Board of Directors

President

  • Katie grew up in Columbus Ohio where her mother began teaching her to sew at age 3. At age 5 her grandmother taught her to knit, and she’s been creating with fabric and yarn ever since.

    Katie graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Human Ecology, and later earned a master’s in Landscape Architecture from the University of Wisconsin, with a focus in historic preservation. She moved to Bellingham in 1999 and began working with the Planning and Community Development Department helping people realize goals for their historic properties. She also led projects to improve parks and trails in Bellingham neighborhoods and collaborated on developing plans to aid the city’s unhoused populations.

    Katie’s favorite part of Ragfinery is the creative freedom the very affordable fabrics and unusual remnants provide – every visit inspires a new project. In her free time Katie enjoys spending time with her husband Jeff and dogs Figgy & Lily, as well hiking, swimming, paddle boarding, and playing with friends.

Vice President

  • Jennifer Hayden has called Bellingham home for more than 20 years. As an Environmental Health Supervisor working in solid waste management, she is passionate about reducing waste through reuse and upcycling. Jennifer earned a degree in Zoology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and has spent her career advancing environmental stewardship through public service.

    Jennifer is especially excited to support an organization that gives textiles a second life and helps keep valuable materials out of the waste stream. When she’s not working or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, and exploring textile arts. She believes that creative reuse, community engagement, and practical waste reduction solutions can make a meaningful difference for future generations.

Secretary

  • As Development Director for Sustainable Connections, Delaney Skordal is well versed in nonprofit fundraising, communications, and fiscal management. She has 12 years of experience in the nonprofit and government sectors, including managing The RE Store's Community Jobs Training Program which supports low-income and disadvantaged individuals re-entering the workforce. Growing up in the Seattle area, attending college in Portland, and eventually settling in Bellingham, Delaney has always called the Pacific Northwest home. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Art History from Lewis & Clark College and a Masters in Education from Western Governors University.

    Delaney's favorite thing about the Ragfinery is the magic of the treasure hunt and finding the perfect item you didn't know you needed. In her free time, you can find Delaney doing crossword puzzles with her cats, crabbing from her canoe, or skiing the cascade concrete at Mt. Baker.

Treasurer

  • Kevin Owens brings to Ragfinery four decades working at the intersection of design, operations and sustainability management.

    With a degree in Industrial Design Kevin entered the world of manufacturing as a designer, developing products, solving manufacturing problems and evolving processes. He entered management at a 100 employee firm and assumed responsibility for manufacturing, personnel development and profit. He partnered with state government to establish a company apprenticeship program with a STEM focus and led teams in the implementation of Lean thinking.

    With a move from one coast to the other Kevin joined a Fortune 600 company having 13,000 employees and global operations. Based in San Francisco Kevin joined and led teams focused on design for sustainability in North America and Europe, soon rising to be a Director of Sustainability.

    He retired from corporate employment after 3 years managing a British Columbia manufacturing company for an Arizona parent.

    Kevin lives with his creative genius partner in Blaine, WA, where he has served the community as Planning Commissioner since 2020. He is a Certified Master Gardener and is coordinator of fund raising sales for the Whatcom County Master Gardeners Foundation. Kevin is humbled to serve as Treasurer, Board of Directors, Ragfinery.

Board Member

  • Ellie has been a board member at Ragfinery since 2022 and is a lifelong fiber arts enthusiast. Ever since she took a knitting class at age 9, she has dabbled in textile crafts. Ellie is the Marketing and Communications Director at Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition and has worked there in some capacity since 2018. Before that she worked for other non-profits also rooted in sustainability and environmental stewardship. Ellie's day job often has her mountain biking on the local trails, but her evenings and weekends are spent crocheting, quilting, embroidering, thrifting, and mending. 

Board Member

  • Marlene Orlick grew up as an Army brat - living all over the US and in Europe. Her father retired in WA and Marlene attended Western Washington State College (now University) and met her lifelong friend who remained in Bellingham. However, an intriguing opportunity came up in her sophomore year and by September Marlene was in Nice France to be an au pair. Marlene Orlick grew up as an Army brat - living all over the US and in Europe. Her father retired in WA and Marlene attended Western Washington State College (now University) and met her lifelong friend who remained in Bellingham. However, an intriguing opportunity came up in her sophomore year and by September Marlene was in Nice France to be an au pair. A year learning French…and french cooking(!), traveling with friends and caring for 2 young children really broadened her horizons. Upon her return she decided to go to UW and earned a degree in French.

    After graduation and several moves, Marlene became a federal civil servant and got to travel to many countries and live overseas. But throughout her career, she always came back to Bellingham for family and friends. After 30 years, she and her husband retired and moved to Bellingham where they are now well established after 11 years and even have both adult children nearby, including one adorable grandson! Marlene and her spouse continue to travel and explore our world and its treasures - polar travel is a favorite for both.

    She has always been a sewist/crafter and has long been invested in recycling and upcycling so the opportunity to work with Ragfinery on the Board of Directors was something she jumped on. It has been a challenging time to work with Ragfinery through it’s transition and move and feels very satisfying to see that accomplished; the future will hold more chances to improve our impact on the community.

Board Member

  • Enid is an artist and surface pattern designer creating print designs for fashion, accessories, and home goods. Her background spans painting and printmaking (BFA, Cleveland Institute of Art), early exposure to textiles through her mother’s fabric shop, and hands-on experience within the fashion and apparel industry in both New York City and the Pacific Northwest. She loves the treasure hunt aspect when shopping at Ragfinery. You never know what you will find!

Board Member

  • Holly Littlefield moved to Bellingham seven years ago.  She is currently retired and spends most of her time hiking, camping, traveling and knitting. She is also learning to weave and spin. She loves finding cool yarn and buttons at Ragfinery.

    Before that she lived in  Minnesota and taught communications and intercultural relations at the University of Minnesota.  She has also worked as an editor and writer.