HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB
2024 BOARD MEMBERS
HPIC is a volunteer-driven non-profit and the Board is no exception. All Board members are unpaid neighbors working to ensure the continued viability of HPIC for the good of our neighborhood.
Board Meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7pm.
President: Rhonda Smith | Board Member since 2007
Vice President: Amy Durgin | Board Member since 2024
Amy joined the Highland Park community in June of 2023. While exploring the trails at West Cress Park she saw a sign for volunteering with the HPIC and immediately reached out. Shortly after, she helped coordinate and set up the Trick Or Trees Halloween pet costume contest and free tree give-away. She also started joining the Thursday night gatherings at the Highland Park Corner Store. Neighbors were welcoming and friendly and she quickly started to see familiar faces between HPIC and the Corner Store gatherings. The community feel was immediate and she knew she wanted to get involved even more. Listening to HPIC members reminisce about the memories and relationships they’ve built through the community has been something truly special. While still a new member of the community, Amy is excited to build relationships and to support the continued growth of the HPIC. Apart from the club, Amy is a leadership coach and change management specialist. She enjoys spending time with her dog, Brock, working on her new home, and swimming or bicycling as much as possible.
Rachel has lived in Highland Park since 2006. She has loved the HP spirit and the strong connections people feel to this neighborhood. Rachel’s background is working in Finance and Operations with a local LGBTQ+ nonprofit, GSBA. She is excited to work with this team to help rebuild the HPIC home. She and her family look forward to meeting even more neighbors at future community activities.
Secretary: Adrien Demelier | BOARD MEMBER SINCE 2024
Having visited Highland Park for over a decade to see family, Adrien finally made the neighborhood home three years ago. Throughout the years, he has experienced the vibrant community spirit, especially during the New Year events and the memorable Reset Fest—a music festival in the park across the street that showcased the power and unity of HPIC. As a new board member, Adrien is eager to foster community engagement and enrich the lives within this neighborhood. Professionally, he is a data scientist specializing in cybersecurity at Travelers Insurance. Whether planning the next big community event or unfortunately analyzing data trends, Adrien is committed to making Highland Park a connected and amazing place to live.
Trustee: Julie Schickling | Board Member since 2008
Trustee: Kay Kirkpatrick | Board Member since 2008
Trustee: Nickie Jostol | Board Member since 2009
Trustee: Billy Stauffer | Board Member since 2014
Trustee: Galen Van Horn | Board Member since 2024
Galen has loved living in Highland Park since 2021. He grew up cooking alongside his mother, who taught him how to bring people together over food. He worked as a professional baker for nearly 10 years, pursuing a passion for creative recipes and the “magic” (science) of fermentation. He’s led seed-to-table culinary education programs for middle-school students and worked in social sector consulting, supporting change management and strategic planning. He currently manages the Washington State Local Food System Infrastructure grant, investing in local food supply chain capacity for our vibrant small farm and food business entrepreneurs. He’s a twin dad, an avid gardener, a board game nerd, and an amateur trumpet player.
Alex has lived in Highland Park since 2020. He joined the HPIC board with more than 13 years of nonprofit experience, both as an employee and volunteer. Originally from the Great Plains of Nebraska, Alex tries to embody the well known midwestern friendliness, and is thrilled at the community around HPIC. These days he likes to hike in the summer and cook in the winter. If you see him walking through the neighborhood with his Doberman Pinscher, Lincoln, be sure to say hello!
Trustee: Nick Montrond | Board Member since 2024
Silva moved to Highland Park in 2009 and started volunteering at HPIC soon after as she was excited to meet new people, participate in the club activities and help in organizing events for the local community. In 2024 she joined the HPIC board to work with the other members in rebuilding the club, so it can resume the events and activities beloved by the community, and add new ones which the new modern club would be able to offer. Silva also enjoys dancing and walks in nature.
Trustee: Emily Schauer | Board Member since 2024
Emily Schauer has lived in the neighborhood since 2016. She first experienced HPIC through the Corner Bar and holiday markets and was immediately drawn to the community that HPIC cultivates. Emily joined the Board in 2024 to support marketing and communications efforts, ensuring that HPIC is strongly connected to that community. For over a decade Emily has led communications for businesses going through moments of inflection. She grew up in the Pacific Northwest and returned here with her partner after their Peace Corps service. In her free time, Emily loves to try new creative outlets, go on public transit adventures with her two young kids, tend her garden, and generally be outside with friends.
Trustee: Adam Tageldin | Board Member since 2024
Adam excitedly moved to the neighborhood in 2020, less than a month after the birth of his first child. After working in marketing and communications for over a decade, Adam and his (future) wife left the rat race of New York City to travel abroad for a few years before ultimately landing in Seattle. Now firmly planted, raising two young kids in Highland Park, Adam joined the board to support marketing and communications efforts for HPIC and hopes to continue giving back to the community he now calls home. Adam enjoys exploring new areas of Seattle, finding different ways to be active with the family, jamming to salsa classics, and rooting for his favorite NY teams.