Artisans Team
Executive Director
Polly Maxwell |
Polly grew up in Spokane and is married with two children. Polly’s educational background includes Hotel and Restaurant Management at Washington State University and Business Management at Eastern Washington University. Polly has helped start non-profit organizations, managed restaurants, opened new business locations and has owned her own business. This has helped Polly understand the needs of employers and given her expertise in training clients to be successful in any field that they choose.
Polly came to Artisans in 2003 to help the Artisans re-organize their mission to include community based employment. Growing up with an uncle with Williams Syndrome, Polly was aware of the importance of employment training and integration for individuals with disabilities. Polly used her background in business management and ownership to foster business relationships and to train staff and clients to integrate successfully. Although Polly’s main responsibility is to oversee the operations of Artisans she continues to be involved in most client employment paths and ensures that every new client with Artisans is teamed up with specialists that will help them be successful in the employment path they choose. |
Assistant Director
Mary Ravenna |
Growing up on a dairy farm in Southern Idaho, Mary was introduced at a young age to the value of hard work and watched first-hand what it takes to run a business. The strong work ethic instilled in her has transferred to her positions at Artisans and also allowed her to help Artisans clients with employment training and build work readiness skills.
Mary started as a volunteer at Artisans in 2004 through a service learning course at Gonzaga University. It was through this volunteer opportunity that her education and passion for serving adults with disabilities ignited. While in college, she became an employee at Artisans under the Work Study program at Gonzaga University. She graduated from Gonzaga University cum laude with a B.A. in English and Journalism in 2007. Although she did not plan on going into this field, it found her, and she became a full-time employee in 2007 after she graduated and has been an integral part of the Artisans’ team ever since. She has filled various roles and company needs along the way serving as Marketing Specialist, Employment Specialist and Job Developer. Mary became Assistant Director of Artisans in 2011. Mary’s main responsibilities for the organization are overseeing Artisans’ programs, integrating technology into its work methods, as well as assisting the Executive Director with business operations. |
VP of Rural Resources
Judy Bales |
Judy brings to Artisans a lifetime of compassion and commitment to serve and support individuals with diagnosed disabilities. After growing up in So. Oregon and then moving to various states, Judy settled in Everett, WA in 2002 when she accepted a job with the WA State DSHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. In August of 2020, Judy and her husband relocated to Chewelah where they are very thankful to finally able to live in these beautiful surroundings. Judy’s education includes attaining a BA degree in Special Education from Emporia State University in Emporia KS in 2000. She went on to attain a MS degree in Rehabilitation Counseling in 2002, also from Emporia State University.
Judy worked in public education for 16-years as a Para-Educator in a variety of special and general education classrooms and programs. Her final years were spent working as an Interpreter for students who were Deaf. She also supported students diagnosed with developmental disabilities, intellectual disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Specific Learning Disabilities, communication disorders, physical disabilities, to name just a few. Judy has a step-son named Tyler who is diagnosed with severe Autism and requires 1:1 supervision. This gives an additional understanding and insight to those families in similar situations who must provide care to make sure all needs are met. After attaining her Rehab Counseling degree and moving to WA State, Judy worked for the Division of Vocational Rehab for approximately 20 years. She brings to The Artisans a wealth of information and experience supporting individuals with disabilities in many aspects of their lives. She has extensive knowledge of programs and services available at the county, state and federal levels. In her spare time, Judy enjoys spending time on her 28-acres, hiking trails and exploring her new surroundings. She and her husband enjoy traveling, camping, and spending time with friends. As Marriage Ministry leaders, they especially feel honored to help others who experience relational challenges. |
Joyce Bohlman
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Joyce began with Artisans in 2017. She graduated in 2010 in Office Administration and has several Microsoft Office Certifications. Over the years she has worked in office and customer service areas as well as with the elderly and the ill in hospital settings. She has a passion for helping others and knowing that success is there for all to achieve is rewarding. Joyce is a mother and a grandmother. On her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family.
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Darlene Butler
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Darlene was first introduced and touched by a person with a disability when friends of hers gave birth to a beautiful girl with Downs Syndrome in 1974. Her friends went on to adopt another girl who also was diagnosed with Down Syndrome into their family in 1979. These two girls enriched Darlene’s heart and opened doors to education and a career working with individuals with disabilities.
Darlene came to Artisans in 2005 as a Job Developer bringing more than 22 years’ experience working with intellectually, physically, and mentally disabled adults in Washington and Montana. Her experience prior to her work with Artisans includes 6 years as a Case Manager for the Developmental Disability Administration in Yakima, Wash., 3 years as a Case Manager position at Butte Sheltered Work Shop in Butte, Montana, 7 years as a Case Manager for Montana Mental Health and 6 years as a Program Coordinator for Haven Homes residential facility for adults with disabilities in Spokane, Wash. Darlene has a gift working with and connecting with people. This is evident in her success in job development for Artisans’ clients through the trust and relationships she is able to build with clients and employers. She is also a much practiced mentor and teacher as she is mother of five children, three step-children, four foster children as well as a proud grandmother of 20 grandchildren. |
Brian Burke
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Brian grew up in Othello, WA and Coeur d'Alene, ID before moving to Spokane to attend Eastern Washington University, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in Music Composition. He went on to earn a Certificate in Computer and Network Support from Spokane Falls Community College. Brian has a passion for cooking, and most of his professional experience is in the Food Service industry. He worked as a cook for fast food and full-service restaurants, a local hospital, and the County Jail. Most recently, Brian participated in an internship for Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, working to re-employ injured workers through Washington State's L&I program. He is excited to put his diverse experience to good use helping to support Artisans' clients in exploring and growing in their own unique employment paths. When not working, Brian enjoys playing drums and singing in his band as well as backpacking, weight training, and snowboarding.
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Stan Cone
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Stan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the culinary industry to Artisans. Stan attended college at Le Coeur D’ Bleu Culinary Arts Academy in Portland, Oregon where he earned a degree in the hospitality field. Stan moved to Spokane afterwards to help his brother-in-law run his restaurant where he was introduced to training and working with adults with disabilities employed at the restaurant. Stan also worked with the Mead Highschool Job Shadow Program to help introduce high school age kids to the culinary industry. He has been in Spokane for 8 years with his wife and two little boys. He has enjoyed working with adults with disabilities through the partnership with various organizations at the restaurant level and is excited to be working with the Artisans where he can use his skills, knowledge and experience to help individuals seeking career paths in the culinary industry and other areas as well.
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Steve Degenhardt
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Steve worked supporting persons with developmentally disabled for 8 years before he came on board with the Artisans in May of 2014. He brought to the organizations years of experience job coaching as well Ability One work site supervision experience. He currently works as an Employment/Community Inclusion Specialist at Artisans. His previous work included I have worked as a job coach, and supervised numerous government Ability One work sites. Steve finds great satisfaction in the work he does, in seeing the progress he is able to help the clients he works with attain each and every day. Outside the office Steve enjoys spending time with family and creating and making things in his workshop.
Steve’s favorite inspirational quote: “Treat each day like it is your last.” |
Deirdre Farnsworth
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Deirdre grew up in Spokane and is married with two children. Her educational background is in the medical field, and she graduated from Spokane Community College. Deirdre's career has primarily been in the medical industry as she held professional positions in medical offices and most recently worked as a phlebotomist at a blood center. She also worked for a non-profit organization for five years in the past, helping people receive the medical care they needed, which was also a very fulfilling job. Deirdre really enjoys making a difference in people lives, and in May of 2021 she started working with Artisans to apply her passion for helping others in a new capacity. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and outdoor activities.
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Kayti Hilzinger
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Kayti Hilzinger is currently a pre-nursing student at Eastern Washington University who, through acting as a caregiver to her older sister with Down Syndrome, has life-long experience working with individuals with varying intellectual and physical disabilities. In High School, she volunteered with Special Olympics, played on the Unified Bowling team, and was an active member of the school’s Diversity Club. After graduation, she began working with the City of Spokane’s Therapeutic Recreation Services Department accompanying groups of individuals to various events and activities in and around the Spokane area. Last summer, she also worked at ‘Funshine Day Camp,’ a TRS-supported summer camp for kids and adults with disabilities. Kayti loves seeing many of the same clients both at work here with the Artisans and at play with TRS.
Kayti has been with the Artisans since January of 2019 and she is thankful to have found an organization that works as tirelessly as this one to serve the clients and make Spokane a more equal and fair workforce for all. |
Debbie Niehenke
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Debbie has worked for the Artisans since 2008 as an Employment Specialist. She had not worked in this field when she started with the organization, but was inspired to do the work as she had the opportunity as a manager in a previous work position to work with a client in our supported employment program. She works primarily at our Waste Management (Smart Center) GSE job site. She is inspired to go to work every day to see the smiles on the faces of the clients she works with and by having the opportunity to help them grow and develop in their skills and employment goals. Outside the office Debbie loves spending time with her family, grandchildren and loves fishing!
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Alona Petru
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Alona was born in the Ukraine and moved to the United States four years ago. Alona is fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian. She has been in the workforce for the past fifteen years working in sales management, accounting, childcare, and food services.
Alona is very positive and cheerful person who enjoys helping others. She has a great deal of life experiences and understands firsthand what it is like to be in a vulnerable position and handicapped. Alona believes life is what you make of it and enjoys being around good people who believe in helping others. In her spare time she enjoys being outdoors, soaking up nature, and viewing wildlife. |
Lauren Warrick
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Lauren is from Tupelo, Mississippi and moved to Spokane in 2012. She is married with 2 children. Lauren as a rich history of working with individuals with disabilities. Both of her parents made careers of working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, so Lauren was introduced to work in this field at a young age. Lauren also has professional experience working with residential services for individuals with disabilities. Her formal education is in Public Health as she attained a degree in Healthcare Organization and Policy. Lauren is highly involved in the community through a variety of non-profits and was also a small business owner for five years. In her free time, Lauren enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Favorite Quote: "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away" - William Shakespeare |
Emmy Wise
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Emmy grew up in Spokane and is married with two children. She worked for Artisans from 2008-2013 and came back to us in 2018 after a 5 year hiatus to stay home with her two girls. She went to Eastern Washington University and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Technology. She has a previous background in medical office management. Emmy is excited to be back and her favorite part of being at Artisans is making local business connections to help our clients find their dream job.
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Jackie Worobec
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Jackie comes to Artisans with a long career in non-profit management, fundraising and volunteer coordination as well as a diverse community volunteer background. Her education is a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Washington and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management. She believes everyone has a talent to share and is excited to help our clients find their perfect job. Meaningful employment is an important piece of making our community strong.
In her spare time, Jackie and her husband enjoy golfing, traveling, and spoiling their yellow Lab. |
