, welcoming, and connecting people. After years as a professional chef—from Seattle’s fine dining scene to global product development roles with Campbell Soup Company and other recognizable food brands—Amanda joined her family on Orcas Island in 2019 and built Otters Pond Bed & Breakfast into a beloved local retreat. Across every chapter of her career, she has led creative, service-driven teams, and cultivated environments where people feel seen and supported. As Development Director, Amanda brings this same spirit of hospitality and creativity to strengthening community relationships, expanding philanthropic partnerships, and advancing the mission of Funhouse Commons.

Alli Cobb - She/Her
Assistant Director of
Out-of-School Operations
sarah@thefunhouse.org

  • Alli first came to Orcas as a kayak guide at Orkila and has been drawn back to the island ever since!  Alli has had a varied and diverse career in youth work and environmental education all over the west, working with kids from infant to teenage years.  She moved back to Orcas in 2021, and has worked at Four Winds Summer Camp and the Montessori School.  Alli loves the beautiful community and environment here, and when not supporting the After School Program and planning community events you will find her on the sea, in the garden and spending time with dear friends. 

Sarah Davis - She/Her
Office Manager
sarahdavis@thefunhouse.org

  • Sarah grew up on Orcas Island and began coming to the Funhouse as a teenager in 2002 and loves that she now gets to share the Funhouse with her own children. Sarah brings extensive experience in customer service and administration to the Funhouse and is passionate about social/emotional learning, reproductive health & wellness, and supporting expecting families through birth & postpartum. She is so excited to be a part of the Funhouse team and to contribute to such an integral part of the Orcas community!

Sarah McKay - She/Her
Birth to 5th Grade
Program Director
sarah@thefunhouse.org

  • Sarah moved to Orcas Island in 2014 and immediately started working at the Funhouse as an Afterschool staff member. Like a true Islander, she juggled multiple jobs before returning to work at the Funhouse full time in 2022 as a Program Director. Sarah loves spending time with kids and is passionate about creating thriving spaces and programs where kids can feel respected, supported, and inspired to explore their world. When she's not busy making Funhouse magic, you'll catch Sarah digging in her garden or sharing giggles with her family.

Maddie Olson - They/Them
Youth Development
Program Director
maddie@thefunhouse.org

  • Maddie Olson has been involved in almost every aspect of youth work on Orcas Island over the last eight years. They came to Orcas to work as a kayak guide at Camp Orkila, and quickly fell in love with the close-knit community. They worked at the Montessori Preschool as the assistant teacher for three years before transitioning to the Public School where they served as the assistant Librarian. In their role as Youth Development Director, Maddie has been building out programs to support middle and high schoolers on the island. When they aren't surrounded by kids, you'll find them in the woods, on the beach or performing on stage.

Alison Sanders - She/Her
COY Coordinator
alison@thefunhouse.org

  • Alison is the Coalition for Orcas Youth (COY) Coordinator. She has a strong background in advocacy and has worked in nonprofit organizations up and down the west coast. She believes that the best way to solve a problem is to prevent it before it starts. That’s why she is passionate about cultivating connections to mobilize our community for positive change. She grew up on Orcas and is thrilled to be back in her community with her husband and three spectacular children.

Griselda Cruz
Spanish-Speaking Community
Liaison
griselda@thefunhouse.org

Marisela Medina-Flores
Custodian

  • Marisela moved to Orcas Island from Tijuana, Mexico in 2002 and has been working at The Funhouse since 2019. She comes from a very strong and supportive family and delights in raising her three teenage her children. Marisela says, “Mi familia es lo mas importante de mi vida y estoy muy bendecido.”

Travis Neal - He/Him
Board Treasurer

  • Travis grew up in the Seattle area and moved to Orcas Island in 2015. As the father of two children who have benefited from Funhouse programs, he has a personal appreciation for their impact on local youth.

    His passion for youth development was sparked by his first “real” high-school job as a program coordinator at the Boys & Girls Club of America, and has continued locally through service as a board member of The Children’s House and the Early Childhood Education Initiative (ECEI).

    A CPA with a strong background in finance and organizational governance, Travis brings both professional expertise and a deep commitment to supporting the growth and success of young people. As Treasurer, he is excited to continue the stewardship of resources that ensure long-term sustainability and keep financial practices aligned with the Funhouse’s mission.

Maia Vechey -She/Her
Board Member

  • My love for kids has led most of my decisions in life including getting my degree as a Montessori teacher and working as a CASA advocate, supporting children who have been removed from their homes, volunteering as a tutor at elementary schools, and finally having my own children. 

    Since moving to the island full time, I spend my time volunteering at the elementary school in my kids classes and volunteering at the Funhouse doing everything from meetings to subbing in the afterschool and sometimes even getting asked to help walk the kids from school to the Funhouse.

Tania Lissistskaia - She/Her
Board Secretary

  • Tania grew up in Soviet Russia and credits her teachers and the availability of inexpensive, high quality after-school programs there for helping form both her worldview and the success in her career. Tania holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering and an MBA. Tania spent 25 years working for technology companies in Silicon Valley; the last 10 of which were running company-wide programs at both Intel and Google. She moved to Orcas Island in 2018 and is now developing her own apparel brand, consulting for entrepreneurs nationwide, and advising local entrepreneurs. Tania is looking forward to contributing to the Funhouse mission in shaping the lives of young people on Orcas Island after having experienced first-hand the positive impact of children's programs throughout her upbringing.

Lisa Walters - She/Her
Board Member

  • After growing up in a farm town in Montana, Lisa moved to Seattle in 1998 before settling on Orcas Island in 2019 with her husband and daughter. Always an avid cook and baker, Lisa took up French pastry as a hobby and eventually left a more than 20-year career as a graphic artist to pursue her passion for baking. Her design background and attention to detail proved perfectly suited for handcrafting pastries that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Lisa converted her hobby into a profession and started Sweet Craft Bakeshop in 2021. That same year, her daughter began attending the Funhouse summer camp. She was able to maintain close friendships with her classmates and also met new friends along the way. The Funhouse became an important asset for Lisa to continue a well balanced work/life schedule. In the summer of 2023, Lisa joined the Funhouse board of directors.

Marcela Barrientos -She/Her
Board President

  • Marcela and her husband Ed Andrews moved to Orcas in 2013, after living in Seattle for 13 years. Together, they co-owned Somelab, a graphic design business they started in 2001. Over the years, they did several projects for local folks including Maple Rock Farm, Roses Bakery and Cafe, Rock Island, OPALCO and The Funhouse before shutting the business down in 2022. Marcela became a real estate agent with Orcas Island Realty in 2016, and since then her business has flourished. She enjoys helping people find their dream spot on the islands — or selling their spot to a lucky buyer.  After donating her design services to The Funhouse for several years, becoming a board member and a Funhouse mentor to an island teen was a natural step. She is proud to live in a community that is so focused on taking care of the young people that grow up here.

Scott Raun - He/Him
Board Vice President

  • Scott retired to Orcas Island in 2013 after many years of working for the State of Colorado. He worked with local communities, non-profit organizations, and government agencies for much of his professional career to develop a high quality, early learning system for Colorado children.  With his background in public policy and strategic planning, he’s excited to be a part of the Funhouse team and contribute to its continued growth as a leading supporter of, and advocate for, Orcas Island children and families.

Carla Shanks Morales - She/Her
Board Member

  • Carla moved from Bolivia to the island with her family in 2020 and is the social-emotional teacher at the public elementary school.

    Becoming a mother helped her decide the educational path she wanted to follow. Having completed her degree in Social Pedagogy helped her understand the importance of all socio-emotional factors that affect the growth of children and adolescents. Carla has two teenage children who are her greatest pride and dedication.

    Carla also works hand in hand with the Spanish-speaking community, trying to help with whatever they need both at school and in the community.