Are you looking for a new or deeper way to engage with the Foundation? Consider serving on the Washington Women’s Foundation Board of Directors! We have several openings on the board beginning January 1, 2026, for a three-year term (which may be renewed twice). The director recruitment process is an open call: We welcome all interested members to apply. Read on to find out about our recruitment efforts this year.

The Board of Directors is responsible for the organization’s financial, governance, and mission-based leadership. With input from the CEO, our directors guide the mission, values, strategic direction, and fiduciary health of Washington Women’s Foundation. Candidates should demonstrate an openness to new approaches, have the time and commitment for productive board service, and be ready to invite their communities to learn about the Foundation.

We welcome new directors who exemplify five personal attributes, which we expect all our board directors to demonstrate. WaWF directors possess these traits:

• Values aligned – they model caring and collaborating;
• Courageous – they are bold in their ideas, embrace uncertainty and champion transformation;
• Curious – they listen, learn, and act;
• Ambassadors – they foster energy and excitement about the Foundation’s vision;
• Committed – they strive to be good directors for the Foundation.

In particular, our board is currently focused on the Foundation’s strategy and mission, working together with staff and members to set a new vision for the future. New board members will join us in this transformative work. Directors are being asked to prioritize their ambassadorship efforts as champions of strategic change, new ideas and bold programs within the membership and broader community. Directors commit to actively promote the story of WaWF, and describe the value of membership within their networks. Incoming board members will plan to regularly participate in programs and events, joyfully connect with current members, and enthusiastically recruit new members and donors to the Foundation.

In addition to these attributes, we strongly encourage applications from members with the following areas of expertise or experience:

• Strategic and multi-year planning;
• Legal experience or expertise;
• Willingness to serve in a leadership role for the board, committees and/or task forces;
• Financial understanding, particularly in the nonprofit arena;
• Advocacy, civic engagement, or community organizing;
• Passion for nurturing and growing our member and donor community;
• Lived experience that reflects the diverse identities of our broader Washington State population

Process: All interested candidates will be invited to complete a statement of interest, followed by a conversation with members of the Board Governance Committee to get to know them and better understand their interest in board service. From our pool of applicants, the Governance Committee will recommend a slate of candidates to the board for approval and then present the slate to the full membership for a vote at the annual meeting held in October 2025.

For those curious or interested in board service, please attend the virtual Board Service Info Session on May 14, 2025, at 12:00 PM.   Click here to register. If you are interested in board service yourself, or wish to share the name of another member you think would be a strong addition to the board of our foundation, please contact Susan Barley, Governance Chair, at barleysseattle@gmail.com or Maria Kolby-Wolfe, President & CEO, at ceo@wawomensfdn.org. Attending the session on May 14th is not a requirement to apply and we would love to see you there! Board Members must be members of the Washington Women’s Foundation.

We appreciate your interest in becoming more engaged with the Foundation’s mission.