Board of Directors & Management

Gail Thomas, Secretary

Trustee since 2003

Since 1978, Gail Thomas has worked with the Seattle Public Schools as a speech therapist. She received her undergraduate degree in Education and her graduate degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Washington. In addition to serving on The Arc’s Board of Directors, she is also a member of Special Education Advisory and Advocacy Committee (SEAAC) for the Seattle Public Schools, and an Equity Team member at TT Minor Elementary School in Seattle. Gail is passionate for bridging the academic achievement gap in the public school setting. Gail and her husband, Jesse, have been married for almost 30 years and have one daughter, Marissa. In her leisure time, Gail enjoys quilting, knitting, traveling and reading all kinds of books. She is also a Lay Presider at St. Therese Church in Seattle and a member of the Jubilation Gospel Choir.

Elizabeth Masnari, Treasurer

Trustee since 2004

Elizabeth Masnari is a Certified Public Accountant working at Providence Health & Services in the Integrity, Compliance & Audit Services Division. She has over 25 years of auditing, banking, and risk management experience. In addition to her professional credentials, as the parent of a son with developmental disabilities, Elizabeth brings a real life understanding of the daily challenges faced by the families serviced by The Arc of King County. Elizabeth and her husband Jeff are active members of The Arc’s Parent to Parent support network, in addition to the Mother’s Circle and Father’s Network parent support groups sponsored by the Kindering Center in Bellevue. Connecting with other parents and sharing the joys, not just the difficulties of raising a child with a disability is Elizabeth’s passion. She credits her experience on The Arc Board with helping her to become a stronger advocate for her son Nathan and those like him that cannot speak up for themselves. Elizabeth obtained her Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Washington and her Masters of Business Administration from Washington State University. Her past board experience includes four years on the board of the Washington Society of CPAs.

Joshua Brothers, Board Member

Trustee Since 2008

Joshua Brothers received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in 2000, and graduated from the University of San Diego Law School in 2004. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and King County Bar Association and is currently a partner at the Dussault Law Group. His practice focuses on special education advocacy and litigation, benefits advocacy and appeals, guardianship, estate planning, probate and special needs trusts. Joshua was one of 60 cyclists in 1999’s Push America Journey of Hope bicycle ride from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., raising money and awareness for people with disabilities. He serves on the Advisory Board for the Autism Society of Washington and as a member of the Governing Board for the Developmental Disabilities Life Opportunities Trust. Joshua is also a member of The Arc of Washington State and The Arc of King County and the Autism Society of America and of Washington.

Anthony Cangialosi, Board Member

Trustee since 2009

Anthony Cangialosi earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from the Stevens Institute of Technology in 2001 and an MBA from Seattle University in 2007.  Since graduating in 2001, he has worked in a variety of high-tech positions at Microsoft.  During his career, Anthony has worked on building software development tools for both desktop and mobile devices.  His current responsibilities include managing Microsoft's partner relationships around his product and periodically speaking at industry conferences about these technologies.  Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Anthony grew up in central New Jersey.  His family has been a long time client of The Arc in New Jersey.  Anthony recognizes firsthand the value The Arc brings to its community and hopes to bring fresh energy to help support its mission.  He enjoys sailing in the summer, snowboarding in the winter and cooking on the weekends.

Mitch Freedman

Trustee Since 2010

Mitch Freedman is a financial executive with over twenty years of experience in the accounting and investment industries.  Currently, he is the Corporate President and Founding Partner of Mitch Freedman PS Inc. in Bellevue, Washington providing tax preparation, retirement & estate planning, and investment consulting services for individuals, families and businesses. His prior career experiences include working as a staff accountant for Fluery & Company PS of Seattle in addition to serving as Assistant Vice President of Financial and Regulatory Reporting for Shearson Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc. in New York.  Mitch is involved with the Autism Society of Washington and has performed its treasury functions for the past two years.  He also serves on several boards as a member of the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club.  Mitch expressed his motivation to serve as a Board Member for The Arc: “As a parent of two children with special needs, our family has been on the receiving end of services that The Arc of King County dedicates itself to through its mission and vision.  Therefore, I know how important The Arc’s work is and I’m now in a position to offer help to others.”  His hope is to offer expertise, insight and direction as a CPA, financial advisor, parent and friend.

Nancy Johnson, Board Member

Trustee Since 2008

Nancy Johnson received her B.A. from Central Washington University. She is currently Corporate Administrator for Washington Dental Service in Seattle. Nancy has extensive experience with corporate governance, particularly with her present position and helping to establish the Northgate Chamber of Commerce. She has worked in a variety of different organizations – from operating a home business to teaching school to working with corporations. She is professionally associated with the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals, and her interest in other cultures has led her to volunteer in an ESL class at Shoreline Community College and to learn Spanish. Nancy has a sister with a developmental disability, and the services and advocacy of The Arc of King County are important to her.

Andrea Kadlec, Board Member

Trustee since 2006

Andrea Kadlec completed her undergraduate degree in Journalism and her masters in Organizational Leadership at Gonzaga University. She has worked for the past seven years with Disability Rights Washington, the designated protection and advocacy agency of Washington. As a systems advocate, she provides training, works with self-advocates, and promotes policy and laws that support the self-sufficiency and civil and human rights of people with disabilities. Andrea spends most of her time on the Self-Advocacy in Motion Project, which is built by and for youth with disabilities to promote leadership and self-determination. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Special Education Parent & Professional Advisory Council of Northshore School District. Andrea enjoys hiking, kayaking, yoga and her two beautiful girls.

Ana Paula Leite, Board Member

Trustee since 2009

Originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Ana Paula Leite earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the "Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing" in 1995, a post graduate degree in Communications from the same school in 1997 and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Sao Paulo in 2001.  For 13 years she worked in a variety of marketing management positions at top financial institutions such as American Express and Banco Itau.  During her career, Ana Paula developed and managed credit and debit card products, loyalty programs and strategic partnerships.  As a parent of a daughter with developmental disabilities, she understands the challenges faced by many of the families served by The Arc of King County, especially those who have moved from a different country to the United States.  In 2007, she moved to the U.S. with her husband, Alexandre, and their two daughters.  She enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis and sewing. 

Sara McQueed, Board Member

Trustee since 2000

Sara McQueed brings passion and a great level of understanding to our Board of Directors as she knows first hand about utilizing The Arc’s services. Sara has also serves on the Governor’s Council for Developmental Disabilities. She represents this council and The Arc through the King County Partnership for Supporting Advocacy and is also a legislative advocate. As she stated, “I am a long time board member. I am very passionate about self-advocacy. I firmly believe that the self-advocates of today have a duty to teach and train the self-advocates of tomorrow -- to keep up the fight for the right to live and work in the community.”

Kyle Matheson, Board Member

Trustee since 2009

Kyle Matheson has been employed with Pitney Bowes since 1997.  Prior to that, he worked for The Seattle Housing Authority.  Kyle has been a leader in advocacy for people with disabilities.  Since 1981, he has been a volunteer for People First of Washington and has served in various roles such as chapter President, contact/advisor, and Board President.  He has also served on the Washington assembly, the Governor's committee on disabilities, Washington Special Education, and King County Partnership Supporting Advocacy (KSPSA).  Kyle has also volunteered for The Arc of King County's auction, umpired at Black Hill Bambino League and the Ballard Little League, volunteered for the Special Olympics, and has graduated from The Arc's Advocacy for Change Together leadership development class.

Chris Wolff, Board of Directors

Trustee since 2009

Chris Wolff received a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Business as well as a Masters in Mental Health Ministry from Wheaton College Graduate School.  Chris has focused his career on alleviating poverty in both the U.S. and around the world. He left the business sector to serve as Development Director for an after-school center in Washington D.C. In 2003, he moved to the Seattle area to join the $2B World Vision.  He’s combined strategy and relationship building within every kind of fundraising including major gifts, corporate, foundation grants, annual campaigns, and events.  Personally, Chris has a passion for building community to bridge divides among people of different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. He has volunteered as a tutor for at-risk youth, as a mentor to college students, on the Matching Gift Advisory Council for CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education), and has been active with FEAT of WA. He enjoys practicing martial arts with his daughter, swimming with his son who has autism, relaxing over a movie with his wife, and enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest with his extended family in the area.

Heather Young

Trustee Since 2009

Heather Young has been with Microsoft since 2001, where she has successfully lead teams responsible for worldwide program design, marketing and communication over the last several years.  She also has extensive experience in working directly with customers and business partners to address licensing and contract requirements.  She is a disabled veteran of the US Army and certified as an Advanced French Linguist.  One of her first jobs growing up was in the family business where she provided administrative support to three professional guardians.  Heather and her husband Lloyd are the very proud parents of two young boys with special needs, and are involved in several local groups to help new arrivals learn their way around Holland.

 The Arc Management