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Staff and Board of Directors

Allison Fine, MSW, LICSW

Executive Director & Founder

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Allison's lifelong passion to support those living with chronic illness prompted her to start an organization focused on this cause, following more than a decade of social work and counseling.

 

In her private counseling practice, speaking engagements, and educational writing, Allison focuses her work on a variety of chronic illness populations. 

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Allison has a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Kansas, and she has been a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Washington State since 2012.

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Jake Johnston

Board President

Jake is the co-founder of ConnecT1D, a nonprofit organization serving the emotional and social support needs of people impacted by Type 1 Diabetes. Jake served as the volunteer Executive Director and helped grow ConnecT1D from a volunteer run organization to a professionally managed and financially sustainable nonprofit. Jake is active in community organizations with an emphasis on social justice, health access and gender equity. Jake is the President of the Johnston Group, a public affairs consulting firm serving public hospitals and local governments.

 

​Jake has been inspired by CCI’s mission and is eager to bring his background in nonprofit growth and advocacy to CCI. His background with families impacted by chronic illness – as well as his personal experience living with chronic illness – gives him a deep appreciation for the work done by CCI and the firsthand experience in the role that community support plays in the emotional health of living with chronic illness.

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Joined January 2021

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Emily Woitas

Board Vice President & Treasurer

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Emily works as a data analyst on the economics & analytics team at Comparion Insurance Agency, a community-based property & casualty insurance company. She received her BSBA in Data Analytics from Drake University in Des Moines, IA and now lives in the heart of Seattle with her cat, Cosmo. 

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Emily brings personal experience from her own chronic illness journey, as well as perspective from her history in various childcare roles. With her passion for community and universal accessibility in mind, Emily is motivated by CCI’s mission and is honored to be serving this essential organization. 

 

Joined January 2023

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Aditi Agarwal, MHA, RPh

Board Secretary

Aditi has been inspired by CCI’s mission as it aligns well with her own mission and passion to help patients. 

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A pharmacist by profession, she brings holistic and diverse experience of working in the healthcare industry such as her work with hospice patients, in retail and hospital pharmacy, in detox and recovery center, and as an Anticoagulation management clinic pharmacist. 

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She attained her Masters in Healthcare Administration from the University of Washington
to further her focus on the quality of care, clinical outcomes, and overall process improvements. Aditi is looking forward to be part of CCI and help serve the community it serves. 

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Joined September 2023

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Caroline Kasman

Board Director

Caroline is a Population Health Data Analyst at Community Health Plan of Washington, where she works to improve health outcomes for Medicaid patients in Washington state. She studied global health and health economics at the University of Washington and has a background in biomedical and population health research on chronic diseases. With many friends and family members managing chronic diseases, Caroline is dedicated to addressing systemic social and economic barriers to equitable care.

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Joined September 2019

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Shaila Lobo

Board Director

Shaila is a seasoned executive with over 18 years of experience across global corporations such as Salesforce, where she serves as the Senior Director of Strategy and Transformation. In this role, she leads pivotal initiatives that redefine industry standards and drive transformative growth. Her expertise encompasses strategic planning, data analytics, technology integrations, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and large-scale enterprise-wide transformations.

Shaila is passionate about transforming the healthcare industry through innovative digital transformations. Her goals include enhancing digital infrastructure, improving healthcare services, and ensuring the ethical application in decision-making processes.

Supplementing her professional experience, Shaila holds academic degrees in Medical Electronics and Industrial and Systems Engineering. Her rich career is further distinguished by numerous accolades and her active involvement in academic research and community service, highlighting her commitment to advancing healthcare and technology sectors.

Additionally, Shaila is a member of the Executive Council for Leading Change (ECLC), a global organization that unites executives to redefine the landscape of organizational change and transformation. She also serves on the board of the Icla da Silva Foundation, shaping their strategic direction, advocating for patients, and advancing their mission to save lives through bone marrow and stem cell transplants.

Based in San Francisco and living with her family in Alameda, CA, Shaila enjoys traveling, music, and outdoor activities in her free time.

Joined May 2024

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Tashau Asefaw

Board Director

Tashau is the Director of Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) and Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW). She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with an MBA, with experience in both healthcare and behavioral health. Tashau brings both personal and professional insights to the role as a board member. As a person living with chronic illness, Tashau has firsthand experience of the challenges and complexities that accompany managing a chronic condition. Her personal journey has deepened her understanding of the physical, emotional, and social impacts of chronic illness. Professionally, she has designed, operationalized, and led teams providing services to address individual social needs in addition to advancing SDOH strategic initiatives. Tashau is committed to tackling the broader SDOH that contributes to disparities and inequities within marginalized communities, and she is eager to support the Center for Chronic Illness in its endeavors to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.  

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Joined May 2024

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Ellen Martinez

Board Director

Ellen is a single mother of her autistic son and is autistic and has ADHD herself, as well. She is currently in school to obtain a second bachelors degree, this time in computer science. Her first degree was in psychology. 

 

Ellen has been dealing with chronic pain for over a decade and also suffers from heart disease and chronic fatigue. Because of these health issues as well as mental health issues, she has been a passionate volunteer crisis counselor for Crisis Text Line for the past 5 years. She wants to give support and hope to others who struggle. 

 

Some of her hobbies and interests include reading nonfiction, making pillows, and caring for her dogs Gemma and Barney.

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Joined May 2024

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Karan Dawson, RPh, MS, PhD

Emeritus Board Member

Karan received her B.S. and M.S. in pharmacy and a Ph.D. in Speech Communication from the University of Washington. She completed a residency in hospital pharmacy at the Seattle Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). Before joining the faculty at the UW as Director of Continuing Pharmacy Education, Karan worked at Valley Medical Center and the Seattle VAMC, where she developed interests in psychiatric medicine and substance abuse. She has taught in a variety of courses ranging from social and behavioral sciences to therapeutics and education, and helped institute the School of Pharmacy Plein Geriatric Certificate Program in Pharmacy. In addition to teaching, she currently consults at a local continuous care retirement communities providing clinical services to independent, assisted living, and nursing home residents, as well as professional staff. She volunteers with medical and nursing faculty in UConj 531: Mind Body Medicine.

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Joined March 2016

Interested in joining our CCI board? Learn more about our board member opportunity here! Contact Allison Fine with any questions or if interested at executivedirector@thecenterforchronicillness.org.

In Memorium

Gwen Gordon Drayton

October 10, 1949 - October 7, 2019

Served as board director from January 2017 - September 2019

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