Staff Leaders
As a nonprofit organization, KWA holds in high regard the stewardship entrusted to the agency to manage funds and our team. Our funders and community partners trust us to create safe and accessible programs that best serve our communities. KWA is committed to the best practice in governance, accountability, and transparency. Meet our leadership below.
Interim Executive Director
Peter Ansara
Director, Finance Department
Hwaja Leecomes from a long line of individuals who have dedicated their lives to the service of others. Her grandparents built a church in Korea and passed on that work to her parents and uncle, a commander in the Salvation Army. Following in her parents’ and uncles’ footsteps, she began her 27-year career in social service, starting in Korea and Canada, where she would serve 11 years in the Salvation Army before moving to the United States and working for Upjohn Healthcare, the Multicultural Self-Sufficiency Movement, and, finally, the Korean Women’s Association where over 10 years she has led the Finance Department. Hwaja has seen KWA grow tremendously in her time here and hopes to see even more growth in the future.
Director, Social Services Department
Mi-Yeoung is the social service director at KWA, working directly with the director and managers to develop human services for the underprivileged. Starting KWA’s domestic violence victim services program more than two decades ago, she was instrumental in opening WAFHome, a domestic violence shelter in 2004. She oversees Naturalization, Senior Wellness, Benefits Enrollment, Housing Assistance, Community Education, and resident services for KWA. Mi-Yeoung earned a BA in Journalism & Communication at Ewha Women’s University in Korea and a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling. She taught counseling courses at graduate schools & seminaries. She has also served on the Washington Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Youth With A Mission board. Her passion is to help people, organize systems and infrastructure, and train staff to work as a cohesive team.
Explore: Social Services Programs
Director, Human Resources Department
Coming Soon
Director, In-Home Care Department
Originally from Kansas City, Gregory Schaffer obtained degrees from Arizona State University and the University of Washington (UW). While studying art at the UW, he volunteered with the Youth Program of Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA) in Seattle. After spending two years as an educator in China with the Peace Corps, he returned to helping kids at ReWA for three years. In 2012 he joined the Home Care program of Full Life Care, serving low income seniors and vulnerable adults, Gregory worked as a Supervisor, Hiring Manager, and then as Program Director, through 2021. Gregory also taught photography at UW, Seattle University, and the Kansas City Art Institute. He enjoys cycling, music, making deliveries for the food bank, and learning about Filipino culture. He lives in Seattle with his wife and two children.
