Board of Directors

For Step By Step and all Step By Step non-profits and social enterprises

Dave Lawson

Board Chair

Dave attended Pacific Lutheran University and has a BA in Business Administration with a minor in Economics. He has 42 years of experience as a Human Resources leader in organizations with both domestic and international markets. He retired as the EVP of Human Resources at Columbia Bank/Umpqua Bank in July 2023. Dave and his wife Kim have been married for 42 years and have two children and four grandchildren.

John david terry II

Attorney

With a bachelors degree from Tarkio College and a JD from the University of Puget sound, John Terry is the longest standing board member. John has over 30 years of experience before he retired. He still keeps his license active and is involved with his community through the Chamber of Commerce, sports, and his church. He has two children with his wife Gloria.

Krista Linden

Founder and CEO

Krista is the founder and CEO of Step By Step, Farm 12, and Fika. She started Step By Step in 1997. Krista graduated with a degree in education from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN. She was inspired to start Step By Step after her student teaching rotation in a first-grade classroom, where she met a 6-year-old little girl with fetal alcohol syndrome. Krista serves as president of Step By Step's Board of Directors, but she is a non-voting board member. Krista and Jon have been married for 31 years and have seven daughters, three sons-in-laws, and two grandsons.

SHAKISHA ROSS

Program Manager

Shakisha Ross graduated from Seattle Pacific University with degrees in Political Science and Interior Design. She works for Puget Sound Energy as their Energy Equity Program Manager. In addition to the board, Shakisha is very involved in our Dreams Work Job Training program and Big Brother, Big Sister. She loves spending time with her husband of almost 29 years, her children and grandchildren.

Katrina Asay

Katrina was a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing District 30 from 2011 to 2013. She served as the Mayor of Milton, WA from 2003-2010 and on the Milton City Council from 1995-2003. She also works as a tax preparer and is a licensed real estate agent. Katrina and her husband Neil have been married for 47 years and have three children and six grandchildren.

PETER BECKWITH

Lawyer

Peter is General Counsel for South Sound 911.  He received his law degree from Seattle University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Washington State University. Previously, he served as the president of the Auburn Public Schools Foundation and was recognized by the Business Examiner’s 40 under Forty program as an outstanding South Sound community leader under the age of forty.

jen fletcher

MC, BSN, RN, AMB-BC

Jennifer graduated from the University of Arizona College of Nursing with her BSN (1998) and attained her Master of Counseling degree with an emphasis in Community Counseling (2003.)

Jen is currently an RN on the Community Health team at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, working to support chronic disease prevention, and maternal and child health initiatives throughout the Puget Sound region. As the Coordinator for VMFH’s Congregational Health Ministries Network, Jen also supports local faith community nurses and health ministers in sustaining active health ministries, promoting the holistic health and wellness of their congregations and communities.

Her and her husband Trey have been married for 25 years and have two children.