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 community's 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.

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.

We are pleased to announce Lauren Sato has been selected as Ada Developers Academy’s new CEO.

Lauren recently served as Vice President of Revenue at The Riveter.  In addition to a variety of roles in technology and impact investing organizations, Lauren spent five years building YearUp Puget Sound, a workforce development program that served as a model for Ada in the early days.  

​​Lauren was selected after considering candidates who represented a diverse array of backgrounds and lived and learned experiences. Hiring someone to represent Ada as their next CEO allowed them to make decisions which emphasized their values of equality and inclusion. It was amazing to see how passionate the candidates and community are about Ada’s future.

Amy is a 25 plus year non-profit professional with significant expertise in transitional leadership, building organizational capacity, crisis management and strategic planning. She is an inspirational and innovative executive dedicated to staff and volunteers. 

During her tenure as Interim Executive Director at University Beyond Bars, Amy was exposed first-hand to prison life and the challenges men and women face behind bars and upon their release. This experience had a profound impact and helped further her understanding of her own privilege and the systemic injustices which exist in our society.