Meet the Spark the Fire Team!
ALLISON JONES
CEO & FOUNDER
Allison has an M.Ed. in Adult Education, a B.A. in Psychology, and decades of grant writing experience. Allison instructs all the courses, develops the curriculum, and provides student support. Allison enjoys being outside, whether hiking or gardening, singing and playing guitar, and spending time with her husband, daughter, sons, and labrador puppy.
PETE WELCH
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Pete has a background in event management and promotion. He is responsible for community outreach and engagement and for developing new partnerships. Pete loves listening to music, driving fast cars, and spending time outdoors.
SONJA PRINGLE
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
A Washington native, Sonja has a BA in English and Education from Washington State University. Passionate about community service and philanthropy, she obtained a grant writing certificate from Spark the Fire Grant Writing. Currently based in Seattle, Sonja also serves as a substitute teacher for the Mercer Island School District and Bellevue High School. She enjoys spending time with her cat, Mochi, and friends around the city.
HANISHA BAKSHANI
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Hanisha is a grant writer and independent consultant. She has a BA in Psychology from R. D. National College and is the Volunteer Ambassador Lead for Northshore Schools Foundation. Hanisha obtained a Certificate in Grant Writing from Spark the Fire Grant Writing Classes and a Natural Leaders Trainer Academy Certification for the Washington Alliance for Better Schools. She also has a 2nd-degree black belt in martial arts.
hanisha@sparkthefiregrantwriting.com
HANNAH ELZIG
GRANT WRITER
Hannah graduated from the University of Washington in 2021 with a BA in International Studies and Political Science and received her Certificate in Grant Writing from Spark the Fire in 2022. She started her freelance grant writing business in 2024 to support community organizations and changemakers to secure the funding they need to thrive. Her passion is creating social change through the power of words. She enjoys reading, connecting with nature, spending time with people and animals she loves, painting and collaging, and traveling. She lives, works, and plays in Seattle, WA.
ALBERTO MORENO
GRANT WRITER
Alberto Moreno is a dedicated grant writer, committed to helping organizations secure crucial funding through well-researched and detail-oriented grant proposals. With a focus on supporting community-driven initiatives, Alberto brings a keen attention to detail and a passion for making a meaningful impact. Eager to continuously expand his expertise, he is dedicated to contributing to the success of his clients through thoughtful and strategic grant writing.
COURTNEY BIRD
GRANT WRITER
Courtney is a skilled grant writer who leads with curiosity and a deep love of storytelling. Her professional experience includes cataloguing and marketing high value artifacts for public and private sale at Sotheby’s Special Projects Department, where she was also responsible for building client relationships and project management. She has taught young writers at the University of Montana and at Hugo House in Seattle, and has worked as director and head coach for competitive lacrosse programs, an experience that has shaped her approach to team dynamics built on trust and a shared mission. She has an MFA in Fiction from the University of Montana and a BA in art history from Princeton University. She loves biking, hiking, gardening, writing, and looking for orcas. In her free time, you can find her exploring the forests and beaches of the South Sound with her family.
courtney@sparkthefiregrantwriting.com
SARAH CHROSNIAK
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Sarah Chrosniak is a mother of four living in rural Virginia. She's a writer, photographer, and hip-hop lover. She enjoys nature journaling, homeschooling her kids, and running a veggie and flower farm. She graduated from MTSU with a double BS in the Recording Industry and Journalism and is currently a candidate for an MFA in Creative Nonfiction at Bay Path University. Sarah's worked with various clients over the years and is passionate about supporting others to do the greater good. She serves on a board for conservation burial and can be found in record stores across America
sarah@sparkthefiregrantwriting.com