Directors

Susan Yang
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ms. Susan Yang, MPP is Denise Louie Education Center’s Executive Director. She joined our team in 2015 and oversees daily operations at seven site locations and leads a collaborative planning process with board members, parents, and staff to develop, update, and monitor agency goals. Susan brings over 15 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector in early childhood education and human services field. She has led efforts in policy, program, and research in her various roles. She holds a Master of Public Policy with a concentration in social, domestic policy, from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Nikki Huang
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING

(206) 806-7389 | nhuang@deniselouie.org

Ms. Nikki Lac Huang, MPA, is Denise Louie’s Director of Development and Marketing. Born in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Nikki and her family immigrated to the United States when she was 6 years old after living in the Philippines refugee camp. She joined our team in 2014 and oversees all philanthropy efforts to grow the agency’s capital and unrestricted funding as well oversee all marketing and external communications. Nikki brings over 20 years of nonprofit experience, taking on a range of roles from Highline Medical Center Foundation’s Development Manager to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Washtenaw County’s Executive Director. She has served as a Board Member for the International Community Health Services Foundation, API Chaya, and was on the Komen of Puget Sound’s grant committee for many years. She is currently on the Kawabe Memorial Trust Board, Secretary of State appointed Washington State Combined Fund Drive Advisory Council member, as well as a Board Member for the Washington Women Foundation. Nikki holds a Master of Public Administration from Seattle University.

Nina Luu
PROGRAM DIRECTOR

(206) 767-8223 | nluu@deniselouie.org

Nina Luu joined DLEC in 2015, taking on different roles in many of our departments, from Enrollment to Family Services, she has a deep understanding of how our agency operates. In her role as the Program Director, she leads the education team to ensure that a high quality early childhood education is provided and accessible to all children and families that we serve through five learning centers. She is involved with the Policy Council and has served on the Development and Employee Wellness Committees. Prior to Denise Louie, she has worked with our community partners Seattle Children as well the Washington Health Benefit Exchange ensuring our community is healthy and has the appropriate support to thrive. Nina is a graduate of the University of Washington with a major in Healthcare Leadership and Minoring in Business Administration and Nonprofit Management.

Shaniqua Harris
DIRECTOR OF HOME VISITING

(206) 902-6389 | sharris@deniselouie.org

Shaniqua Harris, MA is Denise Louie’s Director of Home Visiting. She joined our team March of 2020 and oversees the Home visiting team. As Home Visiting Director Shaniqua will design, implement and manage DLEC internal structures, systems, policies, and procedures for home-based, ensuring compliance with Head Start performance standards and best practices. Shaniqua will be bringing 10 years of experience working in the Early Childhood Education field in both Center based and Home based lenses. She has been a teacher, case manager and home visitor in her past roles. She holds a Master’s of Arts in Leadership and Communication and Bachelors of Arts in Human Development Minoring in Early Childhood Education.

Marah Irizarry Nazario
OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT DIRECTOR

(206) 767-8223 | mirizarry@deniselouie.org

Ms. Marah Irizarry Nazario, MSW, is Denise Louie’s Outreach and Enrollment Director. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she speaks fluent Spanish. She joined our team in 2018 and oversees Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) and Family Service departments for both EHS and HS programs. She monitors center operations for compliance with parent engagements, family and community partnership requirements; and monitors service delivery to families and recruitment efforts. Marah brings with her over 11 years of experience from the social service sector with 4 of those years working with Head Start, Early Head Start and Migrant Head Start. She has taken on a variety of family support roles during her professional career, including Family Service supervisor, Early Intervention coordinator, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) case manager. She holds a Master in Clinical Social Work from Universidad del Este in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.

Troy Ajer
DATA QUALITY IMPROVEMENT MANAGER

(206) 902-6368 | tajer@deniselouie.org

Troy Ajer joined Denise Louie in 2023 as the Data Quality Improvement Manager. He helps lead the team’s efforts in using data to improve outcomes for our children and families, and monitor the effectiveness of our programs. Troy has several years of previous experience with programs that support families and early childhood development in Hawaii, where he oversaw data management and reporting. He graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a Bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics.

Amy Murray
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

(206) 890-4381 | amurray@deniselouie.org

Amy Murray is the Finance Director at Denise Louie, having joined permanently in 2023 after a year as interim Finance Director. Previously, she operated ABMurray Consulting, specializing in advising NFP organizations on business processes and technology. With experience managing budgets ranging from 150K to 50M, she’s worked in various capacities, including as Controller at Seattle Foundation overseeing 1-billion-dollar assets, CFO at Impact Washington, and Senior Director of Finance at the Allen Institute for Brain Science. She holds a BBA in Accounting from Florida Atlantic University, CPA licenses in Washington & Florida, and is actively engaged in community service, serving as Board President at NW Hope and Healing and a member of JFS Finance Committee.

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Directors

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