Hi everyone. It has been a long couple of weeks. I don’t think many of us have experienced anything like this before.

​We’ve weathered awful things as a society, but this is something else, a threat not just to our physical health, but our livelihoods, our way of being, our groundedness, and our optimism for the future. 

There are fiduciary responsibilities and liabilities involved with being a board member. 

​It is essential to know and understand them and the directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance coverage.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Deborah Jensen as Executive Director of Audubon Washington.
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Deborah has over 25 years of executive experience leading conservation, education and scientific organizations.

​While CEO at the Woodland Park Zoo she led a successful public-private partnership with the city of Seattle, expanded the zoo’s field conservation programs to 35 projects worldwide, created the zoo’s first sustainability plan, and oversaw the opening of Zoomazium the first Leed Gold certified building at any zoo. 

We are pleased to announce that Paula Sardinas has been appointed as the new CEO and President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound. Paula’s selection comes after a rigorous and inclusive search process facilitated by Ed Rogan of the Valtas Group in partnership with a committee of current and former Board Members led by Vice Chair Maurice James.
 
Paula’s personal connection to their mission, her diverse managerial experience, her background serving youth, and her commitment to equity and diversity make her a perfect fit to lead the next era of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

​Helping to build and execute our next five-year strategic plan, innovate their programs, tighten their connection to the communities they serve, and develop and evolve a staff are but a few of the hats she’ll wear as the new CEO & President. 

We are pleased to announce that Valtas Group client Susan G. Komen® has selected Molly O’Connor as the new executive director.

Molly joins their team from Thrive Washington, where her leadership helped thousands of families connect with vital early childhood information and interventions and brought together dozens of state and local organizations to better coordinate and leverage their efforts to support the state’s youngest children.
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She is a great addition to Komen’s mission of fighting breast cancer and ensuring all communities have access to life-saving early detection and treatment support.

We are pleased to announce Dr. Lisa Chin has been selected as Treehouse’s new CEO.

Lisa previously served as President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of King County and Executive Director of Year Up Puget Sound.

​​Lisa is a visionary with a proven track record as a transformational leader. She’s spent her nonprofit career focused on young people, education equity and systems change work that provides opportunity to those who need it most. She has all the qualities that will benefit the children, youth and young adults in foster care as Treehouse prepares to weather new challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are right in the middle of our communities major fundraising season for nonprofit events. 

With the current COVID-19 crisis, many events are being cancelled or postponed.  Here are key question and answers to consider during a time when large public gatherings are prohibited:

Like many of you, our team is receiving daily updates from businesses and organizations we work with highlighting changes to their business and operating hours, programs, and services.  

​It seems that every other message in my inbox is related to our current crisis.   

Valtas Group is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Lunney has joined our consulting team. 
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​Elizabeth Lunney is an accomplished business and community leader, with deep roots in the outdoors and conservation sectors, where she has helped build and expand the capacity of nonprofits around the country for more than 25 years.

​She leads by listening and empowers those who find their voice. She works collaboratively on road maps to create change, putting into writing the inspiration, ideas, and actions that bring people together.