ProfileVisit your profile page Facilitator LoginSign in as a member to access your Facilitator resources  |  Your OrderManage your existing order  |  Your CourseLogin to your
online course

Circle of Security Operations Team

Meet Our Operations Staff (Alphabetical Order)

picture of Kayla Balholm

Kayla Balholm
Online COSP Host

Kayla joined COSI in 2021 as an online host. She has a background in social work, a passion for full spectrum life work from birth to death, and an especially tender heart space for supporting new parents in their experience of early parenthood. In addition to her role at COSI, Kayla also works as a birth and postpartum doula.

When not working, Kayla enjoys adventuring outdoors, travelling to new places, listening to music, nourishing others with good food, and connecting with loved ones.


picture of Alisha Bartlett

Alisha Bartlett
Online COSP Host

Alisha joined COSI in 2020 as an online host. She is grateful to raise her family in the beautiful pacific northwest. Over the past five years she has worked for several non profit organizations facilitating COSP groups. In addition to her role at COSI, Alisha also works as a birth doula and childbirth educator.

When not working Alisha enjoys reading, listening to music and spending time with her family.


picture of Bill Bloom

Bill Bloom
Senior Operations Manager

Bill joined Circle of Security International in February of 2014. He graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with degrees in English Literature and Fine Arts. Bill has worked in a wide variety of small business settings, usually involved in creating systems and keeping clients happy. For COSI, Bill helps coordinate all of the trainings and is the main point of contact for sponsors.

When not at his desk, Bill can be found spending time with his wife and daughter, outside running and cycling, or down in his basement working on his letterpress.


picture of Andy Cook

Andy Cook
Digital Media Producer

Andy has worked for COSI, helping out in busy times, on and off since 2011. He began as the Accounts Administrator in November 2013. In 2017, Andy became our Digital Media Producer, utilizing his degrees in music production from Spokane Falls Community College and in Broadcast and Electronic Media Studies from Gonzaga University.

When not working, Andy enjoys playing music, woodworking, and spending time with his wife and daughters.


picture of Angela Dierdorff

Angela Dierdorff
Office Manager

Angie joined COSI in October 2015 as our Office Administrator. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with a Theater minor from Eastern Oregon University. Angie has worked for various non-profit organizations in communication and event coordination, and spent the last five years working as a bookkeeper. Among other responsibilities for COSI, including editing the website, Angie works to make sure your many inquiries are responded to in an accurate and timely manner.

In her spare time, Angie volunteers for her son's high school, writes for local publications, performs in area theater productions, and looks after the chickens, cats, rabbit, dog and boys with whom she shares a home.


picture of Amy Eury

Amy Eury
Online COSP Host

Amy joined COSI in May 2022 as an online host. She graduated from Purdue University receiving a BS in Individual and Family Development with an emphasis in Child Development. Her past work experiences provided her with opportunities to help support children, families and teachers access services and reach individualized developmental goals in a variety of settings. She is a registered COSP facilitator and works part time offering COSP and COS Classroom Approach.

Amy and her husband live in North Carolina with their two teenage daughters. They enjoy spending time at the beautiful Crystal Coast in North Carolina and never pass up an opportunity to spend time on their boat.


picture of Josef Fairbanks

Josef Fairbanks
Media Specialist and Online Host

Joe joined the Operations Team in 2020. He earned his BA in Film & Media Studies and Government from Dartmouth College in 2017. Joe's principal duties are to host online trainings, create and manage digital media content, and maintain the Circle of Security Learning Management System.

In his free time, Joe enjoys filmmaking, paddling canoes, fishing, and dog training.


picture of Rachel Fink

Rachel Fink
Bilingual Online COSP Host

Rachel joined the COSP team in April 2022. She is a registered COSP facilitator. She fell in love with COSP because it connects her to the guidance and teaching she provided her students and their parents to strengthen their relationship. She strongly believes that a young child needs a loving, nurturing and secure environment in order to thrive. Besides being an early childhood educator for 14 years and COSP facilitator, she has also worked in the health and technology fields.

When Rachel is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 27 years, their son and their two daughters. As a family they enjoy traveling, going to the beach and fishing. Rachel also enjoys going cycling with her two daughters.


picture of Michael Kirk

Michael Kirk
Shipping Coordinator

Michael joined COSI in March 2021 as Shipping Coordinator and Online Training Host. Michael grew up in South Carolina near the Appalachians and still makes time for the great outdoors. He earned a BA from the Pontifical College Josephinum in both Philosophy and Classical Languages with a Minor in Spanish Language and Hispanic Studies. Michael later earned a Masters in Systematics from Saint Vincent College. Between degrees, he also completed an immersion program with CIRIMEX in Guadalajara. He uses his language skills to translate Spanish for COSI (and sometimes Latin).

Michael is married to a local psychologist and has a 5-year-old daughter who’s wild about cheetahs. Before COSI Michael spent 15 years working with youth and families for church communities and has also worked in tech, education, and administration. In his spare time you could find him scribbling notes for a new article or story, reading a good book, or picking out a tune on his banjo.


portrait of Erin Smith

Erin Smith
Online COSP Host

Erin Smith joined COSI in September of 2022 as an Online Training Host. She has an A.A. with certificates in Communications and Peace Studies from Spokane Community College. She previously worked in the non-profit sector as a development manager and is an avid organizer, communicator, and people-person. She also spends time volunteering at her children’s school on the PTA. Erin uses the Circle of Security in her parenting and is excited to help people gain access to the COSI model as an Online Host.

Erin recently moved back to her home state of California after spending 30 years in the Pacific Northwest. When she’s not working, she can be found spending time with her husband and three kids, as well as their two dogs. She loves swimming, listening to podcasts, spending time outside, and trying out local restaurants.


picture of Kristine Songhurst

Kristine Songhurst
Training Coordinator

Kristine Songhurst joined COSI in September 2018. She grew up in Alaska and earned a B.A. in History with a Minor in Dance from UAA. She has worked in multiple areas from health, retail, and education. Most recently, she worked alongside her husband, helping grow his business. As a mom of 2, she also volunteers on the PTO Board of her children's school.

Both Kristine and her husband have been practicing COS Parenting at home with their daughters since 2011. Her interests include parenting, psychology and personal growth. In her spare time, you'll find her enjoying family life, cooking, reading, writing and dancing at Zumba classes.


picture of David Ward

David Ward
Webmaster

David joined Circle of Security International in November of 2017. He graduated from the University of Washington attaining a degree in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing. After returning from a 7-year stint as an English teacher in Taiwan, David went on to study Computer Science at Oregon State University. He now works to maintain and improve the Circle of Security website in addition to tackling general IT challenges as they arise.

When he's not at work, David enjoys reading, programming, and getting outdoors.