Spotlight – Page 3

Donna Riggers

I was born and raised in Spokane, been working with children since 2010 from nannying to volunteering at Joya, Sacred Heart, and Shriners, to working at a daycare. Since I was young, I have always known I wanted to work with children. When I started volunteering at Joya I got to explore and experience a different setting with kids, and it made me love Joya and the kids and family you get to work with. I love working with infants and toddlers. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Children’s Studies at Eastern Washington University, and a Master‘s Degree in Child Life at Texas Woman’s University. During my free time, I enjoy reading, scrapbooking, and cooking. I also love to spend time with my family and friends. I also love to travel.

Linh Duong

Jennifer Baker

A native of Spokane, Jennifer joined the Joya Child & Development team in 2017. She plays a pivotal role helping families by providing a path through the confusion of health insurance for our clients. She also takes great pride in being the go-to for any health insurance questions that arise from Joya parents and staff. Jennifer is remarkable, making sure that every aspect of the billing is done thoroughly and correct so as to not put any unnecessary financial burdens on families. Jennifer says it’s so fulfilling to ease those burdens. Jennifer is married and mom to an 8-year-old son. He loves his Taekwondo and the family’s two rescue dogs.

Lois Robertson

Lois was born and raised in central Illinois. She moved to Spokane with her husband in 1984. Lois became familiar with Joya Child & Family Development 32 years ago when her daughter was born and required services here. Later, her son was a peer model in a toddler class. When her son was in school full time, the position of classroom assistant opened and she has been here ever since. In 2020, Lois transitioned into her new position of facilities coordinator. When not at the school, Lois is teaching piano or accompanying for the Northwest Opera or Spokane Children’s Theater.

Katy Bors

Katy was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and spent numerous years in Las Vegas, Nevada before deciding to move to Spokane, Washington where her family has many roots. It gives Katy great satisfaction to see the life-changing work being done every day and considers it an honor to help support the staff here at Joya!

Robert Hartnett

Robert was born in Germany and grew up in a military family where he enjoyed moving frequently and experiencing various cultures. He then served in the US Army Intelligence Community with the 10th Mountain Division. After the military, he earned his degree in Health Services Administration from Eastern Washington University and spent the next 17 years managing medical offices with a focus on healthcare accounting.

Sarah Bunney

Sarah Bunney is the Assistant Director at Joya Child & Family Development. Spokane is her home, and she is a graduate of Eastern Washington University. Sarah is thrilled to be a part of the Joya team and passionate about Early Intervention because it gives children and families the tools and support, they need to navigate challenging times in their lives and experience success, and Joya does a great job at that!

Colleen Fuchs

Colleen (Thompson) Fuchs is the Executive Director of Joya Child & Family Development, a non-profit providing early intervention services to infants and toddlers in Spokane County. Colleen has a longtime connection to Joya, formerly the Spokane Guilds’ School, and a strong affinity for the organization’s mission and history. She’s an alumni parent and former board member who’s seen first-hand the value of early intervention. In 2016 she was hired to serve as Joya’s program coordinator, overseeing a team of therapists and teachers and coordinating with Joya’s medical and social workers to deliver the best program possible for children and families. In 2019, Colleen was promoted to Executive Director and has led the 62 year old organization through the construction of a new facility and move to the University District in 2022. Colleen has experience as a teacher and administrator in early childhood and elementary education; pediatric hospital and residential care of medically complex children; owning and operating a business; and in higher education and early learning research. She is a native of Spokane and holds a bachelor’s degree in Education with endorsements in Elementary Education, Special Education and Early Childhood Special Education from Gonzaga University.

Ginette Kerkering

Ginette grew up in Walla Walla, Washington, but headed back to her family roots in Bozeman, Montana for her undergraduate degree at Montana State University. She found out about physical therapy from a friend at MSU and knew right away that this was a perfect career for her. She attended Eastern Washington University for her physical therapy degree and graduated in 1994. Ginette was lucky to get a job in pediatrics right after graduation and never looked back. She has worked in a variety of pediatric settings, including out-patient pediatrics, neonatal and pediatric intensive care units and pediatric oncology. Ginette came to Joya in 2005 and has been thrilled to be there ever since.

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