Meet the Team

Matilda was born and raised in Sweden but moved permanently to the US in 2020 right before the pandemic. Matilda has a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences and has prior experience in the social worker field as both Governmental Case Manager and Group Home Assistant for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Matilda started her role as BISNF's Program Coordinator in August 2021, and is now the Executive Director of BISNF.

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In her free time, Matilda enjoys spending time with her golden retriever Stella (who is a frequent visitor at Stephens House), and hike in the Olympic National Park.

Penny is a native of Oregon, although she lived on the East Coast for ten years, earning her Masters in Education in Philadelphia before returning to the PNW and Bainbridge Island in 2004. Her professional career has included a number of teaching positions, including outdoor education, early childhood education, physical education teacher and coach, and more recently, special education teacher. Earning her Special Education endorsement at Seattle University, Penny taught K-8 as a Resource Teacher in the Bremerton School District and then served as a mentor to new teachers in the field before joining Stephens House. 

Penny enjoys being active outdoors, including running, cycling, hiking, and paddle boarding in Puget Sound. 

Lori, her husband Josh, and their extended family have lived on Bainbridge Island for the past 16 years.  After moving from the east coast, they chose Bainbridge as their home due to its sense of community.  In addition, they felt it would be a great place to raise their family and a welcoming environment for Lori’s brother-in-law, Chris, who has Down’s Syndrome.

Lori has worked for Nordstrom for the past 27 years.  She is currently a Senior Vice President of Merchandising at Nordstrom.  She joined the Bainbridge Island Special Needs Foundation Board in 2021 to help keep their mission alive after seeing firsthand how vital the program is for adults with disabilities, like her brother-in-law Chris, a member.

Risha is a native to the Pacific Northwest, with a bachelors degree in Business Administration and 20 years of experience in merchandise and financial planning in the retail industry. She is currently a Vice President of Financial Planning and recently supported an organization wide transition from retail accounting to cost accounting.

Risha joined the Bainbridge Island Special Needs Foundation board to connect her financial acumen to the mission and opportunities provided by the Stephens House.

Joy Novak is a seasoned professional with a background in marketing and a knack for creative problem-solving. She has dedicated much of her career to serving non-profit and service-focused agencies, including a notable tenure as President of Kitsap County Insurance Professionals. Joy's commitment to community shines through her passion for giving back, a value she upholds both professionally and personally.

Since the birth of her son Joe, Joy has become a dedicated advocate for neurodivergent communities. Drawing from her firsthand experience as a parent, she
acts as a vital link between families and service providers, ensuring tailored support for those with specific needs. Beyond her professional endeavors, Joy finds fulfillment in her weekly volunteer work at Stephen’s House and enjoys hobbies ranging from savoring good food and live music to indulging in Netflix marathons and cheering on sports teams with her son and daughter.​