When Melissa Johnson (she/her) talks about her work, she starts with people: family, community, and the young people whose futures can be transformed with the right support. That deep commitment to people and possibility is exactly what makes her such a powerful addition to our community, and we are thrilled to welcome her as the new Executive Director of Summer Search Seattle. 

Melissa is a nonprofit executive and fundraising leader with more than a decade of experience advancing educational access, community health, and opportunity across the Puget Sound region. She brings a strong track record of building partnerships and growing philanthropic support to expand impact for students and families. Most recently, she led the International Community Health Services (ICHS) Foundation and previously served as Executive Director of the Bellevue College Foundation, where she drove significant fundraising growth. 

In her first week, we asked Melissa to introduce herself and answer our Three Questions (3Qs): Who are you? Where are you going? How can we help you get there? 

[Explore more from Summer Search’s #3Qs series] 

We invite you to watch Melissa’s welcome video and read more below. 

Video Highlights: 

• Q1) 0:00-1:35 ~ Who am I? 

• Q2) 1:36-3:37 ~ What do I want to be / Where am I going? 

• Q3) 3:38-5:13 ~ How can you help me / How can we get there? 

A Leader Grounded in Purpose 

Melissa describes herself first through her relationships: a mom, grandmother, sister, aunt, and daughter. Her large and diverse family, spread across the country, remains a constant source of joy and inspiration. 

She also brings a perspective shaped by her experience as a cancer survivor. 

“That experience gives me a deep appreciation for doing as much as I can with the time that we are given,” she said. 

That sense of purpose carries into her work. For Melissa, nonprofit leadership is about creating access and removing barriers so young people can pursue their goals. 

“Working in nonprofits is my absolute favorite thing after my family. I love being able to create opportunities for young people to follow their own dreams and to help remove barriers in their way.” 

Growing Impact in Seattle 

Melissa joins Summer Search Seattle at a moment of momentum. With a background in building philanthropic partnerships and community engagement, she is eager to expand the organization’s reach. 

“I’m excited to jump in and make a difference,” she said. “There is so much opportunity through this phenomenal organization.” 

Her vision goes beyond growth in numbers. She sees Summer Search as a catalyst for broader community impact. 

“We can create access for more students, have an impact on families, and create ripples throughout our community,” she said. “The sky is limitless for us.” 

She is especially focused on building something bigger together. 

“I hope to bring a team together to create something greater than the sum of our parts.” 

 

Leading with Joy and Inclusion 

Melissa’s leadership is grounded in equity, inclusion, and a belief that joy and kindness are essential to the work. 

“It’s incredibly important to me that the path forward centers equity, diversity, joy, and inclusion,” she said. “I want to be a leader who brings joy, balance, and kindness into everything we do.” 

She also embraces challenge and growth. 

“I want to continue to go toward the hard things and challenge myself and those around me to accomplish more.” 

A Call to Community 

As she steps into this role, Melissa is eager to connect with the Seattle community. 

“People often ask how they can help, and honestly, share the excitement,” she said. “Share the joy of the work we do.” 

From volunteering and attending events to giving time and resources, there are many ways to get involved. But her biggest ask is simple: 

“Talk about us. Spread the word. The more people who get excited, the more we grow and the more we can support students and families.” 

Looking Ahead 

Melissa is already thinking about what’s possible in the year ahead. 

“I’m excited to revisit in a year and see how far we’ve come and what we’ve accomplished together.” 

She also hopes to hear directly from the community she now serves. 

“I would love to connect,” she said. “Whether you’re new to Summer Search or have been part of this work for years, I want to hear your story and learn how we can continue to grow together.” 

With her leadership and vision, we are excited about what’s next for Summer Search Seattle. 

Welcome, Melissa.