Mario Paredes, Executive Director
Mario brings a proven track record of successful management, effective advocacy, and strategic coalition building. As the former executive director of Consejo Counseling and Referral Service, Mario led the organization from a local agency to a statewide agency with a $6 million annual budget. As a result, Consejo has been able to greatly expand its programming and extend its reach to better serve hundreds of low-income, immigrant families in our region. Mario currently serves on the boards of the Minority Executive Directors Coalition, Washington Community Action Network, and the Casa de Esperanza National Advisory Board, and is a former board president of the King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. He earned a masters degree in Non-Profit Management from Seattle University and a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Western Washington University. As an immigrant to the United States from El Salvador, Mario brings a deep understanding of the challenges facing the children, youth and families in New Futures’ programs.

Leanne Skooglund Hofford, Development Director
Leanne brings more than 20 years of experience in non-profit fundraising, communications and advocacy. As a consultant and staff member, she has supported nearly 20 non-profits in the Puget Sound region in achieving their development goals. Prior to returning to the Northwest in 1991, Leanne led a coalition of national organizations focused on international development policy advocacy in Washington D.C., and worked on the communications staff of a national human rights organization in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She earned a master’s degree in Latin American Studies from Georgetown University, and a B.A. in journalism and Spanish from Butler University in Indianapolis. Leanne also serves as a trustee of the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation.

Kendra Han, LICSW, Programs Director
After earning her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley and her masters degree at Columbia University, Kendra began her social work career at the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center in the Bronx. In a variety of program and management positions, Kendra focused on early childhood services. She provided direct clinical services to families with young children and oversaw the delivery of social services in the Early Head Start and Head Start programs.

Heidi K. Schillinger, MSW, ReachOut Director
Heidi has a decade of experience working with diverse, low-income communities, including five years with New Futures and five years overseas. These experiences have helped shape her passion for providing and sharing culturally competent practices. Heidi brings experience in community development and adult education, and has a BA from Saint Olaf College and a masters of Social Work from the University of Washington. She is currently in charge of directing ReachOut, a social enterprise of New Futures, that works in the broader community and promotes systemic change through organizational professional development trainings focused on cultural competency and community involvement.

Susana Schuarzberg, MPA, Finance Director
Susana’s more than 25 years of management and financial experience includes international companies, consultant groups and mid-sized service organizations. Prior to relocating to Seattle from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Susana served as chief financial officer for a prestigious educational institution (K-12 plus 4-year college). She earned her CPA and business degree at Buenos Aires University and holds a masters of Public Administration from Syracuse University (New York).

To read bios of New Futures Board of Directors, visit our Board page.