Funhouse Staff
Emilie Gincig
Liz Doane
Nicole Spinogatti
Emilie grew up on Orcas Island and loves The Funhouse. She has extensive nonprofit experience, having worked at Orcas Island Children’s House, Kaleidoscope Preschool, Orcas Island Park and Recreation District, and Orcas Center before joining The Funhouse team in January 2013. She has served as Afterschool Program Staff, Mentor Program Coordinator, Afterschool Program Director, and as Program Director. Emilie has a deep understanding of the history and mission of The Funhouse and the community. She is a natural leader, imbued with a passion for positive youth development and social/emotional learning.
she/her/hers
Emilie@thefunhouse.org
Ahoy, friends! Liz here, and I just sailed in on the good ship JUPITER and can’t wait for all the exciting adventures we are going to have! My adventurous career has taken me from Minnesota to all over the world working in traditional and outdoor environmental education, and I am excited to utilize the skills I learned along the way (and my love for dinosaurs) right here at The Funhouse! I have lived on Orcas Island since the Spring of 2016 and have truly grown to love the community we have here. In all my travels, I’ve never seen one quite like it. I invite you all to come aboard as I embark on my most exciting journey yet; providing a safe and stimulating environment where all can learn, discover, and create!
she/her/hers
Liz@thefunhouse.org
Nicole moved to Orcas in 2018 with her husband, Jon and children, Jack & Katie. She stumbled upon The Funhouse while exploring places to help her children acclimate to their new surroundings. She fell in love with The Funhouse and the rest is history! Before arriving to Orcas, Nicole enjoyed a long career of non-profit service and is looking forward to helping The Funhouse thrive.
she/her/hers
Nicole@thefunhouse.org
Audrey Neddermann
Trillium Swanson
Jesse Fabrikant
Before coming to Orcas in 2010, Audrey worked as a theater teaching artist. She is excited to get back to the work of supporting youth programming with the fabulous staff here! When she’s not at The Funhouse, she’s out tending plants in the gardens of Orcas, or drawing them!
she/her/hers
Audrey@thefunhouse.org
Trillium moved to Orcas from Bellingham in 2015, and has been involved with The Funhouse ever since. Trillium is all about supporting youth to reach their potential, and is passionate about building sustainable systems and programming to that end. When she’s not at The Funhouse, you’ll likely find her running around outside.
she/her/hers
Trillium@thefunhouse.org
Jesse moved to Orcas Island in 2019 with his fabulous partner Meghan and his wonder-pup Luna. He’s worked teaching young adults chainsaw skills, researching social inequalities and democratic institutions, and served on the board of an incredible cooperative low income housing association in Davis, CA. Jesse is inspired by the human and non-human communities of the Salish region and by imagining the possible futures we can achieve together. jesse@thefunhouse.org
Sarah Nichols
Sarah came to Orcas to raise her son in a community-centered, nurturing environment surrounded by nature and the sea. She joined Alison as the Co-Coordinator for the Coalition for Orcas Youth in November of 2020. Previously an elementary school teacher she is excited to work with The Funhouse and COY to support families and youth. Sarah believes that supporting, educating, and investing in youth and their families is vital for a thriving community. sarahnichols@thefunhouse.org
Alison Sanders
Alison Sanders is the Coalition for Orcas Youth (COY) Co-Coordinator. Alison 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.
she/her/hers
alison@orcasprevention.com