Meet our Board

Artisans Board

Dean Duncan
Director

Dean has been a Board Member of the Artisans for the past 9 years. He retired from the English Dept. at Lewis & Clark High School and continues to work as a Teacher in District 81. Dean’s older brother was a person with disabilities who worked at Swedish Hospital. He had a long history of employment and found great satisfaction in his job. “We try at Artisans to give people with such disabilities, the same opportunity for employment that my brother had. The organization has grown into one of the leaders of providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Spokane.”

Anjali Barretto
Director

Anjali began her career in special education in India in 1992 where she worked in a residential school for children with disabilities after completing her teaching certificate in Special Education. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 2001 with a Ph.D. in Special Education. Anjali has been teaching at Gonzaga University since 2001. She is a Professor of Special Education and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her areas of interest include behavior disorders and feeding disorders.

Cheryl Paton
Director

Cheryl’s journey into the volunteer world started in July of 1947 when she became the older sister to a brother born with Williams Syndrome. “We have always had a very special bond and I have always been his biggest supporter. Our parents were also great examples as they were always offering assistance to many organizations both physically and monetarily.” Cheryl has been involved with L'Arche Spokane since 1975, worked with the Spokane Guild School from 1972-2000 and has worked with Artisans since 2001. Cheryl’s education includes attending Whitworth College, a B.A. from North Idaho College and a Horticulture Degree from Spokane Community College. Cheryl’s family consists of two fantastic daughters, two great son-in-laws and four beautiful granddaughters. “What I have received in return is nonpareil.”

Larry Kuznetz
Director

Larry has been in law practice for over 37 years and is licensed to practice in both Washington and Idaho. He is a member of the Spokane County and Washington State Bar Associations, Washington State Association for Justice and Washington Employment Lawyers Association. Larry attended Fairhaven College in Bellingham, Washington, receiving his BA degree in Psychology, cum laude, in 1974. He attended Hofstra University School of Law in New York and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1977. He was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Washington from 1979 to 1982. He is a frequent speaker on issues related to discrimination, sexual harassment and workers compensation. Larry is a past chair and member of the Washington State Bar Association Disciplinary Board. He is presently a member of the Washington State Bar Association Hearing Officer Selection Panel. He has been a past president and board member of Spokane AIDS Network and is a member of the Inland Northwest Business Alliance.

Kim Hatch
Director

Kim has an extensive background and many years experience teaching children with a variety of disabilities. He is currently employed at Shadle Park High School teaching students with severe disabilities and has been employed there for more than 6 years. In addition, he worked 23 years at Sacajawea Middle School teaching students with learning disabilities and behavior disorders in a Resource Program. At the start of his career, he taught 5th and 6th grade in Post Falls for three years, one year in Tacoma teaching students with learning disabilities and behavior disorders in a Resource Program, and worked as a program adviser and house supervisor for S.L. Start for a year before starting his teaching career.

Judy King
Director

Judy has been in the mortgage loan industry since 1974, and has helped thousands of home buyers realize their goal of home
ownership. She recently rejoined the Artisans Board in 2016 because of her desire to contribute what she can towards this wonderful cause. Judy has expressed is so inspiring to see the joy that providing employment opportunities to our community does to improve so many lives. Judy has lived and worked in the Spokane area for many years and have been blessed with six granddaughters and one great granddaughter.

Aubra Pengelly-Pollock
Director

Carol Wagner
Director

Carol has spent the last 3 decades in corporate America – her expertise lies in creative marketing, sales, client relations and project management. She hopes her acquired abilities and talents will help the Artisans gain exposure in the greater Spokane area. As a recent transplant from Minneapolis, she and her husband look forward to exploring and enjoying the Pacific Northwest. They have a son, daughter-in-law and grandson living in southern Idaho, as well as another son visiting Spokane – soon to return to Minneapolis. Carol is new to the board membership arena. The opportunity to “give back” to the community is her main goal.

Jane Larson
Director

Jane has been in banking for 17+ years and has held a variety of positions to help small businesses, non-profits, and government agencies with their depository and lending needs. She graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Economics. As a 2014 graduate of Leadership Spokane, Jane is committed to giving back to the community. She has held a board position for the Spokane Chapter of the National Association Women Business Owners and is a former Ambassador with Greater Spokane Incorporated. Currently, Jane is active with the Spokane Chapter of Executive Women International. She hopes to use her business and community connections to help further the work of the Artisans organization.

Katie Hulquist
Director

Katie has been in public accounting since 2010 and is a certified public accountant. She is a member of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Public Accountants. Katie attended Washington State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Accounting as well as a Master of Accounting. She is currently an audit manager at Eide Bailly LLP which is a top 25 CPA firm in the nation. Katie enjoys spending time with her family, watching football, and looks forward to getting more involved in the community.

Steven Gimpel
Director

Steven has worked for Waste Management for the past 5 years. He works at the SMaRT Center, where all of Spokane and Spokane Valley’s recyclables are processed. Currently Waste Management is working with the Artisans on their recycling projects at their new north side facility.

Steven taught special education his last year of high school as an elective, as well as help coach kids with special needs during cross country and track seasons at Mead High School. He has befriended the Artisans crew that work at the SMaRT Center, and that interaction is one of the most fun parts of his day. He hopes to continue helping in this field as much as possible.