The Seventh Annual Leadership Award

for Outstanding Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector

is presented to

Robin Lester, CEO

Washington Women's Employment & Education (WWEE)

     The Seventh Annual Leadership Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector is presented to Robin Lester, Chief Executive Officer of  Washington Women’s Employment & Education (WWEE).

WWEE is a long-standing nonprofit agency offering education and training to low-income participants leaving welfare and entering the workforce in King and Pierce Counties.  WWEE has helped nearly 13,000 people break the cycle of poverty and build self-confidence.   

For the past 15 years, Robin Lester has worked tirelessly in pursuit of social justice and economic equity for the underprivileged in our communities.  She has committed her time and talent to assisting low income families, especially single women with children to gain economic stability.  Robin holds a law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Marketing and Finance.  She is admitted to practice in the State of Washington and the U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington.

Robin is responsible for the overall operations of the agency.  This includes working in partnership with the board to lead the agency in achieving its stated mission through the strategic planning process, provide progressive and pro-active leadership in the employment and training, and non-profit communities and to provide relationship management with external partners and stakeholders.

Previously, Robin was the Director of Legal Services for the King County Bar Associations, (KCBA) providing civil legal services to low-income residents of King County.  Robin was instrumental in starting the first Housing Justice Project in the State of Washington. During Robin’s tenure KCBA received the prestigious Harrison Tweed National Award for the outstanding national pro bono program of the year.

Robin has been involved with community-based boards, commissions and task forces over the past 15 years in the Puget Sound area and is currently Secretary of the South King Council of Human Services; a leader on the Pierce County Asset Building Coalition Executive Committee; Legislative Committee member of the Pierce County Human Services Coalition and provides pro bono legal services through the Thurston County Volunteer Legal Clinics.

Congratulations, Robin for your outstanding service and leadership!

The Executive Alliance Leadership Award honors leaders whose actions exemplify EA’s mission to advance a powerful nonprofit sector, supporting a vibrant community and thriving economy.

Past recipients of this award include:

Janis Avery Treehouse

Josephine Tamayo-Murray Catholic Community Services King County

Mike Heinisch Kent Youth & Family Services

Rita Ryder YWCA of King and Snohomish Counties

Jane White Vulliet Program for Early Parent Support

Doreen Cato First Place

Jan Levy Leadership Tomorrow

Award Description and Criteria

2008 Evergreen Award is presented to SeaShare

SeaShare is a Washington State non-profit hunger-relief organization. For 15 years, SeaShare has cultivated innovative partnerships with leading seafood companies from the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, the Southeastern states and the Northeast, to develop a
sustainable source of seafood for people in need. Of all these valuable partnerships, the best expression of SeaShare’s program goals is a 9-year collaboration with the members of the At-sea Processors Association (APA). The APA is a trade association representing seven Washington companies that own and operate U.S.-flag catcher/processor fishing vessels. SeaShare’s work, together with their partners, has resulted in a unique effort that supplies over 1 million seafood meals annually to people in need in the united States, while encouraging sustainable harvest practices in American fisheries. It is called the APA Community Catch Program.

Honorable Mention:

Cowlitz County Guidance Association

Washington Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest

WithinReach

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