Professionals

With deep experience in the region.

About Us

Westby Associates, Inc. can help your organization think and act strategically. We are one of the leading non-profit consulting firms in the Northwest. Through a wide variety of strategic services, and a custom approach to every client and project, we have generated over $300 million for organizations throughout the Northwest. Our office is located on Officers Row at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

Our Team

Mike Westby CEO

READ: 20 Questions with Mike Westby

BIO: Following a six-year career out of college as an award-winning sports columnist, Mike has logged over 30 years of experience in the development field with a distinct focus on major gifts and strategic fundraising campaigns. Over the years he has represented a diverse group of organizations and missions, including hospitals and healthcare agencies, universities, secondary schools, museums, zoos, aquariums, symphonies, theaters, social service agencies, humane societies, national youth associations, and police associations. Combined, Mike has represented projects that have generated in excess of $300,000,000 (and counting).

Patti Westby President

READ: 20 Questions with Patti Westby

After spending 20 years as a CPA in both the public and private sectors, Patti Westby now uses that experience serving her nonprofit clients and their donors. With a heart for service and her warm and caring personal approach, Patti draws great satisfaction from her involvement with so many nonprofits making huge impacts in their communities.

Michael Wilson Senior Associate

READ: 20 Questions with Mike Wilson

Mike Wilson is our senior associate and resident political expert. With a long history of successful campaign and fundraising work, as well as experience serving in elected office, Mike offers our clients a unique point-of-view and wise counsel. He’s also doggedly determined in his advocacy for local nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. Attend one workshop with Mike and you’ll be amazed by what he can help your organization accomplish.

Kelsey Castrey Associate

READ: 20 Questions with Kelsey Castrey

Kelsey Castrey joined Westby Associates in 2013 as our Special Projects Coordinator and moved to the position of Junior Associate in 2017. Now, an Associate, Kelsey will assume leadership of our special events team. Kelsey’s gentle and willing spirit provides a deep passion for serving others that is evident as she coordinates interviews for various studies and manages special events. She also maintains Westby Associates marketing efforts. Her ability to show leadership, innovation, and partner with organizations to achieve their vision shows her compassion not only for our clients but also for our community.

Beth Ernst Associate

READ: 20 Questions with Beth Ernst

BIO: Beth Ernst has been with Westby Associates since 2018, serving in various positions and capacities on her way to her current position as Associate.

Beth’s combination of organizational skills, strategic thinking, and non-profit leadership experience uniquely qualifies her in this work. Her depth of knowledge with foundations and grant funding, meanwhile, adds a specialized focus to her Associate acumen. Beth brings a wide variety of non-profit experience to complement the variety of clients who partner with Westby Associates.

Beth first realized her passion for working with non-profits while serving at the Staff Volunteer for Brethren Volunteer Service, based in Elgin, IL. After two years assisting with volunteer orientation, mid-year retreats, non-profit project support and general office work, Beth knew her calling was to be involved in non-profits in one way or another. She then moved to the Pacific Northwest and found her niche working at Animal Aid, a local no-kill animal shelter. Here she was an integral part to all operations at the small non-profit, gaining experience in everything from bookkeeping, marketing, and development, to giving insulin to a cat and cleaning a lot of litter boxes! After meeting her (now) husband Beth moved north of the Columbia River and sustained her connection with Animal Aid as a member of the Board of Directors.

In her free time, Beth immerses herself in a wide variety of artistic and creative projects, often enhancing the home she shares with her husband, four rescue cats and dog.

Taylor Rost Junior Associate

READ: 20 Questions with Taylor Rost

Taylor Rost joined Westby Associates as Executive Administrative Assistant in the fall of 2019 and is now our Junior Associate. Her experience in event coordination, attention to detail, and organizational skills combine with her energetic ambition, which support our client and internal needs.