End of Life Washington Staff
Alex Gramps, MPA
Co-Executive Director, Operations & Finance
Alex (she/her) has been working at End of Life Washington since June 2020, first as Administrative Services Manager, then as Operations Manager and most recently as Finance & Operations Manager.
She holds an MPA in Public Policy & Governance and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy & Governance and a Bachelor’s in Comparative Literature from Smith College. Alex lives in Des Moines, Washington with her partner and child and a rambunctious German Shepherd dog.
Cassandra Sutherland, MPH
Co-Executive Director, Programs & Services
Cassandra Sutherland (she/they) is a long-time supporter of autonomy and choice. She holds degrees in Global Public Health and International Studies and has worked at End of Life Washington (EOLWA) since 2020. Cassa’s involvement with EOLWA is a result of supporting her father as he faced dementia and was making his own end-of-life decisions. She is passionate that everyone has information and access to end-of-life care — and is consistently in awe of the courage and fortitude of those who show up. Outside of her work, Cassa spends most of her time outdoors and with loved ones.
Daniela Miranda
Community Outreach Manager
Daniela Miranda (she/her/ella) is originally from Costa Rica, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English and TESOL from The University of Costa Rica. She moved to the US in 2011 to get her Ph.D. in English Literature from Washington State University. She graduated in 2015 and taught rhetoric and composition, literature, and cultural humility for several years at WSU.
After attending an outreach event organized by a local anti-violence organization, she felt inspired to join Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse, a non-profit that supports survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes. She spent two years at ATVP as the Coordinator for Crime Victim Services, a role involving a combination of outreach, education, and direct services.
Daniela is passionate about research, education, and empowering individuals from all backgrounds to make informed decisions about their health, relationships, and end-of-life options.
Daniela lives in a small town in Eastern WA with her dog Sadie. In her free time, she loves to knit, cook, and travel.
Jess Kaan, DO, MPH
Medical Director
Dr. Jess Kaan has served as the Medical Director for EOLWA since August 2022. Originally from Salida, Colorado, Dr. Kaan completed her undergraduate studies at Creighton University before earning her medical degree and a master’s in public health at Des Moines University.
She completed her Internal Medicine training at Providence Portland and then dedicated four years to serving as a National Health Service Corps Scholar in Puerto Rico. After returning to the Pacific Northwest in 2016, she joined the Vancouver Clinic as an Internal Medicine Hospitalist. She became aware that her patients in her region lacked access to the Death with Dignity law, because there were no providers willing to act as the prescriber, and this caused her to start volunteering as a medical aid in dying provider in 2017. Her involvement in this work increased when she became part time medical director for EOLWA in 2022, and then full-time medical director in 2024. Dr. Kaan is committed to integrating MAiD into comprehensive end-of-life care in our healthcare system, ensuring that dying patients receive compassionate and person-centered support.
Outside of work, you can find Jess recharging herself in the beautiful Pacific Northwest outdoors, or getting lost in the pages of a book.
Krista Basis
Development & Communications Director
Krista Basis (she/her) attended the University of Massachusetts and School for International Management. She was a Peace Corps volunteer in St. Vincent and later worked as a recruiter and recruitment coordinator for the organization. She’s worked in the non-profit sector as a volunteer coordinator for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and director of communications and special events for the Webb-Waring Institute. As a transplant in Oregon for over 10 years, Krista has worked in development and fundraising with March of Dimes, With Love, Juliette’s House and End of Life Choices Oregon.
Laura Lucas
Data Services Manager
Laura Lucas is a native New Yorker who lived in the Seattle area for 13 years and completed her undergraduate degree there. The pandemic brought her back to New York and completely changed her life.
She has worked as an office manager, administrative assistant, and/or “person who makes lists and organizes things” for most of her professional life.
Outside work she navigates writing, dancing, and caring for her cats, her partner, and a century-old farmhouse. She is happy to be a part of EOLWA to help ensure that everyone can have access to the choices that they need.
Loryn Kezer
Client Services Coordinator
Loryn Kezer (she/her) is a social worker and somatic therapist, with experience in end-of-life care and a background in humanitarian aid. She has held roles in international NGOs, local nonprofits, hospice and healthcare, and social services. Loryn brings an embodied, relational presence to her work with clients and communities navigating complex life experiences. She carries this approach, along with a passionate human rights orientation, into her role at End of Life WA. In her free time, Loryn enjoys sharing good food and laughter with loved ones, spending time in the woods, and continuing to study how healing happens.
Raleigh Hamilton
Volunteer Coordinator
Born and raised in Washington, Raleigh (she/her) has worked supporting cancer care and community arts non profits in a variety of roles.
Her experience as both a cancer survivor and a caregiver has given her a deep passion for patient rights and informed choice, and has grounded her work in compassion and community care.
She lives with her family on an island in the Salish Sea. Outside of work she enjoys reading, music, and hiking in the woods with her beloved scruffy rescue pup, Maeve.
Rebecca Hudson, MA
Client Services Manager
Rebecca (she/her/they) is a long time volunteer with EOLW who is excited to move into a client services role. Rebecca grew up in Chattanooga, TN and lived in San Antonio and NYC before settling in Seattle. She has a Masters degree in Health Advocacy from Sarah Lawrence College, and previously worked in Food justice and as a hospital based patient advocate. She has been a long time believer in patient rights and autonomy, and is passionate about empowering people in their end of life choices. Outside of work Rebecca spends most of her time exploring the circus arts and playing with her 4 cats.