Our Board of Directors
Jay Woolford, Board Chair
Jay Woolford, Board Chair at PorchLight, brings over 35 years of leadership in affordable senior housing. As former CEO of SHAG, he oversaw 30+ communities serving 5,500+ residents and led its strategic affiliation with Transforming Age, creating one of the nation’s largest nonprofit aging networks. Jay’s background in architecture and service-enriched housing guides his approach to building strong, supportive communities. He has held leadership roles with LeadingAge Washington, the University of Washington’s continuing education programs, and the state’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board. His deep expertise in housing, planning, and organizational growth strengthens PorchLight’s vision for dignity-centered support.
Judy Faast, Vice Chair
Judy has worked over 15 years in the nonprofit sector in her second career act. She currently serves as a director with Hopelink, a poverty-fighting agency serving homeless and other marginalized communities in North and East King County. Judy has lived most of her life in Bellevue and has observed the increase of people experiencing life without a home. She brings her professional and local expertise in service to PorchLight’s board and mission.
Crissa Cugini, Board Secretary
Born and raised in Renton, Crissa serves her community in many ways. She brings 15 years of board member experience, including past service on the boards of Imagine Housing and Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County. Crissa is an attorney with Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, and regularly counsels clients regarding the acquisition and sale of real estate and the many complex legal issues that arise from the ownership of real estate.
Howard Coleman, Board Treasurer
Howard is the Chief Investment Officer/General Counsel for Coldstream Wealth Management. Prior to Coldstream, he was General Counsel/Managing Director of Genesee Investments. Howard is also an attorney and was a Principal in the law firm of Riddell Williams (now Fox Rothschild) focusing on securities related issues. Howard served as the Chair of Antioch University’s Board of Governors and its Finance and Investment Committees. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Education Access Network, a non-profit helping economically disadvantaged high school students prepare for college.
Bonnie Bowie, Member
Bonnie blends her compassion for people through a long-time career in nursing and through many volunteer experiences, including the Just Health Board (services for homeless in Lake City area in partnership with the Mennonite Church) and King County Public Health Reserve Corps (as an RN). She currently serves as the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs at Seattle University College of Nursing. After years of serving as a PorchLight volunteer, Bonnie joined the Board in 2018.
Don Castle, Member
Past Board Chair, Don brings a 30-year background in corporate and nonprofit management, and has been a long-term volunteer supporting men on the street and at shelters, including PorchLight. A long time Bellevue resident, he developed an appreciation of the complex issues leading to homelessness. He is passionate about ending homelessness, and excited to help sustain and grow PorchLight’s strong model that creates a path for clients to achieve stable living.
Steve Holmes, Member
Steve recently retired from Comcast Cable as Division VP of Government and Regulatory Affairs for Comcast Cable. For 20 years, he was responsible for Comcast’s local government affairs and regulatory matters in 13 Western states. Before that, Steve was VP of Regulatory Affairs for Charter Communications; Assistant City Attorney for the City of Seattle; Director of the Seattle Office of Cable Communication; and staff attorney with U S WEST Communications. Steve has served on multiple industry and non-profit boards and as a volunteer attorney for King County Bar Association’s Neighborhood Legal Clinics. As a forty-year King County resident and PorchLight Board Member, Steve is interested in curbing homelessness and developing innovative housing solutions.
Arshia Nilchian, Board Member
Arshia is a recent graduate of the University of Washington School of Law. He brings valuable experience as a former judicial extern for both a U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge and the Washington State Supreme Court, where he contributed to judicial decision-making through in-depth research and writing. An accomplished mock trial competitor, Arshia also served on the board of the Public Interest Law Student Association and currently serves on the City of Bellevue Planning Commission, where he was appointed by the City Council. His legal training is rooted in a strong commitment to dignity, equity, and access to justice—values that closely reflect PorchLight’s mission.
Brian Warnock, Member
Brian is a technology veteran and a digital marketing professional with Symetra in Bellevue. He has a strong passion for helping nonprofit organizations to achieve digital transformation so they may better serve their communities and clients. Brian possesses a unique skill set that he is eager to employ while assisting in developing organizational marketing strategies and partnering with men and the community to end homelessness on the Eastside.
