National Team

L’Arche USA carries out our mission of service through the vital work and dedication of our staff members. L’Arche benefits from the diverse professional skills and personal experiences staff members bring to their work. Whatever their role, our staff demonstrates a passionate commitment to furthering the mission and vision of L’Arche. We invite you to get to know them.

Laura Giddings, M.Div.

National Leader & Executive Director

Laura provides strategic vision, guidance, and leadership that serves to advance the common mission of L’Arche in the US and abroad, fostering a more inclusive world for all. She has served as a nonprofit leader for over three decades, including 15 years with a L’Arche community as board member and then community leader. Laura is passionate about shared inclusive leadership and the slow work of building relationships across difference. Outside of work, Laura enjoys music, gardening, reading, and especially grandparenting.

lg@sa.org

Andrew Callahan

Director of Finance & Administration

Andrew leads L’Arche USA’s finance and administration team, managing the organization’s financial planning, reporting and strategy along with critical administrative and human resources functions. He has over 18 years of experience since starting with L’Arche USA in 2008, specializing in finance and business planning, budgeting, human resources, and administration. He is passionate about financial sustainability and providing essential financial metrics for executive decision making to ensure nonprofit mission delivery. In his spare time he enjoys fishing and the outdoors, creating memories with family, and cheering on his Pacific Northwest sports teams.

an@***sa.org

Thomas Marquis

Director of Evaluation & Impact

Thomas leads L’Arche in the US’s participatory approach to understanding the effects our collective efforts have on society, harmonizing data across communities to prove and improve the impact of L’Arche. Starting as a direct care assistant, he has served in numerous community and national leadership roles since 2005. Most recently he offers his lived experience and understanding of L’Arche’s culture to provide expertise in impact evaluation while helping L’Arche become more evidence based in the creation and monitoring of strategy. Thomas is passionate about understanding the driving factors of culture and fostering positive societal change. Outside or work, he enjoys baking, travel, and curating carefree timelessness with loved ones.

tm@*sa.org

Andy Noethe, M.N.A.

Director of Community Support

Andy helps L’Arche communities across the U.S. access the resources they need to grow and thrive. He has been part of the L’Arche movement since 2013, previously serving as the Community Leader for L’Arche Portland. With a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame, he is passionate about building movements that center marginalized communities. Outside of work, he loves spending time with his family, fishing, and throwing frisbee with his dog.

an@*****sa.org

Brian Ballard

Director of Development

Brian cultivates relationships with L’Arche USA supporters, seeking to deepen connections with individuals, communities, and organizations who are committed to advancing the rights and inclusion of people with IDD. He has worked at the intersection of the Church and non-profits sectors for the past 15 years, often in development or pastoral care roles. Brian enjoys aligning an individual’s passions with an organization’s mission, helping craft ways supporters can make a difference in the world. Outside of work, Brian enjoys reading and spending time with his two children.

bb@*sa.org

Stasya Erickson

Relationships & Resources Manager

Stasya engages L’Arche communities in the resources and connections they need to build and maintain strong organizations that create radical places of belonging. She has worked in community development for nearly two decades and with L’Arche USA since 2018. She specializes in board health, process and systems improvement, and network resourcing. Stasya is passionate about relationship-driven work and the intrinsic value of every person. She brings her full self to her work with others, and helps them do the same. Outside of work, she is an artist, a mother of two adventurous boys, and a lover of tea and trees.

se@sa.org

Thomas Murphy, Ph.D.

Inclusion & Advocacy Manager

Tom supports and promotes the leadership and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in L’Arche across the US and develops advocacy and policy awareness around issues that impact L’Arche communities. Tom began with L’Arche as a direct care assistant in 2002 and has held a number of leadership roles since. He continues to develop expertise in accessible learning design and inclusive decision making, which fuels his passion for building a culture of belonging in L’Arche and beyond. Outside of work, Tom can be found hiking with his family and reading, writing, and teaching about theology and spirituality.

tm*@***sa.org

Sharon Ryan, M.S.

Learning & Culture Manager

Sharon brings over 30 years of nonprofit management experience, with more than half spent with L’Arche. In her current role, she develops national learning resources, trainings, and retreats that support communities’ grounding in shared L’Arche values and practices and foster inclusive, co-creative leadership. She is committed to belonging across difference and the accessible communication, intentional pacing, and generous listening that are essential to it. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her large, lively family, creating fiber art, and exploring scenic walking spots.

sh@***sa.org

Danelle Harris

Finance Coordinator

Danelle supports L’Arche USA finance and administration team, ensuring efficient finance operations and administrative support, focusing on accounting, logistics and event planning. She helps streamline processes and manage resources effectively to enhance daily operations and facilitate successful events. She has been working in finance and administration for over 17 years, specializing in financial analysis, budgeting and accuracy. She is passionate about precise and correct record keeping for clear transparency. Outside of work, she enjoys adventures with her dogs, painting and drawing.

dh*@***sa.org

Kyla Ponciano

Engagement Specialist

Soy latina and very proud of it! My hobbies include writing and reading poetry, hanging out with family and friends, listening to music, dancing and being out in nature. I also enjoy being of service, which includes L’Arche. I am very grateful to be able to be a part of this team, working to make a positive impact on people of all different abilities and the world.

ky@*****sa.org

Sarah Moore

Sacred Stories Project Manager

Sarah is our newest team member managing the Sacred Stories Project! More to come…

sm@***sa.org

Anna McNeely-Fox

Development Coordinator

Anna supports L’Arche USA’s fundraising, communication, and relationship-building efforts- recognizing that each member of the greater-L’Arche network plays a vital role in advancing the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has worked with L’Arche, holding various roles- assistant, house leader, and national team member- since 2020. Anna is passionate about deep listening, cultivating meaningful and mutual relationships, and inviting people into the mission of L’Arche. Outside of work, she enjoys singing, yoga, painting, and spending quality time with loved ones.

af@*****sa.org

Parker Davis

Communications & Creative Manager

Parker thoughtfully crafts L’Arche USA’s communications and design, uplifting the stories of people with IDD and furthering the mission of L’Arche to reach new audiences. He has worked with L’Arche in various roles—intern, live-in assistant, and national team member—since 2016, and specializes in digital design, creative storytelling, and communication strategy. Parker is passionate about bringing creative ideas to life that celebrate diversity and build bridges to community. Outside of work, they enjoy painting and drawing, hiking with their dog, and cooking meals for friends.

pd@***sa.org

National Board of Directors

L’Arche USA is grateful to have passionate board members who donate their unique skills and expertise to help further our mission. The board of L’Arche USA provides leadership in areas of policy formulation, fundraising, communications and development, government relations, oversight, and other support of regions and communities of L’Arche USA.

Interested in becoming a board member? Click here.