Chris Moore (he / him / his), Executive Director
Chris joined the Washington Trust in 2005 as the organization’s first Field Director. In 2013, Chris became the Washington Trust’s Executive Director, and his responsibilities include day-to-day management and operation of the organization, board governance, fundraising, and human resources. In addition to his executive responsibilities, Chris keeps an active role in the advocacy and outreach work he began as Field Director.
Chris holds a BA in Sociology from the University of California at San Diego and an MA in Preservation Studies from Boston University.
Abby Armato (she / her / hers), Grants Coordinator
As Grants Coordinator, Abby supports several grant programs managed by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation and funded by the Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), including the Heritage Barn Grant Program, Historic Theater Grant Program, Historic Cemetery Grant Program, and Historic County Courthouse Grant Program.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Abby earned a BA in English and Drama from Kenyon College and a certificate in Public Policy from Loyola University Chicago. Prior to joining the Washington Trust, Abby spent four years with Main Street America where she supported local place-based economic development work nationwide through marketing, storytelling, and project management. In her spare time, Abby enjoys hiking with her dog, planning road trips, and hanging out with her vegetable garden.
Kristy Conrad (she / her / hers), Development Director
Kristy manages the Trust’s fundraising initiatives, including membership, sponsorship, and grants.
Before joining the Trust in 2018, Kristy served as Development Director for the historic Hollywood Theatre in Portland, Oregon. Originally from Idaho, Kristy has an MA in film studies from the University of Reading, England, and a BA in film, gender studies, and creative writing from the College of Idaho. She loves historic theaters, art deco design, classic movies, and baking tasty desserts.
Breanne Durham (she / her / hers), Main Street Director
Breanne manages Washington Main Street, a statewide network of communities working to build vitality in their downtown districts using the Main Street Approach®. In addition to supporting to local Main Street programs across the state, Breanne currently serves as a member of Main Street America’s Leadership Advisory Council and Washington SBDC’s Advisory Council.
A native of Eastern Washington, Breanne earned a BA in Sociology from Whitworth University and MA in Communication & Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University. Prior to working for the Washington Trust in 2015, Breanne spent five years as the Executive Director of Beautiful Downtown Lewiston, one of Idaho’s first designated Main Street programs.
Lydia Felty (she / her / hers), Resources Coordinator
Lydia supports the Washington Main Street team through coordination of virtual and in-person learning events and curation of online resources, as well as management of the Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program.
Growing up in a small town in western Ohio, Lydia was raised with an appreciation for supportive local communities and downtowns that celebrate the story of their district. After receiving a BA from Kenyon College in American Studies and English, she turned her focus toward education as an English teacher and then admissions counselor in experiential, place-based schools. She is excited to now be using her experiences in community building and creating systems of support in service of Main Street programs across Washington.
Alex Gradwohl (she / her / hers), Maritime Washington National Heritage Area Program Director
Alex manages the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area, a region-wide program that supports our coastal communities in celebrating, maintaining, and sharing their water-based stories.
Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Alex holds a BA in History and Classical Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in Public History from Loyola University Chicago. Prior to joining the Washington Trust, she managed fundraising events and programs for an environmental nonprofit in the other Washington (DC). Alex loves hiking, cooking, and bad maritime puns.
Luke Hallowell (he / him / his / el), Economic Vitality Specialist
Luke joins the Washington Main Street team as an Economic Vitality Specialist to help provide resources, support, and data analysis to programs statewide in the effort to continue retaining, developing, and recruiting great local businesses to downtown.
Growing up in the 1990s during the renaissance of downtown Walla Walla, Luke got to experience firsthand the rebirth of one of America’s favorite small towns and fell in love with downtown revitalization and historic preservation. He previously served as the director of the Downtown Pasco Development Authority for nearly three years, and his 10 years in nonprofit service include fundraising at a local hospital, doing community development, supporting food banks, and most recently youth development at the Boys and Girls Club. Luke loves main street festivals, great vegan eateries, and finding new places to dance.
Jonelle McCoy (she / her / hers / ella), Main Street Specialist
Jonelle loves exploring new places and downtowns, hunting for the hidden gems that make those places rich with unique people, stories, and heritage. Jonelle joins the Washington Main Street team with a background in community revitalization, civic engagement, human rights and social justice, relationship building, and educational leadership. In her role as Main Street Specialist, she focuses on capacity building and leadership development, primarily for start-up programs, and also manages the Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program. Jonelle is based in Walla Walla – the town so nice, they named it twice.
When Jonelle‘s not downtown daydreaming about what could go in empty storefronts, you can find her hunting for huckleberries in the Blues, with her nose in a book, or looking at the latest kit-built plane at her hometown Experimental Aircraft Association hangar (Chapter 328).
Farah Momin (she / her / hers), Communications Coordinator
Farah coordinates communications for the Washington Trust and its programs, which includes managing the organization’s social media channels, e-newsletters, website, and other modes of communication.
Originally from the Atlanta, Georgia, area, Farah has also lived in New York City, where she received a BA in Culture and Media Studies and an MA in Media Studies from The New School. Farah comes to the Washington Trust from New Orleans and is excited to explore the Pacific Northwest. She has a background in working with small businesses on their branding and social media presence as well as working on digital advertising campaigns. In her spare time, Farah enjoys finding new podcasts to listen to and learning embroidery.
Cathy Wickwire (she / her / hers / ella), Operations Manager
As the Operations Manager, Cathy oversees the day-to-day operation of the organization and the Stimson-Green Mansion. She manages the organization’s financial activities and human resource issues and serves as our in-house docent for guided tours.
A native Washingtonian, Cathy has deep roots that go back several generations on both sides of her family. Born in Spokane, she has spent most of her life in Seattle except for college in Walla Walla at Whitman College and grad school at Boston University where she received an MA in Preservation Studies.
The Washington Trust’s staff accomplishes our work with the help of very active volunteer board members and volunteers.
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