Staff- Meet the Team
Rita Ordóñez, Founder
I created Birdsign Consulting in 2015 after more than two decades of non-profit work. My dream was to have a business that helped organizations build community. Over the last 15 years, much of my work has been focused on food justice projects. I am an enthusiastic gardener, cook, hiker, swimmer, and dancer. When I am not working, I enjoy hanging out with my family, reading, and loving up my new cat, PB the Kid. Birdsign Consulting is a family friendly employer that offers a remote only workplace, vacation time, annual bonuses and frequent raises. I am lucky to have an amazing staff that can serve clients with a wide variety of professional skills.
Rob Leatherman, Senior Consultant
Rob began working at Birdsign Consulting in 2018. His primary focus is grant writing. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Rob is a graduate of Northwestern University and has lived in Washington State since 1990. Rob worked for the University of Washington’s Educational Talent Search program for 24 years helping students in Skagit and Snohomish counties apply to college and educating families about financial aid. Rob lives in Granite Falls, WA.
Yolimar Rivera Vázquez, Consultant
Yolimar began working at Birdsign Consulting in 2023. She was born and raised in Borikén (commonly known as Puerto Rico). She moved to Washington to pursue a masters in environmental science. She fell in love with the Cascadia region and decided to stay. Although her academic background was focused on marine science, Yolimar developed her outreach, education, communication and project management skills during her time at Washington State University Extension working with the Latinx/e community and broadly, Snohomish County residents. She later spent half a decade in the nonprofit field as a program manager and food systems equity advocate. Yolimar currently lives in Lynnwood, WA with her spouse and pets; two doodles and a tabby cat. When she’s not at her desk, she enjoys experiencing joy through food, deep relationships, nature-based experiences and healing practices.
Isabela Ordóñez, Senior Assistant
Isabela began working at Birdsign Consulting in 2018. She helps build capacity for the business. Isabela has a BA in Human Services from Western Washington University. She has over 10 years of nonprofit experience in event planning, volunteer coordination, fundraising, board support and marketing. Isabela's interests include spreadsheets, hiking, cooking, gardening, traveling, knitting, video games, collecting new hobbies. Isabela lives in Seattle with her husband and and her 15 year old cat Squeebles Johnson Berg.