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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULIE ZIEGLER NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HUMANITIES WASHINGTON
SEATTLE – Following a six-month national search, Humanities Washington has hired Julie Ziegler as its new executive director. Ziegler brings deep experience in program development and philanthropy to the role and a deep commitment to the organization’s mission to support and provide compelling, accessible cultural education programs to audiences across Washington.
Ziegler previously held positions with several national companies, primarily in philanthropy, community outreach and marketing. While at Safeco Insurance she managed the national grants program and several grassroots outreach programs. Prior to that, she worked as Northwest Regional Manager of the Bank of America Foundation. In a volunteer capacity she has worked on behalf of a variety of non-profit organizations such as ArtsFund, Philanthropy Northwest, United Way of King County, Leadership Tomorrow and Powerful Schools.
“Julie has a talent for building bridges between people, organizations, regions and institutions,” said Susannah Malarkey, chair of Humanities Washington’s board of trustees. “Her passion, energy and vision for Humanities Washington’s work complement her solid and supportive management style in a way that has tremendous potential.”
An eight-year trustee of Humanities Washington (1998-2004 and 2006-present), Ziegler has held a variety of board leadership positions, including chair of the Grants, Development, and Finance Committees in addition to several years on the Executive Committee. “Julie’s deep knowledge of our organization’s history and evolution, as well as her personal ties across the State give her unique perspective on our existing programs and plans for the future,” continued Malarkey. “Our board looks forward to working with her to deepen Humanities Washington’s impact across the state.”
Ziegler began serving as interim executive director in January 2009, and was named to her post in early June. She succeeds former executive director Ted Lord who left the organization to return to teaching and philanthropic consulting.
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ABOUT HUMANITIES WASHINGTON
Humanities Washington is a statewide organization dedicated to improving life for individuals and their communities through interdisciplinary cultural education programs that nurture creativity, promote dialogue and spark critical thinking. In 2008, Humanities Washington served more than two million people in rural and urban communities across the state.
Humanities Washington’s programs include Motheread, a family literacy program; Inquiring Mind, a speakers’ bureau featuring dynamic presenters on a broad array of humanities topics; an Exhibits program which brings Smithsonian exhibitions to small rural and suburban museums; and grants to support grassroots humanities projects in Washington State. For more information on Humanities Washington, please visit www.humanities.org.
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