Announcing Our New Executive Director, Paul Pitkin

Paul Pitkin has spent the past 25 years as a leader and executive of non-profit organizations. His goal has always been to leverage community resources to achieve real outcomes for individuals and families. From working with people with disabilities to help them become included in their communities, to helping sustain and improve library services, to providing funding for students seeking higher education, his experience reflects the passion he has for bringing about systemic change.

As Vice President of Philanthropy at Easter Seals Washington, he spearheaded a capital campaign to renovate Easter Seals Camp Stand By Me. As Executive Director of the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation, he developed and funded The Opportunity Fund to provide internet resources and books to families facing the challenges of the Covid pandemic, and served as a Chief Organizer for TEDxSno-Isle Libraries. The Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation received the Outstanding Leadership award from Leadership Snohomish County and the Innovative Library Service award from the Washington Libraries Association during his tenure. As Executive Director of the Peninsula College Foundation, he helped establish the Peninsula Education Opportunity Fund to provide scholarships for underserved students in Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks, and Port Townsend. He now begins his work as the Executive Director of the Issaquah Schools Foundation.

Paul believes that an education is the key to individual and community success, and that equal access to educational resources is critical to students reaching their academic goals. He sees the Issaquah Schools Foundation as the perfect community asset to help all students in the Issaquah area get the extra tools they need to succeed. He views the Foundation’s ability to provide support for students and families of all backgrounds from the beginning of their educational careers through their High School graduations as a unique and impactful opportunity.

In his spare time Paul likes to write and play music, hike, play basketball, and take whatever chance he gets to jump in the water. He spends lots of time with his family attempting to exhaust their Jack Russell Terrier. He is thrilled to join the Issaquah Schools Foundation and support its mission, and welcomes all questions and greetings from the Issaquah community