The Washington State Housing Finance Commission and KEES are pleased to announce the appointment of Nashika Stanbro as its first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Director.

As a member of the senior leadership team and reporting directly to the executive director, Stanbro will cultivate diversity, equity, and inclusion as foundational principles across the Commission and provide key leadership in implementing anti-racist strategies. Leading the search efforts were Executive Search Manager Yoo-Jin Hong and Project Manager Randi Blasutti of KEES.

Stanbro brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record as a DEI professional and racial equity champion. Most recently, Stanbro was Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Community Transit in Snohomish County, developing DEI strategies and initiatives in support of more than 800 employees. Before stepping into this inaugural DEI position at Community Transit, she served as a crisis communication and media relations specialist.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nashika as our first DEI Director at this crucial juncture for the Commission,” said Steve Walker, executive director of the Housing Finance Commission. “She comes to us at just the right time with the expertise and leadership we need to build on the strong foundation of our Racial Equity Strategic Plan and further our transformation into an anti-racist organization.”

Stanbro says, “The mission of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission resonates with me on a deep level. Increasing housing access and affordability, and expanding community services are vital in developing self-sustaining communities. The Commission’s work aligns with my core value of making a difference in the lives of others, and I am beyond excited to join the team.”

Stanbro holds degrees in Integrated Strategic Communications from Everett Community College and Washington State University. She has also completed extensive professional studies and leadership training focused on DEI, racial equity, and anti-racism.

About the Partners

Washington State Housing Finance Commission

The Washington State Housing Finance Commission (the Commission) is a market-driven and self-supporting state agency dedicated to increasing housing access and affordability and to expanding quality community services for the people of Washington. Homelessness and lack of housing affordability are crises that affect many communities across the state. The Commission plays a key role in the solution to these problems by partnering to transform lives, neighborhoods, and communities. For forty years, the Commission has enabled more than 100,000 Washington residents to buy homes and created or preserved more than 110,000 affordable apartments for residents ranging from working families to seniors to the unhoused. To learn more, please visit www.wshfc.org

KEES

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams with dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. A woman-owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services, including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and human resources support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.

KEES provides services to strengthen leadership teams through Executive Search, Board Coaching, Leadership Development, Human Resources Consulting, Specialty/Interim staffing, and Philanthropy/Fundraising, all with a focus on DEIB and equity lenses. Focusing its partnerships on organizations propelling social change, KEES has partnered with housing-focused missions for over 25 years. We believe housing is essential for individuals and communities to thrive. From emergency housing, shelter, supportive and transitional housing, to permanent housing and long-term housing needs, and supportive services related to housing and affordability, KEES is committed to ensuring public and nonprofit partners have diverse and dynamic leadership teams and infrastructure to support success. KEES values the role housing plays in the stability of life, work, and social dynamics. KEES also partners with clients who provide valuable wrap-around services such as food, transportation, employment, and education. 

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KEES MEDIA CONTACT:

Jamie Sheffler, jsheffler@kees2success.com

WASHINGTON STATE HOUSING FINANCE COMMISSION MEDIA CONTACT:

Margret Graham, Margret.Graham@wshfc.org