Staff - The ZONE Spokane

Jene Ray

Executive Director NECC & The ZONE

Jene Ray has been teaching since fourth grade (with ballet classes and Sunday School as her debut). After obtaining her Master’s in Teaching Degree with both Elementary and Secondary credentials, she was a classroom teacher for twenty years, teaching pre-school through high school before moving to the district level to teach and coach teachers. Jene’s experience includes five years of state level education funding and policy work in Olympia, as well as Directing Operations for an education research center at the University of Washington Tacoma focused on trauma informed instruction, the effects of poverty on learning, and diversity training for staff of both school and out of school programs. Jene serves as The NECC & ZONE Executive Director, aligning partners and developing programs with residents in Northeast Spokane to catalyze multi-generational outcomes in housing, safety, health, economics, and education. Her volunteer roles include Board Chair for Lumen High School and Business Career Development Program Director on the board of Executive Women International Spokane. When Jene has a free moment, she loves trying new recipes, reading books in French, taking walks in the sunshine, and spending time with family.

Coffee Order: Black drip. Hot. By the bucketful.

Heather McKenzie WaitE

Director of Operations

heather@necommunitycenter.com

More About Heather

Heather was raised in Spokane’s Northeast Community in a large Irish Catholic family, where faith and education played a central role. Her parents worked for the Spokane Diocese, allowing her siblings and her to attend All Saints Catholic School and Gonzaga Prep. She later earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Gonzaga University, where she discovered her passion for teaching and leadership.

After college, she began her career in Early Learning at Shoreline Community College in Seattle before returning home to Spokane. She spent 20 years at Spokane Falls Community College as Director of Student Life and Student Programs, working with incredible students and staff who shared a deep commitment to student growth and success.

In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping in the beautiful Northwest, and crocheting.

Coffee Order: Iced Peppermint Latte

Zinzi Kellen

Grants Manager

zinzi@necommunitycenter.com

More About Zinzi

Zinzi Kellen is the Grants Manager who handles grants and funding opportunities. She was born and raised in South Africa and graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science Degree from Rhodes University.

Zinzi Kellen has over 15 years of community engagement experience from her program management work in South Africa and here in Spokane. She is passionate about place-based work because she was raised with the philosophy of Ubuntu, which loosely translated means “I am because we are”. This connection to place and people is what led Zinzi to work at the NECC/Zone. Previously, Zinzi worked at Gonzaga University’s place-based initiative Opportunity Northeast, which is deeply connected to NECC. When not working, Zinzi enjoys the outdoors with her husband, two young daughters, and their dog Mojo.

Coffee Order: Cappuccino

Lavonnie Mcmanus

Economic Mobility Program Manager

lmcmanus@necommunitycenter.com

More About Lavonnie

Lavonnie Mcmanus is from Kalispell, Montana and moved here in 2018. She has a BA in Psychology and an AA in social work. Lavonnie has been an agency affiliated peer counselor since May 2020. Lavonnie’s experience includes four years as the Associate Director for the Samaritan House Homeless Shelter, as well as running their homeless veterans’ program. She has worked for The Violence Free Crisis Line and Abbey Shelter as a Case Manager and Advocate. For the past five years, Lavonnie has worked in re-entry, doing supported employment services, supportive housing services, and was the Regional Reentry Program Manager for Revive Counseling. Lavonnie is the co-owner of Revive Reentry Services, a transitional housing program here in Spokane. Lavonnie has served on the non-profit board of Revive Center for Returning Citizens, helping with classes offered at the Spokane Resource Center on racial equity, implicit bias, ACEs scores, trauma informed care, and cultural sensitivity. She also helps to educate people about the culture of incarceration. When Lavonnie is not working, she loves to ride her motorcycle, bead, crotchet, and spend time with her two sons.

Coffee Order: Cold dirty chai tea

Arash Baha

Economic Mobility Case Manager

abaha@necommunitycenter.com

More About Arash

Arash Baha is an Economic Mobility Case Manager with The Zone, bringing extensive experience in program management, refugee resettlement, and community development. He has worked with organizations such as the American Red Cross, Bethany Christian Services, and Worldwide Language Resources, supporting families, youth, and unaccompanied minors through housing, education, and cultural adjustment programs at locations including Holloman Air Force Base, NM, and Michigan.

Fluent in six languages—English, Farsi, Pashto, Urdu, Hindi, and Dari—Arash specializes in helping refugee and immigrant families overcome barriers to employment and financial stability. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Preston University, Islamabad, and multiple professional certifications in interpretation, mediation, and cultural communication.

Coffee Order: Turkish coffee, strong and simple.

Mandie L.C. Norman

Wellness Coordinator & Compliance Specialist

mnorman@necommunitycenter.com

More About Mandie

Mandie spent her early childhood years camping in the Rocky Mountains in Denver, Colorado where she was born. When she was 6 yrs old, she moved to Riverside, WA and then moved to Spokane WA when she was 12 yrs old.

Her professional background is in tutoring college level students, for writing lab and in health information technology. She has four years of community college under her belt and three years working at SCC as tutor.

After working in medical records and college tutoring, she made a career change as an Employment Navigator and Wellness Coordinator for the Northeast Community Center and The ZONE. Mandie is looking forward to helping to expand the community partnerships in the northeast area and helping to create an inclusive environment with the team at NECC the ZONE. She has a deep passion for youth wellness with emphasis on youth mental health.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, at home movie nights, craft and art projects with her child and husband, berry picking in the forest and any outdoor activity that gets you into nature.

Coffee: White Chocolate Mocha or Afternoon Tea: Peach, Jasmine or Green Tea.

Michaela Cates

Communications and Outreach Specialist

mcates@necommunitycenter.com

More About Michaela

Michaela is from Irvine, CA, (don't hold it against her) and holds a BA in Advertising from Washington State University with a minor in Digital Technology and Culture. With community service being a cornerstone of her life, Michaela has a deep passion for giving back, including serving as a Communication Intern for Volunteer Network OC, a nonprofit founded by their father to connect people with volunteer opportunities throughout Orange County. Michaela also served as Executive Director for WSU Dance Marathon, raising funds for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, specifically Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane. Having worked as a daycare teacher, she is particularly passionate about education and the lasting impact we have on children. Recently, Michaela moved to the area and is excited to be a part of the local community. She looks forward to growing connections within the ZONE and contributing to the community’s growth and success. In her free time, Michaela enjoys exploring new technologies, creative projects, and engaging in meaningful volunteer work. She also loves hanging out with her friends and her 1-year-old German Shepherd Scout.

Coffee Order: Iced Caramel Latte or a surprise Lotus Energy Drink

Emily Shiraishi

Youth Program Manager

eshiraishi@necommunitycenter.com

More About Emily

Emily Shiraishi is from Orange County, CA (don’t get it twisted, she hates avocados) and holds a BA in Psychology and BA in Sociology from Gonzaga University. From sorting recycled materials at the recycling center in Southern California to serving meals to members of the Spokane community, community service has played a central role in her life. After graduating from Gonzaga in 2023, Emily began serving as the Campus Kitchen Community Outreach Coordinator with the Center for Community Engagement at Gonzaga University as an AmeriCorps. Primarily working with the houseless population, low-income families, and the senior population, Emily found a love for the Spokane community and all the wisdom and power within it. Towards the end of her two-year AmeriCorps service term, Emily began supporting NECC The ZONE as the Essential Skills Facilitator, finding a passion in working with women. After Essential Skills finished, Emily now works as the Youth Programs Manager, focused on building reciprocal and meaningful relationships with schools in NE Spokane and community partners. In her free time, outside of pursuing a Masters in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies through Arizona State University and serving on the Asians for Collective Action board, Emily enjoys baking, reading, crocheting, hanging out with friends, and is currently on a quest to find the best French Onion soup.

Coffee: Iced dirty chai with oat milk or Peach/Mango Lotus