Executive Leadership Team

Gene Boes, President & CEO
Gene Boes joined Northwest Center as CEO in 2018, after serving on the Northwest Center Board of Directors for three years. Previously, Boes was a management consultant serving as Principal for the Seattle office of the North Highland Company. In addition to his consulting duties, Gene also served as an Adjunct Professor at Seattle Pacific University and Seattle University, and is a Mentor for the Albers School of Business. Prior to joining North Highland, he was Managing Director at Loft9 Consulting, a Bellevue-based Management Consulting Firm. His career also includes nearly 14 years at Microsoft, two years with Deloitte Consulting, and nine years serving as a Naval Flight Officer in the US Navy.

​Throughout his career, Gene has been an active participant in community and non-profit organizations, and served on the Board of Directors for Cure Autism Now, prior to their merger with Autism Speaks. Gene and his wife June are parents of two adult children: son Andrew and daughter Tori. Tori, who has autism, is also a client of Northwest Center Employment Services.
Robyn Brown, Chief Development Officer
Robyn Brown joined Northwest Center as Chief Development Officer in 2018. She is charged with laying the foundation for philanthropic sustainability while building out an impending capital campaign.

Brown’s passion for helping underserved individuals achieve their potential led her to leave the corporate sector in 2006; she has been working to create social change ever since. Her nonprofit experience spans from program development to strategic planning, building a social enterprise, and advising nonprofit startups.

Most recently, Brown served as CDO for Big Brothers Big Sisters Puget Sound, where she co-led the process for the five-year organizational strategic plan, created new funding strategies that helped the organization to recover from financial downturn, achieve 12% growth, and strengthen its impact. She also served on the national rebrand task force for the 115-year-old brand.

Brown earned a BA in Communications from California State University Fullerton, holds a fund development certification, and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She and her husband have two children and are active leaders in the community.
Sterling Adlakha, Chief Financial Officer
Sterling Adlakha joined Northwest Center in spring 2020. His more than 20 years of combined Coast Guard service, Master’s-level education, and experience as a C-level executive in the Maritime industry has shaped his greatest strengths: capital market transactions, financial analysis, investor relations, and business process refinement. His dedication to financial excellence is evident in his repeated implementation of process upgrades throughout his private-sector career, especially in times of financial uncertainty and organizational change. Currently, he leads Northwest Center’s Accounting, FP&A, IT and legal departments with goals to develop best-in-class operational support and foster the growth of the organization.

When he’s not at work, Sterling enjoys sailing, mountain biking, and skiing with his wife and two active kids. He earned his Master of Business Administration at Georgetown University, as well as the Karl F. Landegger Honors Certificate in International Business Diplomacy, in 2005.  He was awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2010 and is a two time winner of the #1 ranking from Institutional Investor for Investor Relations Professional.
Emily Miller, Chief People Officer
Emily joined the staff in 2008 and was promoted in 2009 to the Executive Team and to Vice President in 2010. Emily is responsible for the full spectrum of Human Resources, including compensation and benefits administration, recruiting and employee relations. Emily also focuses on staff training and ensures that we are in compliance with government contracts.

Prior to joining Northwest Center, Emily worked as an HR Generalist at CyberSource Corporation in Bellevue. She served as the main point of contact for staff members, providing guidance and support regarding HR policies, procedures, processes and services. Emily also worked as an HR Generalist at AMEC Earth & Environmental in Kirkland, where she assisted ten U.S. office locations and 800 staff members during her seven years with the company. Emily earned a BA in Society Ethics and Human Behavior form the University of Washington. She also holds a Human Resources Certification and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and World at Work.
Laura Kneedler, Chief Education & Therapy Officer
Laura joined Northwest Center in 2013 as the Director of one of our Early Learning programs and was promoted to her role as Vice President of Northwest Center Kids in 2016. She leads a talented team of nearly 100 teachers, therapists, and support staff to serve over 600 children annually. Through programs of early intervention therapy and inclusive early education, Laura and her team provide a comprehensive approach to ensure the inclusion of children with special needs in the classroom, community, and home setting. She led the charge of relocating our school in Queen Anne to its new home in Greenwood and is passionate about giving children with disabilities the best possible start in life by providing continual support and advocacy to the children and families enrolled in our programs.

With over 14 years of experience, Laura has worked in a variety of settings including public schools, therapeutic child care centers, and as an early childhood classroom teacher for over 10 years. Laura holds a BS in Education/Health & Human Development from Montana State University and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Concordia University, as well as a certification in infant and toddler development.