Leadership Award Info

Josephine Tamayo-Murray
2003 Executive Alliance Leadership Award Recipient

Josephine was nominated for this award by Jane White Vulliet, Executive Director of Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS).

“Josephine epitomizes leadership to me. As well as possessing all of the expected qualities of an accomplished professional, Josephine is a servant leader. She brings people to the table and inspires them to go forward; she is confident in a quiet, humble, gentle way. Josephine steps up to leadership and is always part of the solution when a challenge presents itself. She stands against institutionalized racism and works to build a positive community. She thinks ahead of the curve and was in fact one of our community’s leaders who carried forth the vision for Executive Alliance.

And this is the quality that says it all. Josephine is a powerful leader who takes the time to notice the least powerful in a group of her peers, in an authentic way, and thus empowers that person to grow and lead.”

The Award was presented to Josephine Tamayo Murray, Executive Director of Catholic Community Services King County, a private non-profit multi-service agency serving over 25,000 individuals annually through the efforts of over 1,250 staff and 3,000 volunteers. In accepting the award at Executive Alliance’s Annual Meeting, Ms. Tamayo Murray thanked the many excellent leaders of color who have preceded her in this community.

With more than 20 years experience in social and housing services, Josephine has been a leader in the development of affordable housing, counseling and service-enriched programs that assist the elders, disabled, low-income and homeless persons. A Seattle native, she received her BA in Psychology/Sociology and her MSW from the University of Washington.

She has served as Managing Director of the Archdiocesan Housing Authority where she was responsible for the direction and coordination of the property, business, financial and personnel administration of 700 low-income housing units and several homeless programs. Prior to this she served as Associate Director at CCS-Western WA; was an Associate Director for HCS Western Regional Support Center; worked as a Program Manager for the WA State Dept. of Social & Health Services; and as services administrator for Therapeutic Health Services.

She has completed her service on the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, and serves on the boards of the Marymount Association for Senior Housing and the Seattle Preparatory School. She is president of the board of directors for the Seattle Economic Development Association. Ms. Tamayo Murray was one of the founding members of Executive Alliance, and has served as President of the Board of 20 fellow executive directors.