Dr. Danielson is a widely respected healthcare professional and advocate of building a greater sense of well-being and equity in underserved communities across the Greater Seattle region.
With genuine appreciation and excitement, Seattle Foundation is proud to welcome Dr. Benjamin Danielson to our Board of Trustees. Dr. Danielson is currently a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at University of Washington and previously served as the Senior Medical Director for the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic for more than 20 years. Through medicine and his eagerness for building a better world, Dr. Danielson has profoundly impacted the greater Seattle region and its community members. Seattle Foundation is incredibly honored to welcome Dr. Danielson to our Board, as we continue on our journey to center equity in our work and engage philanthropists, community partners, and cross-sector leaders in our bold vision for Seattle — a thriving region of shared prosperity, belonging and justice, where all individuals and communities have equitable access and outcomes, regardless of race, place, or identity.
“On behalf of Seattle Foundation’s entire Board of Trustees, I am honored to welcome Ben into our organization. He is a thoughtful, committed, servant leader whose expertise spans sectors and organizations. Seattle Foundation is fortunate to have such a well-respected and deeply experienced leader on our Board, especially as we continue on our journey to center equity in all that we do and focus on what an equitable recovery from COVID-19 will look like for our region,” shared Dr. Ed Taylor, Seattle Foundation’s Board Chair.
At a young age, Dr. Danielson was adopted by a single parent after being placed in the foster care system. Since then, he has been dedicated to building a life filled with community service and education, ideals that were instilled by his mom. He sits on several other boards across Washington state, supporting programs that focus on philanthropy, health, and youth services. He spends time supporting organizations including, but not limited to, University of Washington Foundation, Amara Adoption and Foster Care Services, and the Center for Children and Youth Justice. He also chairs the Governor’s Interagency Council on Health Disparities as well as the Group Health Foundation Board, and serves on King County’s Children and Youth Advisory Board.
“I look forward to working beside the talented, dedicated folks on the Board and throughout the organization. This is a critical time and Seattle Foundation plays a vital role in furthering the journey of equity. We all must hold high the shared, worthy effort of realizing beloved communities,” shared Dr. Danielson about his joining Seattle Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Dr. Danielson received his medical degree from University of Washington in 1992, after finishing undergraduate studies at Harvard University. He completed his pediatric residency at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Dr. Danielson has said that he is consistently inspired by the children, families, communities, and organizations with whom he interacts. Likewise, we, at Seattle Foundation, are inspired by his passion for caring for other people no matter their circumstances.