United Way is community focused and community led. It is the one organization that thinks and acts both system wide and with individuals. We know our investment in United Way supports people in changing their lives, and supports systems change so that we do better for everyone.

I believe United Way plays a key role in our community and has the power to move the needle in ending the cycle of poverty through a range of strategies. I am excited to bring an entrepreneurial approach to the Board and partner with others to move the organization forward.

Steve Hooper, Jr. is the President of Financial Services at TipHaus. Hooper was the co-founder and CEO for Kigo Kitchen, leading it from inception through the sale to ESR. Prior to co-founding Kigo Kitchen, he was a student at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and worked in the finance and investment banking industries.

The board of directors’ experience and ability to help the community in a meaningful way is incredibly important to me. I am passionate about helping children get the best start possible with the ParentChild+ program and I am honored to be part of this great organization and the good that it does for the community.

I enjoy bringing people together to learn more about how they can help our community. I’m passionate about fighting homelessness and enjoy advocating for United Way’s work and the impact it is having for those experiencing homelessness in King County.

I have always tried to find opportunities to serve in creative and empathic ways. I’ve been encouraged by United Way’s effort in supporting people most impacted by the challenges facing our communities.

I choose United Way because everyone deserves a chance to be lifted up if needed and live in a caring community. That’s what United Way does every day.

United Way is my top choice for serving the community and ensuring everyone has access to resources, quality education, food, and shelter.

I believe in United Way of King County’s mission and values and have seen its profound impact on homelessness, poverty, and inequity. I’m proud to contribute to its vision for a better future for everyone while giving back to our community in the most impactful and sustainable way.

Seeing how big and broad the reach that United Way has in King County has been awe-inspiring for me. There’s no one else who can be on 10 different campuses supporting college students to stay in school—and do it as well as United Way has.

Sean Goode is the founder and CEO of Finding Goode. Goode has been appointed by the governor to the Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice where he serves as the vice-chair addressing statewide issues of the criminalization of adolescent behavior.

Michael Greer is the President & CEO of ArtsFund. As a former professional dancer and experienced executive, Greer’s leadership experience spans both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. He previously held roles as the executive director of Oregon Ballet Theatre and Portland Ballet in Maine.

I have lived in King County my whole life, except for college. I am passionate about providing all our residents fantastic opportunities and enlisting more people within the community to help there. I have been impressed with United Way of King County since I first learned and started contributing in the late 1990s at Microsoft.

Nathan James is a senior vice president at GMMB, a strategic communications firm specializing in social change campaigns. He focuses on early childhood and K-12 education, working with clients that are dedicated to expanding opportunity for all students. James serves on the board of the Washington State Budget and Policy Center.

United Way of King County is by far one of my favorite organizations in the non-profit giving space. The magnitude in which this organization has the power to impact change within a community is encouraging and I’m proud to be a partner in the movement.

Bree Kame’enui is Senior Corporate Counsel at Weyerhaeuser. Kame’enui is a former Trustee of the King County Bar Association and former board member for the Friends of the Educational Opportunity Board within the Office of Minority & Diversity at the University of Washington. Kame’enui current serves as a volunteer with Amara and as a board member with Chief Seattle Club, Inc.

The changes our community, and world, need are big—and it’s going to take all of us. Giving young people a chance to plug into the community and eventually grow their giving and involvement is important for our future success.

My work on the board has given me a much deeper understanding of the needs of our community, the positive impact United Way of King County has and how much further we have to go, particularly regarding racial equity.

I choose to support United Way of King County through volunteerism because of its outstanding dedication to serving communities of color by improving outreach and reducing barriers to access resources. I share United Way’s commitment to serving communities of color and look forward to lending my time and talent to this worthy endeavor.

I truly appreciate and admire the work and leadership of United Way of King County. I look forward to leaning in and supporting the great work that is being done. I hope that I will bring the voice of those we all work together to serve, and hope to serve better, in our conversations and decisions.

Terri Mestas is a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience managing large-scale infrastructure programs spanning space exploration, military installations, anti-terrorism security, and transportation. As Deputy CEO at Sound Transit, she oversees the delivery of the agency’s $75 billion system expansion—the largest transit expansion project in the nation.

The issues of homelessness, poverty and lack of educational opportunity are interconnected. United Way’s approach reflects this. The board is committed to making sure we meet people’s immediate needs and change the systems that cause these issues in the first place.

An experienced executive in the financial services industry, James has been with Deloitte for over 24 years. He’s a proud Western Washington University graduate and is actively engaged in supporting community initiatives through his leadership roles.

United Way of King County is uniquely situated to make a difference in our community. I am proud of United Way’s positive impact and ability to change lives.

In my role at Alaska Airlines, I’m focused on our people and creating a first class workplace for them and their families. I love that with United Way I am able to keep that focus on people, because that is what community is.

We love United Way because the organization embodies our idea of community. We believe that a society which acknowledges interconnectivity as a value and protects the health and happiness of community members as such is where we want to live. We are proud that United Way is committed to that work.

Rachel Smith is the President and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Prior to her Chamber role, she served as Deputy County Executive and Chief of Staff to King County Executive Dow Constantine, as well as serving as Government and Community Relations Officer for the regional transit agency, Sound Transit, and in the administration of former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.

Frances Traisman is a seasoned business leader with deep experience in sales strategy, partnerships, and community engagement. As Senior Vice President of Sales for the Seattle Mariners, Frances oversees revenue generation, strategic initiatives, and fan experience development.

Big problems require big thinking. I am a relentless optimist when it comes to addressing the issues facing our communities, and I am inspired by United Way’s vision to create communities where we all thrive. In my work as a journalist, I am passionate about pursuing truth and telling stories that inform and empower our communities.

I enjoy being a board member of United Way because we can deliver impact at scale. It’s inspiring to be a part of the work and join with such a talented and dedicated group of people. I am excited to have the opportunity for my entire family to give back, together.

Having served United Way as a Board member and as President and CEO, I’m now proud to serve as the lead ambassador for United Way’s Bridging the Wealth Gap campaign. I’m inspired by our community’s strength and resilience, and I’m deeply committed to rallying partners, lifting community voices, and driving the lasting, systemic change King County deserves.

Regina grew up in San Diego, went to high school in Alabama, served as a speechwriting intern for First Lady Hilary Rodham Clinton’s office and led YWCAs in Norfolk, VA and Spokane before being appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to the Washington State Women’s Commission. She brings to United Way more than 20 years of experience in leading nonprofit organizations, empowering staff, developing donor bases and forging community partnerships.

Nadia works cross-org, with staff and volunteers alike, to advance racial equity. With her background, running our board training program for people of color and leading internal efforts to undo institutionalized racism, she embodies what it means to LIVE UNITED.

It’s a pretty special feeling to know that the work that you and your team are doing directly contributes to making a difference for our neighbors, particularly those in traditionally underserved communities.

Elizabeth is an experienced strategic HR leader, results-focused and passionate about centering people, culture, and dismantling systemic racism. Enhancing employee experience while positioning the organization for the future is at the heart of everything Elizabeth does.

We’re currently on the lookout for a visionary leader to help power our mission, grow partnerships, and rally generosity like never before. Stay tuned—our next fundraising rock star is on their way!