Artisans Team

​Polly Maxwell
Chief Executive Officer
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.
​Mary Ravenna
Chief Operating Officer
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, Direct Support Professional and Employment Services Coordinator. 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 CEO with business operations. 
Joyce Bohlman
Front Desk Coordinator
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.
Darlene Butler
Employment Services Coordinator
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 Employment Services Coordinator 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
​Employment Services Coordinator
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.
Stan Cone
Direct Support Professional
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.
Steve Degenhardt
VP of Community Inclusion Services
​​Direct Support Professional
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.”
Michael Davaz
​​Direct Support Professional
Michael joined Artisans in 2022. Michael was born and raised in the Coeur d' Alene area. He spent most of his adulthood working in various service industries, with extensive  customer service, janitorial, and food preparation. He values most patience, empathy, and integrity. Prior to joining the Artisans team, he worked as a project coordinator that made educational videos for children with development disabilities. Michael enjoys creative pursuits, like art and writing fiction. 
Ethan Decker
Employment Services
​Coordinator
 Ethan grew up in St. Louis, Missouri before moving to Spokane when he was ten. He got his bachelor’s degree in English Literature with a minor in Philosophy at Eastern Washington University and went on to earn his master’s degree in social work from Eastern as well. Ethan joined the Artisans team in 2023. Prior to Artisans, Ethan worked in a variety of different settings including social work medical rehabilitation, person-centered therapy, food service, and DJ for a jazz and blues radio station. Ethan really enjoys being able to connect with people of different backgrounds and experiences and advocate for those who need it. When he’s not working, he enjoys playing guitar, reading science fiction and philosophy, and writing.
Deirdre Farnsworth
​Direct Support Professional
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.
Angie Griffith
​Employment Services Coordinator
 Angie lived in Moses Lake, WA for 30 years, where she met her husband and raised their two children. She and her family moved to Spokane in 2022 to be closer to extended family and has enjoyed the variety of all the recreational activities that Spokane has to offer. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, outdoor activities, comedy shows, and trying out new restaurants and breweries.
 
Angie received her B.S. degree in Business Administration specializing in Finance from Central Washington University. Throughout her life she has volunteered with various groups and organizations that help underserved populations, such as warming shelters for the homeless and distributing food at food banks. Most of her career has primarily been in finance, but after some soul searching, career coaching and realizing her strengths and interests were more focused on making a difference in people’s lives, she decided to pivot careers and do something that mattered to her. This is how she was drawn to joining the Artisans team in 2023. 
Cal Frantz
​Direct Support Professional
Cal was born in Richland Washington and grew up in Lynnwood Washington and Spokane Washington where he dedicated much of his time to playing a multitude of sports: football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and track and field. Cal graduated from North Central High School in 2017 and after a year of college study, he worked in a variety of industries including food service, freight handling, moving services, and security. 
Cal joined Artisans in 2023.

In Cal's free time he organizes video gaming tournaments in the region, that have become nationally recognized drawing competitors from various states and countries to compete in Spokane, Washington. He also travels to tournaments all over the U.S. as he loves meeting new people and building  communities. He loves the work Artisans does and strives to uphold the amazing values that Artisans holds. Helping get individuals involved in the community is what drew Cal in to the work at Artisans. This opportunity lets Cal make a difference in others lives, supporting and connecting them with opportunities in the community.
Madelyn Maxwell
Executive Assistant
Peyton Maxwell
​Direct Support Professional
Grant Coordinator
Peyton was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. Peyton has spent her entire life around individuals with disabilities as her great uncle was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome and her personal connection to Artisans. Peyton volunteered with Artisans over the years and through this experience found she enjoys being around and helping adults with disabilities. Before coming to work for Artisans, Peyton spent three years working in the restaurant industry and is looking forward to broadening that experience and education through Artisans programs. Peyton was fortunate to have a culinary program in high school that she joined in her sophomore year and was part of a culinary team who won the Washington State competition, who went on to travel to Washington D.C. for nationals. Peyton was also awarded culinary student of the year for Washington State in 2020. Peyton’s professional experience in a kitchen and culinary education in high school is a great asset to Artisans as she is able to provide expertise and training to individuals working in and wanting to explore the restaurant industry. Peyton assists in managing the 2022 Spokane County Mini-Grant Artisans was awarded for a Culinary Training Program designed to open up opportunities for individuals with disabilities with little or no prior experience to work in the restaurant industry.  ​
Colin Morin
​Direct Support Professional
Colin brings to Artisans a wealth of knowledge and experience in the culinary industry. Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Colin's culinary journey began early on in his life. With a passion for the art of cooking, he dedicated most of his years to honing his culinary skills, and has had the opportunity to work in some of the finest restaurants in Spokane. Colin also earned his associates degree from Spokane Falls Community College in Culinary Arts. Colin was first introduced to Artisans by working amongst individuals being supported by Artisans in a few kitchens where he worked prior to joining the Artisans team in 2022. Through his culinary expertise, educational pursuits, and deep roots in his community, Colin continues to make a lasting impact as a Direct Support Professional at Artisans.
Mike Mullinex
​Employment Services Coordinator
Mike grew up in Spokane. When he turned 18, he joined the Army, repairing night vision and tactical communication equipment. After he left the military, he attended Eastern Washington University and got his bachelor's degree in Video Production. Previously, he was making therapy videos for kids with developmental delays. Mike decided to take a more active role in helping people with disabilities and joined Artisans in 2022. In his spare time, Mike enjoys the outdoors, whether it's riding his motorcycle in the summer or snowboarding during the winter. He also enjoys artistic hobbies like 3d printing, blacksmithing and painting.  ​
Debbie Niehenke
​Direct Support Professional
Debbie has worked for the Artisans since 2008 as a Direct Support Professional. 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!
Alona Petru
​Direct Support Professional
Alona was born in the Ukraine and moved to the United States in 2015. Alona is fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian. Prior to joining the Artisans team in 2019, she worked 15 years in sales management, accounting, childcare, and food services.
Alona is a 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. ​
Meghan Sullivan
​Direct Support Professional
Being a part of various volunteer organizations in her undergraduate years, Meghan has always held a passion for serving others and recognizing the value of community while doing so. These passions have led her to work at Artisans, where she supervises her clients and supports and encourages them while respecting their agency in the work they do.

Meghan graduated from Spring Hill College in May 2020, majoring in English and minoring in Political Science and Theology. Some of the volunteer work that Meghan has been a part of includes serving at an Elderly Enrichment Center known as Via, where she would assist her clients in activities and games there. Another service program Meghan was a part of and greatly enjoyed was her time spent in “Labre” of Spring Hill, where students would meet and make lunches and bring them to those experiencing homelessness to give them a fresh meal, but also to befriend those they met and show their care for them and their wellbeing. Shortly after graduating Meghan joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest to do a year of service work where she volunteered at St. Margaret’s Shelter as a Resident Volunteer Coordinator. This opportunity led Meghan to Spokane and through her love of Spokane that she developed while living here and her desire to aid others, particularly those who experience marginalization, she was instantly drawn to the work that Artisans does in aiding and empowering their clients. Meghan joined the team in August 2021.