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

Patti Westby trained as a CPA, receiving her license in 1985 after graduating from UCLA, and has practiced in both the private and public sectors for 20 years in California, Washington, and Oregon. During her career, Patti spent several years developing new business and managing client relationships in the private sector, as well as for accounting firms such as Deloitte Touché. Today, Patti has retired from the public accounting field but continues to apply her accounting skills as needed.

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 and moved to the Associate role in 2019. Kelsey specializes in event management, conducts feasibility studies, leads campaigns, and oversees marketing efforts for our firm.

Kelsey’s gentle and willing spirit provides a deep passion for serving others that is evident through her work with nonprofits. 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 communities we serve.

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.

In Memoriam

Mike Wilson
1955 – 2021