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2024 Workforce Discovery Lab
Photography Provided By: Jonathan Owens by Headshots by WKND Photography
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About Us
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Our Mission
The Success Foundation’s mission is to empower individuals and communities through education and workforce development. We are committed to fostering a future where every person has the opportunity to thrive. We work towards building a more equitable Southwest King County where education and workforce development are pathways to personal growth and economic vitality.
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Our Vision
The Success Foundation’s vision is to inspire and prepare individuals to reach their potential, creating social and economic progress by expanding access to knowledge and opportunities
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The Success Foundation, as the Chamber's 501(c)(3) charitable arm, is deeply committed to enhancing economic development in the Southside and its surrounding communities. Established in 2016 by the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce, its primary goal is to bridge gaps in the school-to-work pipeline. With a focus on education, workforce development, and community enhancement, the Foundation engages in projects and research initiatives pivotal to the region's growth.
This charitable enterprise advocates for and actively participates in projects aimed at bolstering education, workforce training, and community progress. It envisions a Southside where businesses, residents, and partners flourish and define their own success stories. The Foundation works tirelessly to uplift the community, particularly given poverty rates exceeding the state average in the area.
Recognizing the need for collective effort, the Success Foundation encourages community involvement. By collaborating with businesses, residents, and partners, it aims to create a thriving environment where everyone benefits. As they strive to uplift the region, the Foundation remains dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses, fostering a community where prosperity and success are accessible to all.
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Our Core Values
At the Success Foundation our core values drive every aspect of our work and guide us in our unwavering commitment to making a meaningful impact. We believe in: Community, Diversity, Exploration, Leadership, Vitality.
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Our Guiding Principle
Empower and inspire future leaders.
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Our Programs & Events
April:
South King County Education and Workforce Summit & Career Showcase
July:
Southside Leadership Conference
August:
Workforce Discovery Lab
November:
Annual Success Foundation Gala
Click HERE to learn more about each event!
Annual Programs:
Student Scholarships
Professional Mentorship
Career Internship Opportunities
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Engage with the Success Foundation
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Meet Our Team
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A message from our Executive Director
Samantha LeExecutive Director(206) 575 1633 x 112"I am genuinely honored to lead the Success Foundation, driven by its inspiring mission. My enthusiasm lies in empowering our youth, engaging supporters, and fostering greater community connections to establish the Southside as the premier hub for learning, work, and leisure. I'm eager to build upon the incredible groundwork laid by our predecessors, working collaboratively with the board to elevate our impact in the Southside community.
As a Vietnamese Refugee deeply rooted in South King County, I'm privileged to serve the very community that offered my family opportunities and a welcoming embrace."
Le has been the Executive Vice President at the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce since 2021. Alongside her new role as Executive Director at the Success Foundation, she continues leading the Chamber's education and workforce initiatives, strategic partnerships, programming, and offering support to the Chamber's membership and the wider community.
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Success Foundation Board of Directors
Bob Livingston
2024 Board Chair (2024 - Present)
Homestreet Bank - TukwilaNavdeep Singh
Deputy Chair (2024 - Present)
Westfield Shopping CenterDeepak Devasthali
Treasurer (2024 - Present)
Virginia Mason Franciscan HealthJoe Van
Director (2024 - Present)
Highline Public SchoolsFaisal Mohamed
Director (2024 - Present)
SeaTac International MallAmy O'Donnell
Director (2023 - Present)
Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of CommerceRafael Saucedo
Director (2023 - Present)
BECUAnnie McGrath
Ex-Officio Member (2022-Present)Seattle Southside Chamber of CommerceAbout the Board:The Success Foundation, a 501(c)(3) entity, operates with a diverse Board of Directors from various business sectors. Their active involvement in policy, direct oversight of the Executive Director, and participation in committees, advisory councils, and key events ensure strategic direction. The Board supports the organization financially, meets quarterly in person on the 3rd Tuesday between 2-3 PM, and exercises fiscal responsibility for long-term sustainability. -
Success Foundation Staff
Max GitelmanPrograms Managermax@seattlesouthsidechamber.com
(206) 575 1633 x 110Max Gitelman is a dynamic professional whose journey with the Chamber began in March 2022 as an Executive Assistant. After a brief departure, Max returned in 2023, initially as a contract Program Coordinator for the Workforce Discovery Lab. Currently, Max serves as the Success Foundation's Programs Manager, lending expertise to drive programmatic growth. His dedication and contributions have been instrumental in advancing and enhancing our initiatives.Leyna ThachStudent LiaisonLeyna Thach is a student at Highline High School, who joined the Success Foundation as a student liaison for the 2024 Workforce Discovery Lab. She is an alumni of the program, having completed the 2022 Workforce Discovery Lab. -
Committees
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Education & Workforce Advisory Council
The Success Foundation's Education and Workforce Advisory Council collaborates with diverse stakeholders – businesses, policymakers, educators, community groups, and local youth – in uplifting and expanding college and career opportunities for historically marginalized students and families. Seeking partnerships to further their mission, we join forces with Puget Sound College and Career Network (PSCCN), and Highline College. Despite the region's tech prowess and vibrant business economy, many students and young adults are excluded. While over 90% aspire to postsecondary credentials, only 30% complete them, creating a looming gap in meeting the region's job demands. PSCCN's King County Promise and Highline College's responsive curriculum stand as success models, while our Success Foundation workforce program aims to diversify and prepare students for their desired careers, bridging gaps and empowering underrepresented identities.
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Foundation Fundraiser & Gala Event Committee
The Success Foundation's Foundation Fundraiser & Gala Event Committee, a dedicated team of volunteers, curates an engaging and successful annual fundraiser benefiting the Workforce Discovery Lab. Their multifaceted role involves procuring items, event design, meticulous logistics management, and offering invaluable guidance. Through their expertise and unwavering commitment, they create a vibrant atmosphere, ensuring a seamless and impactful event. These passionate volunteers embody the spirit of philanthropy, contributing significantly to the fundraiser's success and enabling the lab's initiatives in fostering workforce development and innovation.
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Success Foundation In The News
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Upcoming Events
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Civic Partner
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Platinum Member
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Platinum Member
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Platinum Member
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Platinum Member