The FCS Board of Directors collaborate voluntarily to support and grow Ferndale Community Services. By sharing ideas, providing leadership, and creating systems of accountability, they strive to ensure the viability of the organization and lend a helping hand when needed.
Current Board Members
Amy Hatvany- Board President
Amy Hatvany grew up in Seattle, but fell in love with Whatcom County after attending WWU. She is the author of nine novels, a proud wife, mother and Nana, and feels passionately about being of service to her community. When she’s not reading or wrangling her three dogs, she can be found in the kitchen whipping up something delicious for her friends and family.
Leela Nelson- Holcroft- Board Vice President
Nothing makes Leela happier than connecting with others. As a young girl she and her parents helped to feed the unhoused and low-income folks in her community. She started an anti-racism group in her high school. She is a local Massage Therapist and Realtor, who has a particular interest in sustainability. On her days off she enjoys time with her friends and family, working in her garden, or catching a live music show at one of the local venues. Leela currently serves as Board President.
Sherri Linton- Board Secretary
Sherri is a lifelong PNW resident. She recently moved to Ferndale and loves the opportunity to give back to her community. Volunteerism is a tenet Sherri has embraced since her teen years growing up in Edmonds Washington. Sherri’s professional life has 2 parts: First as a Certified Recreation Therapist, working in the Mental Health arena and Inpatient Rehabilitation. Sherri went back to WSU to earn her Masters in Teaching and worked for many years as a Middle School Science Teacher in Vancouver Washington. She enjoys all things outdoors, rain or shine and is the mom to two wonderful young women and just recently welcomed her first grandchild.
Ben Twigg- Board Treasurer
Ben has over a decade of local nonprofit leadership – as an employee, consultant, board member, and volunteer. Having received help/support when he needed it most in his life, Ben has a strong desire to “give back” where he can – and he believes digging in locally is now more important than ever. In his spare time, Ben enjoys outdoor recreation (especially biking), family activities, and playing on Lummi Island (where he and his family lived before moving to Ferndale in 2023). Ben joined the FCS board in late 2024 and serves as its treasurer.
Melinda Herrera
Melinda’s roots trace back to Texas, but she’s been flourishing in Whatcom County since 2008. With a professional background in eldercare, she’s spent years enhancing the lives of seniors, whether in the comfort of their own homes or within vibrant community settings. Nowadays, she channels her passion for service into her role as the Executive Director of a local nonprofit, committed to fostering community well-being and inspiring others to reach their full potential. Outside the office, Melinda’s often found cultivating her garden, enjoying some quality time on the water with her partner, tuning into her favorite podcasts, or playing with her adorable puppy, Lulu.
Kara Silsbee- Board President
Kara has lived in Ferndale for most of her life, and has worked in human resources for 18+ years. The Ferndale community has taken care of her and her family over the years, and she is excited to give back. In her spare time she, her partner Dave and her son Lloyd love to search the beach for agates and walk or hike the many trails of Whatcom County.
Heather Hinds
Heather Hinds takes care of things. Professionally, she worked with children as a para-educator before moving to Washington and has worked with horses ever since. She has been the project coordinator for the Holiday Giving Store for many years, and involved with the program for even longer. She loves the Ferndale community and enjoys the opportunity to serve it. She joined the FCS board in 2017. Heather currently serves as Board Secretary and Treasurer.
Harneet Kaur Matharu
Harneet Kaur is proud to serve as a Board Member with Ferndale Community Services. With roots in both India and Canada, she values diverse perspectives and the importance of inclusive, supportive communities. Harneet holds a degree in Engineering and an MBA, along with over 12 years of experience across diverse industries including healthcare services. She is especially passionate about supporting families and improving access to essential resources for those in need. In her free time, Harneet enjoys hiking and exploring new places, embracing opportunities to connect with nature and her surroundings.
FCS Staff Team
Sara O'Connor
Executive Director
Sara grew up in Ferndale, and is honored to serve her hometown community. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from Portland State university, and has worked as a teacher, case manager, and non-profit leader for the last 20 years. She loves time with her dogs, family, and garden.
Lorelei Bowers
Outreach Program Manager
Lorelei, after travelling all over the United States and Canada for many years of her life, settled in Whatcom County with her family. She combined her lived experience of homelessness and her passion for community work to create Bridge 2 Services, a program dedicated to people helping people. Lorelei believes that everyone deserves to have their voice heard, and she works to create a stronger community that embraces and supports those who are struggling. She enjoys tending to her garden and being with her grandchildren.
Shelli Wood
Resource Center Program Manager
Shelli, a lifelong Washingtonian, grew up in Bellingham and has proudly called Nooksack home for the past 25 years. With 18 years of dedicated service in family advocacy and case management—including five as a program director—Shelli brings deep expertise and heartfelt commitment to every role she takes on. Her passion lies in fostering genuine human connection, believing it to be essential for people not just to survive, but to truly thrive.
Elisa Becerra
Thriving Families Resource Navigator
Elisa grew up in Lynden and has been a lifelong resident of Whatcom County. She is bilingual in Spanish and has worked in human service settings for the past 15 years. Elisa also spent 9 years as a foster parent. She enjoys working with the community in her role with FCS.
Hannah Mo
Mobile Resource Navigator
With lived experience of addiction and homelessness, Hannah Mo combines personal insight with professional training in social and human services to support others on their paths to recovery. With a background in substance use counseling, she approaches her work with empathy and a deep understanding of the systems she once navigated herself. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor adventures with her kids, husband, and dogs, often exploring nature.
Bradley Watson
Mobile Resource Navigator
Bradley is a lifelong resident of Whatcom County, where she’s built both personal and professional roots. She is a proud spouse and parent in a blended family. Her experiences with substance abuse and mental health have deeply shaped her passion for supporting others and giving back in meaningful ways. As a Mobile Resource Navigator for Youth and Families, Bradley draws on her own life experiences to help individuals build strong support systems and connect with local resources that empower them to reach their goals.
KeiaLani Minch
Admin Program Assistant
KeiaLani grew up in Hawaii, moved to Washington as a teen and attended Ferndale High School. Kei is a creative and vibrant individual with a passion for helping the community. Known for her playful spirit and warm personality, she effortlessly connects with others. Her proudest moment besides being a mother is being a grandmother.
Jeremy Bowers
Outreach Lead
Jeremy hitchhiked all over the US in his early days. After settling in Whatcom County, he brings his lived experience with homelessness and addiction to his work, focusing on recovery in his outreach. Jeremy is a student of mindfulness and brings this practice into his work. He enjoys digging into the truths of life.
Ryan Booterbaugh
Operations/Severe Weather Shelter Coordinator
Ryan has been a Ferndale resident for 5 years and started his work with FCS as the Shelter Coordinator. He enjoys live music, travel, and watching scary movies alone in the dark.
Aubrey Linton
Resource Specialist-Navigator
Aubrey grew up in Sedro-Woolley and has proudly called Whatcom County home for the past six and a half years. In her role as a Resource Specialist-Navigator, she is passionate about helping individuals and families access the resources they need to thrive. Aubrey loves building connections in the community and finds joy in supporting others. Outside of work, she enjoys riding horses, painting, and spending time with her family.
Kate Bishop
Program Development Manager
Kate has been part of FCS for many years, serving first as a board member, as our first Community Resource Navigator, and now in her current role. She is also in law school and enjoys time with her family.
JOIN OUR BOARD: We welcome anyone who cares about our community and wants to make a difference to enhance our mission. We are particularly interested in recruiting board members with experience in marketing and communications, fundraising, or non-profit governance. If this interests you, please reach out to our Executive Director Sara: sara@ferndalecs.org and click the link to read the position description.