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Our Team
The People Behind Your Benefits
Small by design. When you work with Ahola Benefits, you work directly with the people whose names are on the door.
Nicole Ahola
President & Senior Benefit ConsultantNicole founded Ahola Benefit Consultants in 2017 with a simple belief: benefits work best when they’re personal. She helps Washington employers design benefit packages that fit their people and their budget, so they can attract and keep the employees they count on most.
Nicole grew up right here in Washington State, where she got her start working at Costco. She spent a decade there, working her way from the Federal Way warehouse floor to the Costco.com corporate offices, all while earning her business degree from the University of Washington. Costco taught her what it really looks like to take care of employees and customers, and in 2007 she brought that conviction into health insurance. (Ask her about the career change sometime. It’s a good story about overcoming setbacks.)
Nicole and her husband Jordan live in Central Washington, where they spend their time with family, in the outdoors, and serving their community. She volunteers regularly and has served on several local boards.
We have a responsibility to use our time and talents to make a positive impact on our corner of the world. You matter, and what you do matters.
Emma Strick
Account ManagerEmma has been part of the Ahola Benefit Consultants team since 2020. As an Account Manager, she guides clients through every step of the employee benefits process. From the initial sale to renewal and everything in between, she is there to make sure your employees fully understand and actually use their benefits.
Emma grew up in Enumclaw, Washington, and went to college at Central Washington University. She graduated in the middle of COVID and decided to pivot from her original career plans, working her college job at a local fruit stand until she landed at ABC. Her years in the service industry taught her how much employee retention matters to a small business.
Emma and her husband Jason live in Ellensburg, where she spends her time camping, gardening, and reading (she’s rarely without a book). She’s passionate about animals and presides over her own island of misfit toys: rescue dogs Bailey and Bernie, and rescue cat Binx, who run her world. You may even hear them in the background of a call, since they’re attached at her hip all day, every day.
Ashley Armstrong-Ahola
Account ManagerAshley started with Ahola Benefit Consultants when the company was first starting up in 2018. She has been with us through our years of growth. Using the knowledge she has gained over the years she has become one of the Account Managers who serves as a primary point of contact for clients. She works to ensure clients have the right coverage for their needs while providing ongoing support and coordinating with insurance carriers on our client’s behalf.
Ashley was born and raised here in the Pacific Northwest and currently resides in Bonney Lake with her husband and 2 children. She is an avid sports mom and enjoys spending time with her family and traveling whether that is a simple spur of the moment road trip or a well thought out vacation.
Creating value through knowledge, connection, and service.
Miranda McCormick
Sales ConsultantMiranda believes employee benefits should feel personal- not overwhelming. She partners with small and mid-sized businesses to create customized benefits strategies that fit their unique goals, helping employers navigate their options with confidence while supporting the people who make their businesses successful.
Miranda joined the team in October of 2025 with more than a decade of leadership and customer service experience; Miranda understands the challenges business owners face because she’s spent years leading teams and putting people first. Her passion for building lasting relationships, simplifying complex topics, and delivering personalized guidance allows her to serve as a trusted resource long after the initial conversation.
When she’s not working with clients, Miranda enjoys spending time with her partner Trevor, cheering on her daughters, volunteering with her local fire department’s Auxiliary, and exploring everything Central Washington has to offer. She believes that serving her community- both professionally and personally- is one of the most rewarding parts of what she does.
Megan Whittaker
Office Administrator
Megan supports Ahola Benefits Consultants by keeping client information accurate, organized, and up to date. She helps ensure that every consultant has what they need to deliver smooth, timely service.
Before joining ABC, Megan spent several years as an administrative assistant for the Washington State Department of Transportation, where she built the organizational and client‑service skills she relies on today. She later stepped away to be a stay‑at‑home mom, a chapter that strengthened her ability to multitask, prioritize, and support others with patience and clarity.
Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, whether exploring local trails or relaxing at the river. She’s rooted in the Pacific Northwest and loves any chance to make a connection.
Backed by a bigger bench
Beyond our core team, ABC clients tap a vetted statewide network of specialists — COBRA and FSA/HSA administrators, HR consultants, payroll providers, retirement advisors, and Medicare experts — through our Professional Connector.