Meet the Team

Our staff is dynamic, intelligent, creative, kind, caring, compassionate,

and committed to making a difference in the lives of our members.

Interim Executive Director

Deb Payne

Deb is one of the original co-founders of Vitalize Kitsap and has lived on Bainbridge Island since she was a first grader. She loves the Pacific Northwest and has raised her two grown children here. Deb has her B.S. in Food Science. While in college she studied American Sign Language for two years, as well as worked with her friend, who is blind to adapt Algebra class problems into a braille system. After college, Deb had an active 20-year career in Seattle’s food industry and has many memories of the time spent at Etta’s. Restaurants gave her the flexibility to serve as a first responder with the Bainbridge Island Fire Department and work part-time for the BI School District in the health room. In 2001, Deb volunteered in the special education (SPED) classroom at Woodward Middle School where she met an amazing group of young women with whom she started Girls' Club to provide a safe and fun environment to socialize. By 2009, Girls' Club had grown in size and focus. Deb collaborated with her friend and SPED teacher, Holly Patton, to create Island Time Activities, now Vitalize Kitsap, and obtain its nonprofit status. Since its inception, Vitalize Kitsap (VK), has grown to serve members, their families, and our communities around North Kitsap. Deb is proud of the work VK does to empower people with intellectual disabilities to lead lives of meaning and self-determination.

Director of Advancement

Cassandra Marie

Cassandra has lived in the PNW since 2016 and lived on Bainbridge for 5 years. She brings years of experience from her time working at corporations like Starbucks, 24 Hour Fitness, and Noom. Led by a passion for DEI and human rights Cassandra returned to school to study Diversity and Social Justice at Seattle Central Community College. Following that, she studied Integrated Studies and Political Science at Washington University in St. Louis and is now in school for a Master's of Public Administration. Cassandra loves to read, collect books, and go to bookstores. She also enjoys stand-up paddle boarding, traveling, hiking, hot yoga, and spending time with her family and their husky.

Laurent photo by Sam McJunkin © Vitalize Kitsap 2021.jpg.webp

Community Engagement Coordinator & Program Lead

Laurent Kox

Laurent was born and raised in Brussels, Belgium. He and his husband lived in several cities in Germany and moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2017. Soon after arriving in the PNW, he began working with people of varied abilities. Laurent has experience in Community Inclusion and Job Development programs. He’s excited to bring cultural diversity to VK programs by teaching his native tongue, French, to the members. He now lives in lovely Poulsbo where he enjoys gardening, hiking, and traveling.

Skilled Nursing Coordinator

& Program Lead

Georgia Herren

Georgia has a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Seattle University and completed her nurse residency at University of Washington Medical Center, followed by some travel nursing in California as part of the Covid-19 crisis response. She brings her nursing skills, innate empathy, and curiosity to her work at VK, where she serves as our Program Nurse and Skilled Nursing Coordinator as well as working directly with VK members as Program Staff.

Program Admin

Leigh Platt Davison

Leigh was born in North Carolina and raised all over the world due to her father’s occupation as an undercover CIA agent. Her family spent five years in Austria during the Cold War, three years in Laos (Thailand) while the Vietnam conflict raged on, and three years in France while the Cold War slowly ended. The family led a nomadic lifestyle but one filled with excitement, ups and downs, drama, and comedy. Leigh is a published author of several works including her most popular book, “Sticky Situations: Stories of Childhood Adventures Abroad.” Leigh is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and has had experience working in both the private sector and the Federal government. She lives in Lewes, DE with her husband, Harry, their two cats, and her horse. When she is not working remotely for Vitalize Kitsap, she is out volunteering in the community or riding her horse. Leigh’s favorite thing to do when she is relaxing is to eat pizza and popcorn and watch lots of really scary movies.

Program Lead

Michelle Thompson

More information coming soon!

Seasonal Program Lead

Maya Lifgens

Maya discovered Vitalize Kitsap in her sophomore year at Bainbridge High School and has been hooked ever since. She uses her energy and adaptability to empower individual members and her guitar to bring the group together. When she's not at VK, you'll likely find her working on college applications or planning her next bike adventure!

Program Lead

Stellavita (Stella) Larsen

Stella recently made a significant move from Colorado to Seattle to be closer to family, driven by her desire to strengthen connections and provide support. This transition marks an exciting new chapter in her life, blending her rich past experiences with the vibrant opportunities of a new city. The move not only brings her closer to loved ones but also presents new avenues for professional and personal growth in Seattle’s bustling, diverse environment. With a deep passion for healthcare, Stella’s journey began with four years of dedicated service as an EMT, where she developed a profound love for helping people from all walks of life. Her commitment to compassionate care and enthusiasm for working with diverse populations shines through in every interaction, making a lasting impact on the community. This passion continues to fuel her aspirations as she embarks on new professional endeavors in Seattle.

Life Skills Services Coordinator & Program Lead

Carrie Strachan

Carrie, born and raised in Boston, has called the Northwest home since 2004. As a mother of four adult children, she has been involved with Vitalize Kitsap since 2016 through her adult son with developmental disabilities. With twenty-eight years of experience navigating services for people with developmental disabilities, Carrie opened, coordinated, and managed a shared living home for three years. She holds a business degree from Pepperdine University and transitioned into health and wellness in 2006, becoming a passionate advocate for movement for all. As a yoga instructor and teacher trainer, she has taught in many gyms and studios in Kitsap County and now enjoys teaching Silver Sneakers, a movement for older adults of varying abilities and fitness levels. Recently, Carrie completed her CTA life coaching certification and is excited about offering 1:1 coaching and mentoring for Vitalize Kitsap members and the community. She believes in helping everyone achieve their life goals with the right support. , but more importantly, she has the passion and commitment for making a difference in the lives of people of all abilities. On the weekends, Carrie enjoys kayaking, hiking, live music, walking her dogs, and reading.

Program Lead

Neiha Arora

Neiha was born in New Delhi, lived in Bangladesh, and grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, traveling across Africa. She attended the Savannah College of Art and Design in the U.S.,to pursue her passion for design and fell into talent acquisition. She has built teams across big tech and agencies championing diversity and inclusion with a human-centered approach. Neiha is passionate about coaching, and has led workshops on branding and professional development with non-profits. She thrives in diverse communities and believes in empowering others, and is excited to foster human connections at Vitalize Kitsap. Neiha is a coffee master who loves world music, travelling, art, cooking, and listening to people's stories.

Program Lead

Rebecca Rockefeller

Rebecca grew up on Bainbridge Island and returned to raise her own daughters here. She's the co-founder of the Buy Nothing Project, co-author of The Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan (Simon & Schuster/Atria, 2020), and co-founder of the Buy Nothing App. She's delighted to be back on the Vitalize Kitsap team, where she served some years back as both Development Lead and then Executive Director. She's passionate about nourishing a more inclusive and equitable culture both locally and globally, and is proud to be the mother of two young women who are in high school and college.

Seasonal Program Lead

Millie Loughnane

Millie grew up on Bainbridge Island and graduated from Bainbridge High School. She attended college with an Early Childhood Education background. She worked for Bainbridge School District for 10 years as the Native American program coordinator. She has also taught preschool for 11 years at St. Barnabas Day School. Millie has worked for VK since 2014. In addition, she holds a position for the North Kitsap School District as the Native American Liaison. Millie is married to Pat and has one grown son named Trent. She is also a grandma to Leo.

Seasonal Program Lead

Becky Schelink

More information coming soon!

Program Support

Maria Knighton

Maria has worked at VK for 6 years assisting in physical training and promoting independence in activities of daily living. Maria has trained in Pennsylvania doing a 6 week practicum for a Waldorf School for children with intellectual disabilities, she has won medals in the special Olympics for track and field and bowling and has also completed 100 hours of volunteering with Marion Forsman Boushe early learning center. With all these experiences and training she has been able to translate her knowledge to the members and programs here at Vitalize Kitsap. Outside of Vitalize Kitsap Maria Knits sweaters and hats for her family members, and loves to cook.