CVM National Office: Our People
Jennifer Brandon
Executive Director
“There are no easy solutions to the problems associated with poverty, homelessness and violence: once in a while we are fortunate enough to find a simple but effective tool that makes a meaningful difference in people's lives. By strengthening Community Voice Mail, I seek to strengthen people's connection to each another, to opportunities, and to their own dignity.”
Jennifer Brandon has served as Executive Director of Community Voice Mail's National Office since 1998. During her tenure, Community Voice Mail has expanded its presence across the country by negotiating national partnerships, advocating for improved telecommunications for low-income people, and promoting CVM within homeless and social services. Ms. Brandon has been a guest speaker for many national conferences, including Legal Service Corporation, Entrepreneurs Foundation, and the National Hurricane Conference. She also serves on the board of the Washington State Attorney General's Community Advisory Committee.
In 2005, she was awarded a scholarship to attend Stanford University’s Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Wesleyan University.
Steve Albertson
New Initiatives Director
“I believe that technology only fulfills its highest purpose when it is used by 'everyone' in society who can benefit from it, and this is why I think Community Voice Mail is an important organization. To me, it's a privilege to be able to use some of my skills and experiences to bring voice mail to people who can use it to get a job, find housing, or otherwise improve their lives.”
Steve Albertson joined Community Voice Mail in April 2004, initially focusing on the deployment of Cisco's Unity platform to improve and expand CVM's voice mail services nationally. He now identifies and investigates new opportunities for client use of voice mail.
Since leaving Microsoft in 1995, Steve has worked for several organizations that bring technology services and expertise to other nonprofits. From 1995-1999, he was the founder and executive director of ONE/Northwest, which provides technology help to conservation groups in the Pacific Northwest. Since 1999, he has managed a technology-focused grant program at TechFoundation, and served as a business development manager for RealImpact, a division of RealNetworks that provided Web and streaming media consulting to progressive nonprofits.
Steve received an MBA in Sustainable Business from Bainbridge Graduate Institute in 2007, and a Bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Washington in 1985. When not at Community Voice Mail, he enjoys hanging out with his wife Monica and their three children.
Daniel Cheever
Administrative Coordinator
“What I love about Community Voice Mail is the simplicity of it all. Big changes can come from small steps. In an ever-changing world where communication is key to life CVM provides the key to unlock potential. It's great to be part of a team that positively impacts the community."
Daniel refined his project management, event planning, logistics, and database management skills during his 3 years with the Washington State Bar Association's Continuing Legal Education Department. His work brought him around the beautiful state of Washington where he served over 27,000 attorneys. Prior to that he worked for 2 years on a variety of contracts for Measured Progress, an educational assessment company located in Dover, New Hampshire. In addition he spent 6 years combing through the University of New Hampshire's Special Collections & Archives Department where he became well versed in university archives, local historical documents, and unique collections of books, ephemera, and music.
Daniel received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from the University of New Hampshire in 1998. He left his New England surroundings for Seattle in the fall of 2003 where he met his partner Toby. When not at CVM, Daniel enjoys guerrilla gardening, car-free living, soccer, biking, and people-watching in Seattle parks.
Jessica Dally
Help Desk Technician
“In an ever connected age it’s easy to forget how essential a simple phone number can be. Getting a job or home is virtually impossible without one. CVM has taken on this often forgotten need in a way which empowers people to make a positive change in their lives and I feel very blessed to have this opportunity to be a part of it.”
Jessica Dally came to CVM after working IT for Whole Foods Market for 7 years. Her great personality and strong customer service is our frontline of support for the users of the CVM Centralized System and staying ahead of voice mail technology needs.
Jessica is a WA native that has a wide variety of talents including cheese maker and auto mechanic. She is the founder of Seattle Free School where she teaches her skills in her spare time. She currently resides in Seattle with two kitties, three chickens and one beehive.
Brett Hancock
Network Administrator
Brett has been building and tinkering with computers for 12 years and has always found technology of all kinds to be fascinating. He received his Associates Degree in Computer Networking from Renton Technical College in 2005 and is currently pursuing his Bachelors in IT Management from Central Washington University. When not working at CVMN, staring at monitors, or spending time with his daughter, he enjoys watching any and all Seattle sports teams, watching as many obscure horror movies as he can, and listening to and playing music and video games.
Stacy Holmes
Deputy Director
“As global citizens, I believe we are all ultimately connected and accountable to each other. Luckily, I am fortunate enough to work for an organization whose mission complements my personal philosophy and affords me the opportunity to increase access for individuals and support local communities. I try to maintain peace and balance in spirit, heart, and life...or at least keep a sense of humor about it all.”
Stacy joined CVM in 2003 and has been involved in virtually all aspects of CVM, from strategic planning and internal operations to program evaluation and grants management. Stacy works with the staff and Federation members to implement and maintain high quality CVM services and meet the CVM mission.
Prior to CVM, Stacy worked with the national nonprofit, Community-Campus Partnerships for Health, where she was involved in community-based participatory research and outcomes evaluation to improve education for health professionals and the health of their local communities. For over 14 years, Stacy has focused on poverty issues, public health, social justice, and HIV/AIDS, including several years of providing direct services to low-income individuals.
Stacy received her Masters in Public Administration which emphasized nonprofit management and program planning from the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs and her Bachelors degree in social services and multicultural studies from The Evergreen State College. When not at CVM, Stacy enjoys spending time with her partner and their daughter, and their close community of friends and family.
Anna Landa
Program Manager
“Community Voice Mail has found a way to use advanced technology to create simple solutions that help people achieve basic security in life that many of us take for granted including employment, stable housing, personal safety and staying connected to their families. It’s exciting to be part of an organization that truly makes a difference in people’s lives everyday.”
Anna Landa joined Community Voice Mail in 2007 as the Program Development Coordinator to the CVM National staff. Anna focuses on developing new CVM sites across the country and supporting the existing CVM Federation through improving our training resources.
Prior to joining CVM, Anna worked for 3 years with Columbia Legal Services and the Northwest Justice Project in Seattle on a project to expand economic justice for low income individuals with a special focus on immigrant communities and access to financial institutions. Anna also worked for five years as a domestic violence victim advocate, primarily with Spanish speaking survivors in Seattle and King County. Through this past work she gained experience on poverty, social and economic justice issues, and the particular barriers faced by immigrants when accessing services.
Anna received her Masters in Public Administration at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs in 2004. She speaks fluent Spanish and enjoys playing bass in a local rock band with her sisters.
Kathy Lynn
Finance Manager
“It was as if there were a plan to bring me here. After many years in accounting and finance in the telecommunications industry and then switching to a non-profit organization I had a beautiful daughter that needs me to be there for her more than a full-time job would allow. Community Voice Mail came into my life and gave me the opportunity to contribute the skills I have to meet the needs of a growing organization that provides a service that most of us take for granted. Being able to get clear, timely accurate messages from doctors, teachers and social service agencies when you are in a crisis is not a luxury – communication is crucial to finding your way in systems that all but assume that you can be contacted by phone.”
Kathy Lynn has worked as the Financial Manager for Community Voice Mail's National Office from 2000 to 2006 as a contract position and became a part-time employee in 2007. Prior to coming to CVM Kathy worked in finance and accounting in the telecommunications industry between 1989 and 1997. From 1997-1999 she worked in finance and accounting at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center.
Kathy has an MBA from University of Washington and a BA in Business Administration in 1988 from the University of Puget Sound. When not at CVM, Kathy spends her time on renovating her home, caring for her amazing daughter and enjoying a balanced life.
Kathy McAllister
Development Associate
"It is rewarding to be part of a great team that works to improve opportunities for those less fortunate. Staying connected is something one could easily take for granted, but it is exactly that which keeps us compassionate and allows lives to be changed for the better. We all have an opportunity to make a difference, and with Community Voice Mail I feel we are able to impact individuals and their communities.”
Kathy McAllister came to Community Voice Mail in May 2005 after serving three years with the Peace Corps in Haiti. As a small business volunteer she focused on community development and administration training. Her experience working with a wide range of businesses and non-profit organizations has led to her to wanting to make a difference. She has been a consultant to Blue Earth Alliance and Bridges to Understanding, both non-profit organizations utilizing the arts to raise awareness on issues of social justice and compassion.
Kathy graduated from the University of Washington with honors. She resides in Seattle and serves on the Board of the Haitian Sustainable Development Foundation.