Staff
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is operated by a dedicated, compassionate, and skilled staff that guide our large team of volunteers in the community.
Gina Harris
Chief Executive Officer
Gina Harris
Gina has been the CEO at NILMDTS since October 2011. Gina has extensive expertise in nonprofit management and has personally been touched by the services of NILMDTS.
In 2007, Gina was pregnant with her first child. During a routine prenatal visit, she and her husband learned that their unborn son had a rare condition called Potter’s Syndrome, which is not compatible with life. The Harris’ chose to carry him to term. Prior to delivery, Harris contacted Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep to request photographs in which Co-founder Sandy Puc’ captured the images of David.
Not even a year later, the Harris’ lost their second son, Ethan from another, unrelated fetal condition called hydrops and cystic hygromas. Because his condition was so severe and the shock they were in, the couple did not get pictures of him. Gina says it has left an empty hole in her heart. She understands from firsthand experience the significance NILMDTS images have on the grieving process.
Gina spent most of her career at a national youth-serving agency for over 12 years. The last five years of her career there, she took over for the founder and became the executive director.
Gina is a sought after national speaker in the fields of relationship education, bereavement, and positive youth development. Gina is a contributing author in the books, “Unshakable Character” and “The Burning Heart of a Difference Maker.” Her story (listed under her maiden name Gina Waegele) is featured in the book, “Sister Freaks,” edited by Rebecca St. James. She has been featured in major media including CNN, The LA Times, The Washington Post, Extra, NBC, People Magazine, all the major Denver media, as well as dozens of local newspapers and radio shows.
Gina has a Master’s of Science in Nonprofit Management from Regis University. She graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor of arts in television news and video communications and has worked as a reporter and anchor for a CBS affiliate. Gina is a back to back State Champion cheerleading coach and choreographer and was the 2008 John Lynch Foundation Coach of the Year. She has been married to her husband Rob since 2004. Rob, Gina, and her rainbow baby RJ along with their dog Lily reside in Colorado.
Ali Furtwangler
Volunteer Program Manager
Ali Furtwangler
Ali came to know Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep when her first baby, Zachary, was stillborn in 2011. She began volunteering as a Community Network Volunteer in 2013 assisting with recruitment and in 2015, she became the Seattle Area Coordinator. After a year of great administrative and logistical advancement for her local team, she joined the ranks of Regional Coordinator in 2016. To help drive consistency and connectivity within the organization, she continued as a Volunteer Coordinator until she was asked to join the staff as Volunteer Care Specialist. She is also a Seattle area affiliated photographer volunteer.
Ali enjoys honoring her son’s memory by helping others experiencing loss and showing them there is hope after such a significant and devastating loss. She first found her own version of hope by welcoming her daughter, Vivian, at the end of 2012 and has since welcomed a healthy baby boy, Conner, in 2014 and second daughter, Claire, in 2016. Besides her roles within NILMDTS she is also actively involved as the President of Parent Support of Puget Sound, a Seattle area non-profit supporting families experiencing miscarriage, pregnancy loss, stillbirth and infant death.
Ali resides in Sammamish, Washington with her loving husband, three lively children, a dog and a cat.
Amy Padilla
Office Administrator
Amy Padilla
Lisa Manchester
Session Specialist
Lisa Manchester
When Lisa began her photography career in 2008, she learned of NILMDTS from various photography groups and forums she was a part of. After hearing so many good things, she decided she wanted to become a part of this amazing organization some day. That day came in 2014 when she proudly joined the ranks as Affiliated Photographer, and a few years later became a Digital Retouch Artist. Now she is also the Session Specialist for NILMDTS and is honored to be aligned with an organization dedicated to giving back. She and her family are actively involved in their church and she volunteers some of her spare time at a local youth community cafe.
Lisa and her husband Todd live in Vermont and have 6 children and a son in law. Elyse (30) is married to Will, Alex (26), Jonathan (19), Anna (17), Erika (15), and Mark (13), and they have 3 cats, a dog, and 9 chickens.
Lorri Sisemore
Marketing Manager
Lorri Sisemore
Determined to find purposeful work after the loss of her first child, daughter Sadie Rose, Lorri joined NILMDTS in March 2018. Before joining the team, Lorri was heavily involved with the Virtual Remembrance Walk, raising funds for NILMDTS and organizing a Tulsa, OK walk in honor of her daughter.
Prior to her role as Development Coordinator, Lorri was the Director of Events for a regional chamber of commerce. She planned and executed over 120 events per year for regional members, including an annual Washington D.C. Fly-In. Lorri has extensive experience in the field of marketing and comminutions, as well as sponsorship generation and fulfillment.
A native Oklahoman, Lorri has a BA in Journalism-Advertising from The University of Central Oklahoma. Lorri is married to her high school sweetheart, Stephen and together they welcomed their second daughter in December 2017. In her free time, Lorri enjoys traveling to new places, gardening and attempting Pinterest crafts and recipes.
Melanie Rodger
Volunteer Care Specialist
Melanie Rodger
Melanie found NILMDTS in 2010, shortly after the loss of her first son, Bennett Ian. She was unable to have NILMDTS services at the hospital she gave birth at and once discovering what the organization did, was determined to be a part of giving back one day. Melanie joined as a community volunteer in 2018, shortly after the birth of her second son, Lachlan, and became heavily involved in dispatching phone calls and recruiting local volunteers. She quickly stepped up to take on the volunteer role of Area Coordinator after the position became available at the end of 2018 and has been a part of helping her Seattle team grow ever since. Melanie was involved in sales and sales management prior to her involvement with NILMDTS.
Melanie resides in Bellevue, WA with her husband and her son. You can guarantee to find them either outdoors, discovering the latest foodie spot, or on a plane to somewhere new in their free time!
Melisa Ramsey
Design and Data Coordinator
Melisa Ramsey
Melisa started working at NILMDTS in August 2014 as the Executive Assistant to Gina Harris. She moved from Florida to Colorado in June 2014, with the intentions of starting over and finding something that she was passionate about. NILMDTS provided both a passion for what she loved providing service to others and incorporated her love for photography. NILMDTS has been a blessing to Melisa and she learned that it is okay to talk about her early pregnancy loss of Baby Eddie. Now her family celebrates what memories they have of Baby Eddie and love that they have so many ways to honor their baby! Melisa relocated back to Florida in July of 2015 and was working remotely as the Communications Coordinator. In November of 2015, Melisa became an approved NILMDTS Volunteer Photographer and joined the Central Florida team. She is still currently working for NILMDTS remotely as the Operations Manager and is grateful for the opportunity every day.
Melisa is a wife to her middle school sweetheart, Ross and mother to Jordan (16), Emily 10), Reagan (6), Cole (3). Also a part of her family forever is Dublin (her furry son) and Baby Eddie in Heaven. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, capturing everything she can as they are currently traveling around the country, crafting of any type, and being of service to others any way that she can.
Missy Thomas
Medical Program Manager
Missy Thomas
Rachel Fine
Communications Assistant
Rachel Fine
Rachel began volunteering with NILMDTS during the 2017 Remembrance Walk in Orlando, Florida, which soon developed into becoming a team member in February 2018. Rachel fell in love with helping people when she was a teenager. She was inspired at a summer camp and developed a deep passion for charitable work. This resolve stuck with her through college, leading her to get a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. She is married to her high school sweetheart and together they have two children. Rachel and her family enjoy camping, fishing, biking, going to the beach, Disney World, spending time with friends and her large extended family.
Teresa Robertson
Volunteer Engagement Specialist
Teresa Robertson
Teresa joined Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep in 2015 after a seeking for a unique way to give back to the community using her photography education. Wanting to become more involved in the mission, Teresa has served as a speaker, convention recruiter, volunteer Photographer, MAC Team, Training Team, and DRA Team member. In 2019, Teresa gladly accepted the position of Volunteer Engagement Specialist.
A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, Teresa has a passion for learning and discussing a wide range of art with anyone who will listen. She also owns a business where she specializes in Birth and Newborn Photography, serves as a Doula, and hosts a podcast.
Teresa has served over 40 families in the Maryland / DC area and looks forward to continuing her journey on the island of Oahu. She continues to contribute to her ability thanks to the support of her husband and three children.
Interested in joining the NILMDTS Team? See a full list of available employment opportunities here.