FamilyWorks recently announced that Marcia Wright-Soika will become their new Executive Director.
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Although FamilyWorks’ operations and services are not back to normal due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, there will be opportunities for you to meet Marcia as she embarks as FamilyWorks new Executive Director in the months ahead.  

​The FamilyWorks Board of Directors empowered a Succession Committee to lead a rigorous search process with support from Valtas Group and in collaboration with staff. Marcia emerged as the ideal leader for FamilyWorks. 

The Board of Directors of Launch recently announced they had selected Angela Griffin as the next Executive Director.

Angela said, “I believe every child has a special purpose. It is our responsibility to intentionally and diligently cultivate and build their potential so they can fully thrive in life and in community. This starts with ensuring children, youth, and families have equitable access to high quality early learning and school age enrichment experiences. We are uniquely positioned to serve our community during a pandemic that has both exposed the fragility of the childcare industry and how essential childcare is to the rebuilding of our economy.”

Angela joins the Launch team as a visionary and inspirational leader with over 27 years of experience, primarily focused on the development and implementation of early learning, childcare and youth development programs. ​

Valtas Group is pleased to announce that Sylvia Fuerstenberg has joined our consulting team. 

​Sylvia Fuerstenberg is a strategic, visionary leader with 33 years of Executive leadership experience, excelling in a broad range of human services endeavors; from juvenile rehabilitation, wilderness adventure programs for delinquents, inner-city programs for teens in NYC, youth services and homeless young adults in the Northwest.  

​Sylvia excels at guiding organizations through challenging transitions, specializing in organizational assessment and capacity building for the future leadership of the organization.  

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.

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.

Valtas Group is pleased to announce that Laura Skelton has joined our consulting team. ​

Laura has served the Seattle nonprofit sector for the past 13 years, including as a full-time employee, a consultant, and a board member. Laura has deep experience in leading organizations through transition and in recovering from financial difficulties. In addition, Laura is a gifted manager of people and actively encourages her staff’s growth and development. Laura is currently working primarily as an Interim Executive Director and enjoys meeting the challenges that leadership often brings.