Board Members
About Michelle Shaw
About Pilar Dowell
An accomplished art director and graphic designer, Pilar Dowell has been designing marketing materials for Northwest Special Families events since she joined the board in 2009. For over 25 years she has been working for companies such as Disney, and she says she has found her creative contributions to NSF to be the most rewarding. Pilar has also served on planning committees for Special Santa, Can Do, and Mom’s Spa Night.
Pilar and her husband, Robert, are the parents of 19-year-old twins Kevin and Chris, and 15-year-old Alex. All three sons are in the autism spectrum, and Pilar and Robert continue to learn patience and to expect the unexpected. NSF has helped them cross many challenging bridges. Pilar also credits NSF with giving her family more compassion and respect as they walk with other families who face similar or more difficult challenges. She is dedicated to helping develop social opportunities, and to advocating social inclusion, for children with special needs.
Prior to moving to Washington to be closer to extended family, Pilar was born and raised in El Salvador and was a long-time resident of Southern California. She is passionate about traveling both in the U.S. and abroad, and takes her sense of humor everywhere she goes.
About Amy Young
About Rachel Borrella
About Naphtali Carlson
Naphtali Carlson