Sep. 30, 2009 (Business Wire) -- At its annual meeting yesterday, Washington Women’s Foundation members elected three new board directors and re-elected three current directors to a new term beginning Jan. 1, 2010.
Joining the Washington Women’s Foundation board in January as new directors will be:
Grace Chien, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Western Washington; board member of Executive Alliance and Seattle Rotary #4; Governor appointee on the Washington State Commission for National and Community Service.
Laura Midgley, former chair of the foundation’s Grant Committee and Committee Cabinet; vice president of the board of Child Care Resources; president of the Parent Council at University Prep.
Judith Runstad, of counsel at Foster Pepper, LLC; board member of Wells Fargo and Potlatch Corporation; past chair of Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Seattle Association and United Way of King County Campaign.
“Grace, Laura and Judy are distinguished leaders who have made many meaningful contributions to our community,” said Rhoda Altom, Washington Women’s Foundation board chair. “We are fortunate to have such an accomplished trio join our board and help guide the strategic direction and priorities of the foundation.”
Re-elected to new three-year terms are: Mary Ann Ekman, treasurer and chair of the foundation’s Finance Committee, and principal at Ekman Law, PLLC; Anne Farrell, vice chair of the board, chair of the Governance Committee, president emeritus of The Seattle Foundation, board chair of REI, trustee of Seattle University and board member KCTS 9; and Carol Lewis, chief executive officer of Philanthropy Northwest and board member of Seattle Parks Foundation and Nesholm Family Foundation.
Washington Women’s Foundation members submitted nominations for the new directors. A slate of candidates was approved by the board in August and then voted on by the membership. Seventeen directors will serve on the foundation board in 2010. For a complete listing of board members, visit the foundation’s website.
At yesterday’s annual meeting, President Carla Lewis presented an overview of the organization’s 2008 financial performance, community impact and key milestones. “2008 was a year of renewal and achievement at Washington Women’s Foundation,” she told members. “In the face of a challenging economic environment, a leadership transition and increasing community need, our membership and giving levels reached new heights.”
Washington Women’s Foundation will commit nearly $900,000 in pooled and individual grants to local nonprofits in 2009. Through the foundation’s collective giving model – in which members combine their giving dollars to make a major impact – five nonprofit organizations have been designated this year to receive pooled grants of $87,500 or $100,000.
About Washington Women’s Foundation
The mission of Washington Women’s Foundation is to educate and expand the number of women engaged in philanthropy, and to build and strengthen community through individual and large impact grants. The foundation’s members, now more than 500 strong, have invested $9.3 million of their own resources in nonprofit organizations across Washington State since 1996 ($4.7 million in pooled grants; $4.6 million in individual grants). Membership is open to all women interested in philanthropy. For more information, visit www.wawomensfoundation.org.
