Executive Director

Pela (pea-lah) S. Terry, Ed.D. brings a professional career to ASC that spans more than 30 years. Her introduction to human services began in the Midwest as a direct support professional and program director for individuals with various developmental/neurodiversity support needs. Upon relocating to New York in September 2001, Dr. Terry engaged in program development, revenue diversification, and expanded contract-based funding initiatives for arts, education, and health services in the NYC area, and later began pro-bono consulting work for several start-up nonprofits. Pela has also served in additional leadership and Board of Director roles with other East Coast nonprofit services for transitional housing and community & youth organizations, including her current role as co-founding Board Director and Executive Committee officer of a nonprofit grass-roots organization in Queens, NY. 

Since 2010, Dr. Terry served in leadership roles overseeing quality and corporate compliance in several government-regulated services, including HCBS Medicaid Waiver supports, for several Hudson Valley Services member organizations in New York State. Prior to relocating to Seattle, she served as the Chief Quality and Compliance Officer/HIPAA Privacy Officer in Middletown, New York. She maintains professional memberships in a variety of associations including the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), the HealthCare Compliance Association, and the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE), the BIPOC ED Coalition, the National Professional Women of Color Network, the [former] Youth Development Executives of King County (YDEKC), and others. In 2021-2022, Pela was selected to be recognized in Marquis Who’s Who in America and later in 2022 was featured in their publication, Who’s Who of Professional Women.  

Pela earned her doctorate degree in executive leadership at the Ralph J. Wilson, Jr. School of Education at St. John Fisher College (Rochester, NY) with a dissertation on pipeline development and succession planning for nonprofit executive leaders. 

Dr. Terry has a strong commitment to promoting advocacy, self-empowerment, and quality of life for at-risk children, youth, and families. She is a collaborator who brings extensive administrative management skills, along with expertise in supporting specialized health/human service programs. Pela has been excited about making Seattle her new home and prioritizes building collaborative relationships with local communities and leaders in the Puget Sound. 

Leadership Team   |   Board of Directors   |   Staff