Holly joined the Alliance after many years of supporting caregivers as a licensor in the Tacoma area.  Prior to that, she worked directly with youth who had experienced significant trauma and loss.  Before entering the child welfare field, Holly worked as an advocate for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.  Her early career began in the HIV prevention and education field.

Holly received her Master of Science (MS) in training and development from the University of Louisville.  This program provided additional structure and foundation for her mission of mentoring and training adults.

In recent years, Holly has focused on trauma-informed somatic and mindful practices, completing 500+ hours of training in Mindfulness-Based Yoga, earning a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-500) credential, alongside achieving Qualified Teacher (QT) status of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), an evidenced-based curriculum, through the University of California at San Diego’s Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute.

In all things, Holly is motivated by helping people connect more deeply to their self and others.  She enjoys seeing the process of learning unfold in unique ways that respect and honor each person, all communities, and the world as a whole.

Holly spends her leisure time reading, writing, dancing, and learning archery as a mindful practice.

West Duncan - swduncan@uw.edu

West Duncan has a 20 year history in serving LGBTQ+, youth and adult communities through non-profit engagement and education roles throughout the world. Beginning with obtaining their BA in Women’s and Gender Studies from the Evergreen State College, West went on to work as a Communications Director for LGBTQ+ organizations in Portland OR, focusing on marriage equality, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and youth advocacy. From there, West moved abroad to South Korea where they taught 3^rd and 4^th grade in a public school, residing in a rural town in the central countryside.

After moving back stateside, West received their first Master’s Degree from DePaul University in Chicago, IL where they were also a Teaching Assistant for the Department. After graduation, West began focusing their work on advocating for LGBTQ+, gender non-binary and women’s healthcare where they became the Development Director for the Chicago Women’s Health Center; one of the first healthcare centers in the country to specialize in gender affirming care and reproductive justice. West’s work also contributed to ensuring comprehensive sex education in Chicago-based schools for youth 5^th-12^th grades. From there, West became the Education Coordinator at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology in Chicago, focusing their work on provider education strategies for ensuring representation for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC patients requiring competent care.

Most recently, West earned their additional Master’s in Social Work from University of Denver and has been working in community mental health as a clinical social worker serving youth ages 5-17 years-old. West is working towards obtaining their Washington state license for clinical social work to be the most well-rounded social worker they can be. West began as a Curriculum and Facilitation Specialist with the Alliance in June 2021 and is excited to serve Washington State’s diverse communities advocating for youth and families.

In their free time West is an avid outdoors enthusiast, often spending more time in their tent than at home. West also has a long history of working on and racing sailboats, a lifelong passion and integral part of their family history. When not in the woods or on boats, West can be found traveling often, engaged in social justice activism and chasing after their rambunctious cat named Moo.