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.

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.

If you really want to make an impact on the challenges facing our community, United Way is the right place to do it.

Brent Beardall is the Chief Executive Officer at Washington Federal. When he stepped into that role in July 2016, he became only the sixth President of Washington Federal. His motto is simple but focused. Love what you do. Make a difference.

Kate leads Microsoft Philanthropies, a global, multi-disciplinary team that brings together corporate social responsibility, sales and engineering functions to help drive inclusive economic growth. In addition to her work with United Way, Kate serves on the board of Titletown Tech, Generation Unlimited (UNICEF) and is a member of the CARE Corporate Council.

Carmen Best served with the Seattle Police Department for 30 years retiring in 2020 and is currently Director of Global Security Risk Operations at Microsoft. She serves on the Trustee Board for Lakeside School, the Visit Seattle Advisory Board and the National Law Enforcement Exploring Committee. Best is also the Leadership Council Chair for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Seattle and serves on the St. Jude Advisory Council for Seattle.

I have been impressed with United Way’s approach. Seeing how they test programs, innovate, learn and then take what works and make that as far reaching as the need is has been inspiring to see.

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’ve tried to do my share of pro bono representation, including several death-row inmates, free speech cases, gay and immigrant rights, and other constitutional cases because I am committed to helping make sure people get a fair shot.

United Way of King County brings out the best for and in all of our communities. Together we uplift all of our sisters and brothers, and the world becomes the joyful place where our neighbors thrive alongside us.

Sean Goode is the executive director of nonprofit CHOOSE 180 that works to decriminalize youthful behavior by elevating the transformative power of grace and through the creation of alternatives to the criminal legal system. 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.

Craig Gryniewicz joined PACCAR in 2007 and was elected PACCAR Inc. Vice President and President of PACCAR Financial Corp. in February 2019. He has been active with United Way of King County, successfully chairing PACCAR’s annual employee giving campaign and serving on the United Way of King County Fundraising Cabinet for four years.

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.

Steve Hooper, Jr. is the President of Ethan Stowell Restaurants (ESR). 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.

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.

Tiffany Johnson is a Program Manager at Amazon, where she helps businesses scale and grow on Amazon stores. She spearheaded Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator, a $150 million investment to support black-owned businesses. Johnson is also the Founder and CEO of Moozii, a brand that provides feminine care, wellness and beauty products, with a special focus on creating equal access and awareness about more sustainable products for all women.

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.

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.

Bo Lee works as a trusted advisor to private clients and foundations to deliver customized wealth management solutions utilizing the extensive array of services available at BNY Mellon as the Vice President of Wealth Management. With over 20 years of experience in the wealth management industry, Lee has built deep relationships with clients and professional advisors.

I am inspired to serve on the board of United Way of King County and further their work of working towards a racially just community where ALL people thrive.

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.

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.

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.

Carol Nelson served as a Strategic Advisor and Director to startup FinTech Monzo Inc. and US CEO from 2019 to 2022. Prior to joining Monzo, Nelson was a top executive at KeyBank and served as Agency Director and CEO of the Department of Revenue for the State of Washington where she was a member of the Governor’s Executive Cabinet.

Peter Orser is best known for his work with Quadrant Homes where he served for almost 25 years, helping to make Quadrant Washington’s leading homebuilder, serving as President of the Company from 2003 through 2010. In October of 2010 he assumed the role of President and CEO of the Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Company where he oversaw five different homebuilding operations across the Country.

Eduardo M. Peñalver is the President of Seattle University. Professor Peñalver previously served as the John P. Wilson Professor of Law at the University of Chicago Law School and taught at Cornell Law School and at Fordham Law School. He has also been a visiting professor at Harvard Law School and Yale Law School. He was the Allan R. Tessler Dean from 2014 to 2021, serving as the first Latino dean of an Ivy League law school.

Eric Pettigrew is the VP of Government Relations and Outreach at Seattle Kraken. Prior to this he served in the Washington State House of Representatives, working to promote economic development, create new affordable housing and expand educational opportunities.

Our family cares deeply about education. United Way’s work to help low-income college students complete a degree or certification helps break the cycle of poverty for so many.

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.

I’ve found my volunteer experience with United Way incredibly rewarding. Having the chance to bring different people, companies and organizations together to launch a new program that helps prevents evictions has been a highlight and something I’m proud to have been a part of.

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.

I 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. I am 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.

I absolutely love how United Way is listening to and lifting up the voices from the communities we are serving. Those closest to the challenges best know the solutions.

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 know what a difference education can make—and how many obstacles there are for people to finish school, particularly for students of color. I’m passionate about United Way’s Bridge to Finish and supporting college students so they can focus on graduating.

I believe that real change happens at the public policy level. Working with United Way to influence changes at the state level that directly benefit our community has been my favorite part about serving on the board.

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.

I’m inspired by the generosity of our region, and I am firmly committed to meeting the immediate needs of our neighbors in the community and to change the systems that create or perpetuate these inequities.

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.

Chris’s creative agency background and commitment to social justice shape her leadership. From systemic change to front-line volunteering, her fresh ideas influence the communications and strategy of the team.

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.

Sara leads the team charged with grant making, public policy, planning and volunteer engagement. Her prior roles in leadership at the City of Seattle and two direct service nonprofits make for strong relationships throughout the community.

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.

Carolyn works closely with the CEO and the rest of the Senior Leadership Team to enhance the delivery of the organization’s strategic goals. As well as leading organization-wide strategic projects and initiatives, Carolyn oversees board operations and relations

Since 2001, Erica has championed cross-departmental collaboration at United Way and helped people live their values through philanthropy. She is an active volunteer and a strong community voice in the work to fight homelessness in King County.