Vision House is blessed with a group of talented staff members providing leadership and direction to the agency.

To contact a member of our staff, please call: 425-228-6356 or info@vision-house.org

Vision House Management Team
(In alphabetical order)

Children’s Village Child Care Director, Janine Bell, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development from Washington State University and her Associated Arts degree in Early Childhood Education. She oversees a staff of 21 and has more than 22 years experience working in child care, 16 of which have been in director positions. Janine is also a nationally rated gymnastics judge. Janine’s dedication towards developing a qualified, experienced and caring staff shows immediately as one observes the interactions between our teachers and the children in their care.

Communications and Donor Relations Manager,
Mary Burton
has over 25 years of experience working in business, education and the non-profit sector in various management positions. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Western Washington University, and a Vocational Teaching Certification in Diversified Occupations and Work-Based Learning. She has also earned a Public Relations Certificate from the University of Washington.

Director of Operations & Co-Founder, John Camerer, has 20 years of experience in managing a non-profit organization. He has provided much of the leadership and vision to successfully expand Vision House from conception to its present capacity. Prior to Vision House he worked for the Department of Corrections as a counselor and administrator for 15 years. He earned a B.A. in Crime in Society Sociology with a minor in Organizational Communications from Pacific Lutheran University.

Executive Director & Co-Founder, Susan Camerer, has served Vision House in many leadership positions since its inception in 1990. Susan now leads a staff of 40, oversees an operating budget of nearly $2 million, and directs all capital and expansion projects. Susan has a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Washington and 12 years of experience operating a for-profit company. She also serves as the chair of the marketing committee for the National Partnership Advancing Transformational Housing, a national effort dedicated to serving more homeless families across the nation. In 2010, Susan was featured in the book Secrets of Self-Starters: 48 Amazing Stories to Ignite the Self-Starter in YOU! by Dr. Julie Miller.

Finance Manager, Jeff Darr has 32 years of experience in accounting and finance. He has a BS in Business Administration majoring in Accounting from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. For 9 years Jeff worked as a CPA in public accounting serving a diverse client base including several non-profit organizations. The following 20 years he worked in investment banking for a fixed income broker dealer. His responsibilities included technical support to institutional accounts, compliance, and office administration.

Human Resources/Office Manager, Melissa Gehrig, has a BA in Fine Arts from the University of California, an M.A. from Gonzaga University in Organizational Leadership and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. She has over 15 years experience in various forms of program management and training and development and has worked in the banking industry, in education, in an art museum and as a member of a church staff.

Senior Coordinator, Michelle Nelson has worked for over 17 years in the fundraising field for various non-profit groups. Working at Vision House since 2001, Michelle has written over 375 grants contributing more than $3,000,000 for the agency’s programs and capital campaigns. Michelle graduated from California Lutheran University and went on to receive an M.A. in Journalism from California State University, Northridge.

Director of Development, James (Jim) R. Shapiro* is founder of The EDGE Group, a non-profit fundraising consulting company based in Edmonds, Washington. Jim held the Vice President of Development position of Crista Ministries managing the fundraising operation of the $70 million nonprofit organization. Shapiro is the youngest Vice President in the organization’s 50 year history. In the spring of 2004, Shapiro resigned from CRISTA to build greater value in the non-profit sector by launching The EDGE Group. Shapiro graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a B.B.A. in business with an emphasis on human resource management and continues to serve his community by coaching various youth sports programs including a paid position as the Head Football Coach at a local high school.

Family Services Director, Anne Snook, has over 20 years of experience working with homeless and low-income families. Anne graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a B.A. in Social Services and has an M.A. in Human Development/Social and Health Services. She also served as Chair for the Seattle Coalition for the Homeless. Anne currently serves on the Best Practices Committee for the National Partnership Advancing Transformational Housing, a national effort dedicated to expanding and serving more homeless families across the nation.

*contract staff