{"id":59450,"date":"2026-04-13T15:34:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T15:34:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/?p=59450"},"modified":"2026-04-13T16:04:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T16:04:58","slug":"welcoming-melissa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/es\/2026\/04\/welcoming-melissa\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcoming Melissa Johnson, Executive Director of Summer Search Seattle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"1px solid #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"1.3333333333333333px\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When Melissa\u00a0Johnson (she\/her)\u00a0talks about her work, she starts with people: family, community, and\u00a0the young\u00a0people 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.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335572079&quot;:6,&quot;335572080&quot;:1,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;single&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-top=\"0px none \" data-ccp-padding-top=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-bottom=\"1px solid #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"1.3333333333333333px\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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\u00a0track record\u00a0of building partnerships and growing philanthropic support to expand impact\u00a0for\u00a0students 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.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335572079&quot;:6,&quot;335572080&quot;:1,&quot;335572081&quot;:4278190080,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;single&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In her first week, we asked\u00a0Melissa\u00a0to introduce herself and answer our\u202f<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Three Questions<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(3Qs):<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Who are you? Where are you going? How can we help you get there?<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">[<\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/2024\/04\/29\/3qs2023\/\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Explore more from Summer Search\u2019s #3Qs series<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">]<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We invite you to watch\u00a0Melissa\u2019s welcome video and read more below.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<div style=\"padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" title=\"Welcoming Melissa Johnson: Three Questions (Full)\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1181782870?h=da168f6a82&amp;badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479\" frameborder=\"0\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/api\/player.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Video Highlights:<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Q1) 0:00-1:35\u00a0~\u202fWho am I?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Q2) 1:36-3:37\u00a0~\u202fWhat do I want to be \/ Where am I going?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Q3)\u00a03:38-5:13\u00a0~\u202fHow can you help me \/ How can we get there?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A Leader Grounded in Purpose<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Melissa describes herself first through her relationships: a mom, grandmother, sister, aunt, and daughter. Her large and diverse family, spread across the country,\u00a0remains\u00a0a constant source of joy and inspiration.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">She also brings a perspective shaped by her experience as a cancer survivor.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThat experience gives me a deep appreciation for doing as much as I can with the time that we are given,\u201d she said.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWorking 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.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/500A9A7350-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"551\" height=\"319\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Growing Impact in Seattle<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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\u2019s reach.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI\u2019m excited to jump in and make a difference,\u201d she said. \u201cThere is so much opportunity through this phenomenal organization.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Her vision goes beyond growth in numbers. She sees Summer Search as a catalyst for broader community impact.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe can create access for more students, have an impact on families, and create ripples throughout our community,\u201d she said. \u201cThe sky is limitless for us.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">She is especially focused on building something bigger together.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI hope to bring a team together to create something greater than the sum of our parts.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Leading with Joy and Inclusion<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Melissa\u2019s leadership is grounded in equity, inclusion, and a belief that joy and kindness are essential to the work.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIt\u2019s incredibly important to me that the path forward centers equity, diversity, joy, and inclusion,\u201d she said. \u201cI want to be a leader who brings joy, balance, and kindness into everything we do.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">She also embraces\u00a0challenge\u00a0and growth.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI want to continue to go toward the hard things and challenge myself and those around me to accomplish more.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A Call to Community<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As she steps into this role, Melissa is eager to connect with the Seattle community.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cPeople often ask how they can help, and honestly, share the excitement,\u201d she said. \u201cShare the joy of the work we do.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">From volunteering and attending events to giving time and resources, there are many ways to get involved. But her biggest ask is simple:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cTalk about us. Spread the word. The more people who get excited, the more we grow and the more we can support students and families.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Looking Ahead<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Melissa is already thinking about\u00a0what\u2019s\u00a0possible in the year ahead.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI\u2019m excited to revisit in a year and see how far we\u2019ve come and what we\u2019ve accomplished together.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">She also hopes to hear directly from the community she now serves.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI would love to connect,\u201d she said. \u201cWhether you\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With her leadership and vision, we are excited\u00a0about\u00a0what\u2019s\u00a0next for Summer Search Seattle.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Welcome, Melissa.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When Melissa\u00a0Johnson (she\/her)\u00a0talks about her work, she starts with people: family, community, and\u00a0the young\u00a0people whose futures can be transformed with the right support. That deep commitment&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":59451,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59450","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-staff","category-summersearch"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Melissa-Johnson-Welcome-Series-1920x1080-1-600x400.png","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Melissa-Johnson-Welcome-Series-1920x1080-1-600x600.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Becks Loo","author_link":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/es\/author\/bloosummersearch-org\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59450","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59450"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59450\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/summersearch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}