Camp is a place of endless possibilities, and our staff works hard to make it that way! Meet the people who come together to make a difference in the lives of thousands of children with serious medical conditions and their families.
Our leadership team.
Michelle Deacon
Director of Finance
Hi, my name is Michelle Deacon and I’ve been working and volunteering in the non-profit world for decades. My background is in finance and accounting and it’s my job to make sure that the camp is a good steward of the donations people make.
As a mom with two grown kids and one granddaughter, I know how important our mission is to both the parents and children we serve, and every day I work to make sure we have the resources needed to keep delivering SeriousFun to everyone.
Marty Dunning
Camp Director
Hello from camp!
I’m Marty, the camp director at Camp Korey. The heart of my role is to make sure our campers, volunteers, and staff all have the best experience imaginable at camp, which is a year-round commitment to safety, learning, and fun!
My first time working at a camp was in 2009, and I was immediately connected to the mission and experience that is camp. Since then, I’ve volunteered or worked at camps in the SeriousFun Children’s Network and am thankful to have been welcomed to my new home at Camp Korey in 2022. In addition to my experiences in camp, I have worked in various non-profits committed to the development of youth and young adults, and I’m continuing my growth educationally in a master’s program in organizational leadership.
The program and activity side of camp has always been a large passion of mine, and the best part is creating adaptations so each of our campers can participate fully in all our activities! Nothing beats the moment where a kid can turn an “I can’t” into “I can,” and the sense of accomplishment, joy, and belonging that goes with it. I have been fortunate to translate this over the years, especially in programs related to challenge courses, archery, boating, horseback riding, and more.
I hope to continue to do all I can to help Camp Korey grow and create more of these transformative experiences for all who join us at camp.
Nichol Ellis
Community Engagement Manager
Hello, friends of Camp Korey!
My name is Nichol Ellis, and I am proud to be the Community Engagement Manager for camp! I am over the moon excited to be part of this amazing community and be a small part of the magic of camp. I come from many many (no need to put a number on it) years of camp and volunteer experiences, and I so strongly believe in the incredibly transformative experience that camp has for all!
In my role as the Community Engagement Manager, I have the privilege of going out into the community and sharing a small sliver of the incredible things that happen here at Camp Korey. I speak to service clubs, share with various groups, network, go to events, plan and implement large corporate volunteer groups, and in general get to be a cheerleader and storyteller of the beauty that camp experiences offer to campers, families, staff, and volunteers! You are all officially invited to come out to Camp Korey and tour the site and learn more! Also, I would love to be invited to your next event to present to your team or group, or of course, to sit with you at the next Seahawks game!
Have a great day!
-Nichol
Top 10 List of Nichol’s favorite things!
10. Daisies! They are my favorite flower. I love the bright cheerfulness of daisies. And fun fact…it is my “camp name” and I will answer to it!
9. I think that puppet shows might be some of the funniest things in the history of the world!
8. I love mascots! Dinger, the Bellinghamster for the Bells holds a very special place in my heart!
7. To me, there is nothing more beautiful than the power of live music. A group of strangers coming together to hear the story of a song they are all individually experiencing together.
6. I love themes and costumes and believe there is magic in a tutu!
5. I love to travel and truly experience people and cultures! I even lived in Papua New Guinea for 5 months!
4. I volunteer for another camp called Camp Phoenix where we serve kids who are burn survivors!
3. I am a huge Seahawks fan! I love being a 12 and cheering for my favorite team!
2. I am in fact the Seagull Calling Champion of Kitsap County 2013!
1. Camp holds a very special place in my heart. I have had the privilege of working at 4 different summer camps. I started as a counselor in 1997 and… the rest is history. That summer was the first summer I really understood who I was and what I was meant to do in this world. I have been striving to do that ever since. Camp is a place where we truly get to be ourselves. It is a safe place to fail, learn, grow, love, and explore. It is a place to welcome our insecurities and embrace our need for community. It is a place where the hours are long, showers are few and far between, our hair smells like campfire, camp songs are sung on repeat, the first stars at twilight shine brighter as the conversations go deeper, and it is a place where lifelong friendships are solidified over the endless inside jokes and moments that can never be repeated. Camp is a place where we all belong.
Isaac Hedblom
Facilities Manager
Hello, my name is Isaac Hedblom and I am the Facility Manager for Camp Korey.
I started here at camp on January 1, 2017, just after Camp Korey purchased the new property in Mount Vernon, WA, and I manage the Facility Team and Housekeeping department.
I grew up in Skagit County/Mount Vernon area and still live in Mount Vernon. I also enjoy offroading 4×4 vehicles and snowboarding Mount Baker in the winter.
Thanks for checking us out and I am sending warm fuzziness to you all. 😊
Jay Henningsen
CEO
WE ARE ALL CONNECTED – LIFE IS ALL ABOUT FINDING AND APPRECIATING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OUR CONNECTIONS.
While I officially joined the Camp Korey team during its transition to Mount Vernon, I have been a major supporter of Camp Korey before its founding.
I joined the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity in college. I was inspired by Paul Newman’s vision and ability to change the world and began raising money for the Hole-in-the-Wall Camp to bring his vision to life.
Fast forward a few decades and serendipity intervened. I attended a fundraiser for Camp Korey and to my surprise, there was Paul Newman, a few of his cars, and it was SeriousFun! I was hooked again by the impact camp has on so many campers and families.
Watching our camper’s development and growth inspires me to plug away to ensure Camp Korey thrives and is a special place where kids can raise a little hell and enjoy childhood.
Sarah Leavitt
Human Resources Director
Greetings! I am Sarah Leavitt, Camp Korey’s Human Resources Director.
I have worked in HR for the past thirty years. My job encompasses anything employee-related and I am most proud of the fabulous team we have built since moving to the current property!
I am mom to three young adult humans, one fabulous grey cat, and a recently-rescued and very poorly-behaved Dalmatian! I enjoy the local beaches and outdoor festivals in my spare time. I firmly believe laughter IS the best medicine and I love to recharge by just listening to our camper’s zeals of laughter!
Christy Lyman
Marketing Manager
Working for and with the community, making a difference, and helping people – are what drive me as a human.
Hello, I’m Christy Lyman, the Marketing Manager for Camp Korey. I spend my days at camp creating a blend of thoughtfully written content, vibrant graphic design, and data-based marketing strategies to best reach our audiences. My goal is to make sure every family that can benefit from camp knows about all the resources and experiences we offer.
My most recent accomplishment at camp is creating this new website! I hope you find it to be a valuable tool to learn all about Camp Korey.
My two best friends are the Oxford comma and a good play on words. You might say I’m pun-stoppable.
Liz Theaker
Director of Development
Hi! I’m Liz, and my role at Camp Korey is to oversee fundraising efforts so every child and family member can attend camp 100% free of charge. There’s nothing better than seeing kids unplug, let go of their worries, and have fun!
Our year-round staff.
Kathleen Banks
Data Systems Manager
Hello there!
I’m Kathleen, the hamster on a wheel behind our donor databases! 🐹 💻
I joined Camp Korey in 2019 because the role our mission fills in the community inspires and energizes me. I’ve been in the nonprofit world for almost a decade and Camp Korey is the most beautiful and magical place to use my fundraising skills alongside a great team.
As a kid, I loved summer camp but you would have found me under a tree reading! At Camp Korey, my favorite activity is anytime I get to try the archery range. 🎯 ❤️
In my work life, I enjoy problem-solving, supporting my teammates, and stepping in wherever needed to help the generous people who make camp possible!
Asha Broetje Bairstow
Admissions Coordinator
Hi! I’m Asha Broetje Bairstow, the Admissions Coordinator at Camp Korey.
In my role, I have the privilege of working very closely with families and campers, being one of the first people they interact with in the process of them joining our camp family. I walk with them through the entire application process and try my best to make it as smooth and stress-free as possible, despite the seemingly endless forms I may ask of them! 😊
As Admissions Coordinator, I hope to help the formalities that are the application process feel as smooth as possible, so families can move on to enjoy our camp magic! I’ve had the privilege of developing connections with dozens of new families and helping them start their camp journeys, and I hope to continue doing so for quite some time!
In my spare time, my puppy Wally and I enjoy adventuring on hiking trails, as well as curling up on the couch together while I read a good book!
Ashley Chandler
Culinary Director
Hello! My name is Ashley, and I am the Culinary Director at Camp Korey, responsible for aspects of meal service at camp.
I started working with Camp Korey in the summer of 2021 as a part-time kitchen staffer and transitioned into my full-time role in January of 2023. As a child, I attended summer camp for 6 summers and fell in love with the camp culture and the “free to be me” spirit of camp. As an adult, I am a camp staffer through and through, spending time at 4 different camps trying out various roles before landing at Camp St. Albans, a Washington state Girl Scout camp; where I served as Culinary Director for 9 summers.
I have always had a passion for cooking and love how food can bring everyone together no matter how different they seem to be. I love the hustle and bustle of a busy camp kitchen and the reward of spending time with happy full-bellied campers. Some of my favorite meals to prepare at camp are pizza, pasta, chocolate chip cookies, and of course classic grilled cheese with homemade chunky tomato soup.
Timothy Chandonnet
Groundskeeper
Hello, I am Tim Chandonnet the Groundskeeper for Camp Korey.
My typical days at camp are spent working closely with Mother Nature to maintain and improve upon the beautiful natural setting of camp for the benefit and enjoyment of the campers and staff. I hope to assist in making camp aesthetically pleasing, fully accessible, and visually appealing for maximum enjoyment for all that visit us here at camp.
Scarlette Cook
Housekeeper
Hey, there!
My name is Scarlette and I’m a housekeeper here at Camp Korey.
My job involves a lot of organizing supplies, cleaning rooms, and communicating with all the staff at camp in an effort to make the camp experience as comfortable as possible.
When I’m not on camp you can find me exploring the Washington backcountry or hanging out with my lovely cat! I’m so thankful for the opportunity to help make camp special!
Carly Cooper-West
Stewardship Manager
Hello!
I’m Carly Cooper-West, the Stewardship Manager here at Camp Korey! Building relationships, serving others, and communicating our appreciation for donors and the impact they are making is one of my favorite things to do! I love that Camp Korey provides a safe place for kids and families to come together, have fun, and build community.
In my free time, I love hiking and exploring all things outdoors, trying new recipes, and spending time with family!
Michelle Deacon
Director of Finance
Hi, my name is Michelle Deacon and I’ve been working and volunteering in the non-profit world for decades. My background is in finance and accounting and it’s my job to make sure that the camp is a good steward of the donations people make.
As a mom with two grown kids and one granddaughter, I know how important our mission is to both the parents and children we serve, and every day I work to make sure we have the resources needed to keep delivering SeriousFun to everyone.
Marty Dunning
Camp Director
Hello from camp!
I’m Marty, the camp director at Camp Korey. The heart of my role is to make sure our campers, volunteers, and staff all have the best experience imaginable at camp, which is a year-round commitment to safety, learning, and fun!
My first time working at a camp was in 2009, and I was immediately connected to the mission and experience that is camp. Since then, I’ve volunteered or worked at camps in the SeriousFun Children’s Network and am thankful to have been welcomed to my new home at Camp Korey in 2022. In addition to my experiences in camp, I have worked in various non-profits committed to the development of youth and young adults, and I’m continuing my growth educationally in a master’s program in organizational leadership.
The program and activity side of camp has always been a large passion of mine, and the best part is creating adaptations so each of our campers can participate fully in all our activities! Nothing beats the moment where a kid can turn an “I can’t” into “I can,” and the sense of accomplishment, joy, and belonging that goes with it. I have been fortunate to translate this over the years, especially in programs related to challenge courses, archery, boating, horseback riding, and more.
I hope to continue to do all I can to help Camp Korey grow and create more of these transformative experiences for all who join us at camp.
Nichol Ellis
Community Engagement Manager
Hello, friends of Camp Korey!
My name is Nichol Ellis, and I am proud to be the Community Engagement Manager for camp! I am over the moon excited to be part of this amazing community and be a small part of the magic of camp. I come from many many (no need to put a number on it) years of camp and volunteer experiences, and I so strongly believe in the incredibly transformative experience that camp has for all!
In my role as the Community Engagement Manager, I have the privilege of going out into the community and sharing a small sliver of the incredible things that happen here at Camp Korey. I speak to service clubs, share with various groups, network, go to events, plan and implement large corporate volunteer groups, and in general get to be a cheerleader and storyteller of the beauty that camp experiences offer to campers, families, staff, and volunteers! You are all officially invited to come out to Camp Korey and tour the site and learn more! Also, I would love to be invited to your next event to present to your team or group, or of course, to sit with you at the next Seahawks game!
Have a great day!
-Nichol
Top 10 List of Nichol’s favorite things!
10. Daisies! They are my favorite flower. I love the bright cheerfulness of daisies. And fun fact…it is my “camp name” and I will answer to it!
9. I think that puppet shows might be some of the funniest things in the history of the world!
8. I love mascots! Dinger, the Bellinghamster for the Bells holds a very special place in my heart!
7. To me, there is nothing more beautiful than the power of live music. A group of strangers coming together to hear the story of a song they are all individually experiencing together.
6. I love themes and costumes and believe there is magic in a tutu!
5. I love to travel and truly experience people and cultures! I even lived in Papua New Guinea for 5 months!
4. I volunteer for another camp called Camp Phoenix where we serve kids who are burn survivors!
3. I am a huge Seahawks fan! I love being a 12 and cheering for my favorite team!
2. I am in fact the Seagull Calling Champion of Kitsap County 2013!
1. Camp holds a very special place in my heart. I have had the privilege of working at 4 different summer camps. I started as a counselor in 1997 and… the rest is history. That summer was the first summer I really understood who I was and what I was meant to do in this world. I have been striving to do that ever since. Camp is a place where we truly get to be ourselves. It is a safe place to fail, learn, grow, love, and explore. It is a place to welcome our insecurities and embrace our need for community. It is a place where the hours are long, showers are few and far between, our hair smells like campfire, camp songs are sung on repeat, the first stars at twilight shine brighter as the conversations go deeper, and it is a place where lifelong friendships are solidified over the endless inside jokes and moments that can never be repeated. Camp is a place where we all belong.
Isaac Hedblom
Facilities Manager
Hello, my name is Isaac Hedblom and I am the Facility Manager for Camp Korey.
I started here at camp on January 1, 2017, just after Camp Korey purchased the new property in Mount Vernon, WA, and I manage the Facility Team and Housekeeping department.
I grew up in Skagit County/Mount Vernon area and still live in Mount Vernon. I also enjoy offroading 4×4 vehicles and snowboarding Mount Baker in the winter.
Thanks for checking us out and I am sending warm fuzziness to you all. 😊
Jay Henningsen
CEO
WE ARE ALL CONNECTED – LIFE IS ALL ABOUT FINDING AND APPRECIATING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OUR CONNECTIONS.
While I officially joined the Camp Korey team during its transition to Mount Vernon, I have been a major supporter of Camp Korey before its founding.
I joined the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity in college. I was inspired by Paul Newman’s vision and ability to change the world and began raising money for the Hole-in-the-Wall Camp to bring his vision to life.
Fast forward a few decades and serendipity intervened. I attended a fundraiser for Camp Korey and to my surprise, there was Paul Newman, a few of his cars, and it was SeriousFun! I was hooked again by the impact camp has on so many campers and families.
Watching our camper’s development and growth inspires me to plug away to ensure Camp Korey thrives and is a special place where kids can raise a little hell and enjoy childhood.
Sarah Leavitt
Human Resources Director
Greetings! I am Sarah Leavitt, Camp Korey’s Human Resources Director.
I have worked in HR for the past thirty years. My job encompasses anything employee-related and I am most proud of the fabulous team we have built since moving to the current property!
I am mom to three young adult humans, one fabulous grey cat, and a recently-rescued and very poorly-behaved Dalmatian! I enjoy the local beaches and outdoor festivals in my spare time. I firmly believe laughter IS the best medicine and I love to recharge by just listening to our camper’s zeals of laughter!
Christy Lyman
Marketing Manager
Working for and with the community, making a difference, and helping people – are what drive me as a human.
Hello, I’m Christy Lyman, the Marketing Manager for Camp Korey. I spend my days at camp creating a blend of thoughtfully written content, vibrant graphic design, and data-based marketing strategies to best reach our audiences. My goal is to make sure every family that can benefit from camp knows about all the resources and experiences we offer.
My most recent accomplishment at camp is creating this new website! I hope you find it to be a valuable tool to learn all about Camp Korey.
My two best friends are the Oxford comma and a good play on words. You might say I’m pun-stoppable.
Paige Mackintosh
Volunteer Manager
Hello!
I’m Paige, and I am the Volunteer Manager at Camp Korey!
I started my involvement with Camp Korey back in 2008 (when I was 17 years old). I have been a Volunteer, Summer Staffer, and intern to now a full-time Volunteer Manager. It is truly a full circle moment in starting out as a volunteer, and now being able to recruit and support so many amazing volunteers, and see camp change their lives! Along with recruiting and supporting volunteers, I do a lot of administrative work, like making sure I have all paperwork I need from volunteers, as well as collecting all the volunteer numbers and hours for data purposes. 😊
I have lived in Washington State my whole life. I graduated from Western Washington University with a BA in Therapeutic Recreation and a Minor in Psychology. I love playing/watching sports (especially soccer), dancing, doing puzzles and word/number games, trying new restaurants, and spending as much time with my friends and family as possible!
Abby Miranda
Camp to You Coordinator
Hi, I’m Abby and I’m the Camp to You Coordinator!
I’m so excited to bring a piece of Camp Korey into our local hospitals. It’s my goal to honor the courage, creativity, and resiliency of all of our campers. I was lucky enough to spend two amazing summers on our seasonal staff team before coming aboard full-time.
I’m my free time I like to do anything outdoors including skiing, hiking, swimming, and kayaking. I also love all kinds of arts and crafts projects, especially knitting, scrapbooking, and painting.
Brandon Mock
Cabin Life Coordinator
Hello, I’m Brandon Mock, the Cabin Life Coordinator at Camp Korey.
My job at camp is to help support our seasonal cabin life team in providing the best care and support to our campers as possible. My goal at camp is to provide an environment where every camper, volunteer, and staff member feels safe and cared for so that they can best experience the magic of camp.
Outside of camp, I am working on writing my dissertation for a Ph.D. in Health Communication and studying how we make sense of health through language, and how our understanding of health influences how we build health systems and health policy.
Nikki Rossiter
Grants Manager
We all have something to give to others to lighten hearts and bring encouragement.
Hi, I’m Nikki Rossiter, and I’m the Grants Manager for Camp Korey. I absolutely love getting to tell foundations and other funders the story of why Camp Korey is such a special place and how they can help us with our amazing mission. I also really love systems, data, and technical stuff. I enjoy finding ways to help our team work better together using the software tools we already have available to us.
After work, you can usually find me enjoying time at home with my wonderful husband and my not-so-lap-sized three-legged dog Amber. Amber’s favorite things are snuggling in my lap wrapped in my big, soft blanket, and barking her head off at the FedEx driver. 💗😂💗
Rob Severin
Maintenance Technician
Hi! My name is Rob Severin
I am a member of the facility maintenance team and I work together on a variety of tasks in support of maintaining and repairing Camp Korey property, buildings, and equipment.
I love the great outdoors, working with my hands, and problem-solving, so working here at the camp is a good fit for me. I also tend to want to help the underdogs and those with extraordinary challenges, which again, makes this camp a good fit for me.
I enjoy a good play on words or an inspirational or witty quote. My current favorite is this: “A boat does not sink because of the water around it, but because of the water in it.”
Jen Shaw
Nursing Director, RN, BSN, CCRN
Hi, I’m Jen Shaw, Nursing Director at Camp Korey.
I have been a pediatric nurse for 17 years and before coming to Camp Korey fulltime I was an ICU nurse and the RISK Nurse at Seattle Children’s. I still work per diem at Seattle Children’s in the Urgent Care department and love to see campers when they have to visit the hospital. I am also a Nursing Instructor and teach PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support).
My husband and I share 6 children and one grandchild and one of our daughters is also a camper. My two dogs Leo and Shadow live at camp with me all summer and many of the campers are excited to come back and see the dogs while they are at camp.
In my spare time my family and I like to hike, snowshoe, camp, ride bikes, play games together, and travel.
Liz Theaker
Director of Development
Hi! I’m Liz, and my role at Camp Korey is to oversee fundraising efforts so every child and family member can attend camp 100% free of charge. There’s nothing better than seeing kids unplug, let go of their worries, and have fun!
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