FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2020
CONTACT:
Heather Thomas, 425.339.8688
hthomas@snohd.org
Board Members Selected for New Public Health Foundation in Snohomish County
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – In September, a call for applications went out seeking community members committed to public health and interested in being a founding board member for a new public foundation. The Sound Foundation for Public Health will be a new foundation whose purpose will be to secure supportive funding for priorities identified in community health assessments, community health improvement plans, and/or emerging public health issues in Snohomish County.
A primary focus of the foundation will be to fund Snohomish Health District programs in alignment with the purpose, either through philanthropic fundraising or targeted grant writing. The foundation will also look for opportunities to support other organizations doing complementary work in the community in the future.
More than 20 applications were submitted, and after screening and interview rounds, the ad hoc committee selected seven members. The founding board members are:
- Jason Cockburn – Founder and Vice-president of Second Chance Foundation
- Christine Cook – Former City of Mukilteo Councilmember, Past Board of Health Member
- Dr. Robin Fenn – Professor and Chair of Public Health at Bastyr University
- Maria Montalvo – Executive Director of the Corvias Foundation
- Lika Smith – Executive Director for the Pacific Islander Health Board
- Lynn Sordel – Director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts for the City of Lynnwood
- Joe Vessey – CEO for Community Health Center of Snohomish County
Selected board members will be involved with the final creation and formation of the foundation. These initial seven members can elect to appoint a maximum of 11 voting members once formed. The foundation board may elect ex-officio board members that will not have voting power, will not count as one of the regular board members, and will not be eligible for office. At a minimum, ex-officio board members will include the Health District’s Board of Health Chair (or designee) and the Health District’s Administrative Officer (or designee).
In August 2020, the Board of Health unanimously voted to approve a resolution expressing its support for the formation of a public health foundation. They acknowledged that there is a public benefit to supporting the creation of a nonprofit that is focused on addressing unmet needs and funding gaps in public health priorities.
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