At Philanthropy Northwest, we are thankful for our dedicated board of directors, who reflect the diversity of our region and the philanthropic landscape.
We would like to express gratitude to our outgoing board members for their service to our organization, as well as welcome five new board members and a fresh lineup of board officers who will help steer our organization into the future.
Find out more about our amazing board members and officers below.
New Board Members
Mito Alfieri, Senior Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (WA)
Mito Alfieri is a senior program officer on the Community Engagement team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Mito’s previous roles at the foundation include CEO and co-chair support as well as multiple roles in the Global Health Program. She began working at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000.
Mito is a graduate of the University of Washington, where she studied English literature and cultural anthropology. Prior board service has included Summer Search and the Henry Art Gallery. She also chaired the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Art Committee.
Kendall Clawson, Portfolio Director, Leadership, Inatai Foundation (WA)
Kendall is currently the portfolio director at Inatai Foundation and is based in Seattle, Washington. Bringing more than 34 years of nonprofit management and public service experience, she shapes the foundation’s leadership strategies, identifies opportunities to leverage the foundation’s status as a 501(c)(4) organization, and is building an ecosystem of connected leaders and organizations working for equity and justice.
She was most recently the president and chief executive officer of Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington (GOSW) and previously served as the executive director of the American Leadership Forum of Oregon. Kendall also served as deputy chief of staff for community engagement under Oregon’s Office of the Governor where she oversaw the recruitment of 3,000-plus members of state boards and commissions.
She is deeply involved with several community organizations and boards and serves as an elder care advocate. Kendall loves tennis, travel, art and is known to talk to every dog she meets.
Gloria Dixon, Director Philanthropy & Executive Director, BECU Foundation (WA)
Gloria Dixon is the director of philanthropy and executive director of the BECU Foundation and leads BECU's philanthropic community giving across Washington; North Charleston, South Carolina; and specific counties in Oregon and Idaho. During her tenure she managed the BECU Black Community Development Project and launched the BECU Foundation Impact Grants - Housing Stability program.
A transplant from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Gloria has worked with nonprofit community organizations for over 25 years. She serves on the board of directors Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Renton Regional Community Foundation and on the advisory board for Puget Sound Asset Funders Network. She is passionate about mental health wellness, believes in the importance of personal journalling and an avid scrapbooker.
Toya Fick, President and CEO, Meyer Memorial Trust (OR)
Toya is the CEO and president of the Meyer Memorial Trust. She was formerly the Oregon executive director of Stand for Children, where she wrote and led the charge to pass Measure 98, the voter-approved measure changed the way Oregon invests in and supports student success. Toya also served on Meyer's board of trustees for over six years, where she played a primary role in Meyer’s launch of Justice Oregon for Black Lives, the five-year, $25 million initiative is the largest in Meyer’s history.
Toya currently serves on the boards of the University of Oregon, the International Women’s Forum - Oregon, and Foundations for a Better Oregon.
Kendra Witt-Doyle, Executive Director, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health (ID)
Kendra is the executive director of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. A recognized expert on community health, Kendra provides strategic oversight and leadership across the Foundation’s efforts to create a healthier Idaho through innovative, community-led health initiatives.
As an Idaho local and mother of two young boys, Kendra’s passion for improving the health of Idaho’s youth is integral to both her professional and personal life, motivating her to become active in community health organizations and coalitions. Kendra is a first-generation college graduate and holds degrees from Boise State University, University of Texas School of Public Health and University of Texas El Paso.
Board Officers
Please join us in welcoming our board officers.
| Board Chair Alex McKay, Alaska Community Foundation (AK) |
Immediate Past Chair Nichole June Maher, Inatai Foundation, (WA) |
Vice Chair, Programs Michelle DeWitt, Bethel Community Services Foundation (AK) |
| Vice Chair, Board Operations Warren Brown, College Spark Washington (WA) |
Treasurer Diana Birket Rakow, Alaska Airlines (WA) |
Secretary Cat Martin, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (WA) |
We also would like to acknowledge and thank our outgoing board officers as well as our outgoing board members. We are truly grateful for their commitment and continued support of our network.
Outgoing Board Officers
- Brenda Solorzano, The California Endowment, Formerly of Headwaters Foundation
- Lilliane Ballesteros, Latino Community Foundation
- Brian Tanner, Community Leader
Outgoing Board Members
- Ernie Rasmussen, Bigfoot Telecommunications of the Colville Tribes
- Brenda Solorzano, The California Endowment, Formerly of Headwaters Foundation
- Aleesha Towns-Bain, Bristol Bay Foundation
- Huong Vu, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Philanthropy Northwest Board Members
You can find the full list of our board members below.
Mito Alfieri, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Lilliane Ballesteros, Latino Community Foundation
Diana Birkett Rakow, Alaska Airlines
Aden Bliss, The Ford Family Foundation
Warren Brown, College Spark Washington
Shona Carter, Community Leader
Kendall Clawson, Inatai Foundation
Michelle DeWitt, Bethel Community Services Foundation
Gloria Dixon, BECU Foundation
Se-ah-dom Edmo, Seeding Justice
Toya Fick, Meyer Memorial Trust
Mike Halligan, Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
Kris Hermanns, Community Leader
Nichole June Maher, Inatai Foundation
Cat Martin, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation
Alex McKay, Alaska Community Foundation
Ayyu Qassataq, Community Leader
Omni Romero, Pride Foundation
Kendra Witt-Doyle, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health
