Who We Are
Leadership & Governance
Staff leadership
Deanna East
Executive Director
Deanna East brings more than 20 years of experience in public education, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement to her role as Executive Director of the North Thurston Education Foundation. Since 2023, she has led NTEF with compassion and strategic focus, working to remove barriers so every student can thrive.
Deanna began her career with North Thurston Public Schools in 2003 and later served as a McKinney-Vento Homeless Student Navigator, supporting students and families experiencing homelessness and helping improve graduation outcomes. As a parent of two NTPS graduates and an active community leader, she brings both professional expertise and personal commitment to her work.
Volunteer leadership
Meet the NTEF Executive Committee
Christine Forrey
President
Eric Zabala
VP, Resource Development
Serenity Malloy
VP, Disbursement & Awards
Jerry Long
Co-Treasurer
Erica Palkovitz
Co-Treasurer
Veronica Shriver
Secretary
Community voices
Meet the NTEF Board of Trustees
Chief Robert Almada
Teresa Phelps-Nelson
Casey Crawford
Tiffany Sevruk
Faith Sands
Michelle Gipson
Heather Larson
Student voices
Meet Our Youth Board Members
Ella Transfiguracion
Youth Board Member
Sadie Murdock
Youth Board Member
Honorary Members
- Jon Halvorson
- Ken Parsons
- Judy Wilson