Program director Alesha Washington leaving for new opportunity in philanthropy

Alesha Washington, program director for Vibrant Neighborhoods and Inclusive Economy since 2020, is leaving The George Gund Foundation next month. She has been selected to become the next president and CEO of the Seattle Foundation.

During her time at the Gund Foundation, Washington has been responsible for reshaping the Foundation’s community revitalization, economic development, and democracy grantmaking strategies. She has played a lead role in initiatives aimed to deepen local philanthropy’s commitment to racial equity and justice as well as statewide democracy building efforts. Washington also stewarded efforts to increase the Foundation’s giving to Black and Latinx-led organizations, resulting in $6 million alone in 2020 to support the operating and capacity needs of community organizations like the Urban League of Greater Cleveland and the United Black Fund.

“While our time together has been limited, it has been an absolute privilege to have worked alongside Alesha,” said Tony Richardson, president of The George Gund Foundation. “The work she has done and the leadership she has brought to the Foundation has been incredibly valuable. It sets the stage for the deeper impact we aim to have in our community and beyond.”

The Foundation will fill this role in the future. In the meantime, inquiries related to the Vibrant Neighborhoods and Inclusive Economy and Democracy Building portfolios should be directed to John Mitterholzer, program director for Climate and Environmental Justice (jmitterholzer@gundfdn.org).