New Managing Directors to Propel Seattle Foundation’s Equity-Focused Mission Forward

Rebecca Chan to lead Operations & Impact for Programs and LaMonte Guillory will lead Marketing & Communications at Seattle Foundation.

Seattle, WA—Seattle Foundation is strategically growing its Management Team by adding two new leaders who will help drive the organization’s philanthropic initiatives and transformative impact across the Greater Seattle region. Rebecca Chan recently began her role as Managing Director, Operations & Impact on Seattle Foundation’s Community Programs team. In the coming weeks, LaMonte Guillory will join as Managing Director, Marketing & Communications.

Rebecca Chan | Managing Director, Operations & Impact

Rebecca Chan comes to the Foundation with more than a decade of experience in social change and a commitment to advancing social justice. Previously, Chan worked in strategy consulting with Camber Collective, where she developed and executed philanthropic and equity strategies across multiple foundations and clients, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Pivotal Ventures. Rebecca brings a strong connection to the local community here in Seattle, including as a Board Member for Social Justice Fund NW since 2017.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca to the Seattle Foundation team,” said Kris Hermanns, Chief Impact Officer at Seattle Foundation. “With more than a decade of social impact and social change experience, Rebecca’s leadership is critical to successfully realizing our commitment to mobilizing greater philanthropic resources to advance racial and economic equity. She also brings deep knowledge of this region and has strong connections with local partners, which are indispensable in building transformational relationships in our community.”

In her new role, Chan will lead the Community Programs team on matters of strategic importance, including operational effectiveness and evaluation, talent management and support, donor engagement, and more.  At a time when Seattle Foundation has reinforced its commitment to do even more to mobilize greater philanthropic resources in support of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, Rebecca’s role is critical to the continued evolution of the Foundation.

“I am thrilled to be joining the team at Seattle Foundation. Having grown up in Seattle, I’m deeply invested in making this region one of shared prosperity, belonging, and justice—I’m energized by the role Seattle Foundation is playing in making this a reality. I’ve spent my recent years in philanthropic strategy, and I’m excited to now focus that energy in advancing racial and economic equity,” said Chan.

LaMonte Guillory

A dynamic communications executive and strategist with two decades of experience with foundations, boards, and startups, LaMonte Guillory will join the team as Managing Director, Marketing & Communications. He will help set the Foundation’s approach to community philanthropy through high-impact content, storytelling, marketing strategies, and engagement initiatives in this new role.

“I understand how the power of influence and its close relationship with words can reshape our reality. I also know the catastrophic consequences of a failed communications ecosystem. Seattle Foundation has courageously committed to building a communications strategy centered on amplifying inequities, elevating perspective and authenticity in the narrative, and remaining transparent in its purpose. I want to be a part of this courage and to do it here, with you,” said Guillory.

Guillory previously spent nearly six years at the LOR Foundation as Chief Communications Officer. He conceptualized, built, and led LOR’s landmark media investments in the Mountain West in that position. These investments addressed the growing crisis in the local news ecosystem that threatens good governance, community dialogue, and balanced perspectives. Guillory also serves on several boards, including the Colorado Media Project, Rural Development Innovation Group, Rural Communities Assistance Partnership, and the Communications Network.

“As a board colleague from the Communications Network, the national cohort of communicators across the philanthropy and nonprofit space, I know LaMonte as a true talent. He understands the power of storytelling for good and how communications is a lever for impact. He delivers results that improve lives, shape opinions, drives action, and bring humanity and equity to the forefront of communications and engagement. I am so pleased he is joining the Seattle Foundation and look forward to how he will shine a spotlight on progress across our region,” said Jason Hunke, Vice President of Communications at Vulcan.

Guillory will begin his full-time work with Seattle Foundation on April 19 and will report to the new Chief Engagement Officer, Stephanie McLemore Bray. Chan reports to Chief Impact Officer Kris Hermanns. Both Guillory and Chan will play key roles on the Foundation’s Management Team.

About Seattle Foundation:

Together with its mission to ignite powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant region for all, Seattle Foundation envisions 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.

As a community foundation, Seattle Foundation works to advance equity and opportunity throughout the region while strengthening the impact of the philanthropists it serves. Founded in 1946 and with more than $1.1 billion in assets, the Foundation pursues its mission with a combination of deep community insight, civic leadership, philanthropic advising, and judicious financial stewardship. Read more at the Seattle Foundation home page.

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact Michele Frix.