Alesha Washington is the President & CEO of Seattle Foundation. In her role, she leads efforts to inspire transformative philanthropy to foster a joyful region of shared prosperity, belonging, and justice. During her tenure, the foundation has set a refreshed strategic direction, elevated its leadership on key issues like affordable housing, transit, and childcare access, and strengthened its operations for greater community impact.
Prior to joining Seattle Foundation, she served as the program director for Vibrant Neighborhoods and Inclusive Economy at the George Gund Foundation. She led democracy building and civic engagement strategies statewide, and regional grantmaking to bolster community revitalization and economic growth. Alesha has spent a significant portion of her career in government relations, having held senior policy and advocacy roles with Greater Cleveland Partnership, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, and the Centers for Families and Children.
Alesha serves on the boards of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Center for Effective Philanthropy. She is a 2015 American Marshall Fellow of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
Alesha received her undergraduate degree from Oberlin College and her Masters of Nonprofit Management from Case Western Reserve University.
