Pacific Northwest

Located in a vibrant region spanning Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and British Columbia, our chapter connects passionate Yale alumni and friends of Yale dedicated to making a difference in the nonprofit sector and beyond.

We foster a supportive community for those committed to positive social impact, offering opportunities for networking, skill-building, and collaborative action. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a recent graduate, or simply looking to engage with meaningful causes, we invite you to join us as we work together to strengthen our communities and create lasting change. Explore our upcoming events and get involved today!

UPCOMING

PAST EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

YANA Pacific Northwest Strategic Planning Meeting + Networking Event

In early May, the YANA Pacific Northwest Chapter came together for two energizing events in Seattle: an informal meet-and-greet with Executive Director Kristin Urquiza on Thursday evening, followed by a strategic planning session Friday morning. With about 20 engaged members at each gathering, we enjoyed thoughtful conversations, new connections, and a shared sense of purpose.

During these sessions, we made significant strides in defining the value our chapter brings to the Pacific Northwest. As a hub for mission-driven professionals, we are committed to fostering collaboration, amplifying impact, and supporting career development throughout the region, especially during this uncertain time for nonprofit organizations. 

Some priority activities for 2025-26 emerged from our discussions. These included: 

•   Facilitating networking and connections through meet-and-greets, volunteer opportunities, and a comprehensive member directory and resource compendium. 
•   Putting skill-building front and center, including inviting local experts and Yale professors to interactive salon sessions and career development workshops. 
•   Raising awareness on a broad range of issues, including arts and culture, environment, immigration, and poverty reduction/financial inclusion.

Stay tuned! This is just the start of our planning process. We’re planning an online meeting open to members across the Pacific Northwest as a next step. 

Thank you to everyone who attended for helping us shape an inspiring future together, and a special thank you to Jeff Cohen GSAS ‘94 and the Perigee Fund (https://perigeefund.org/) who generously hosted these gatherings.

YANA Pacific Northwest and the Yale Club of Oregon & SW Washington present a panel discussion:

Crossroads for Oregon Education: Funding, Outcomes, and Next Steps for Our Schools
May 8, 2024 | Lincoln High School

From last November’s historic teacher strike in Portland Public Schools to reports of major budget shortfalls in several districts, school funding, class size, and educational outcomes have become a daily topic of conversation across Oregon. At the same time, recent data showed that Oregon is the only state in the nation where students have fallen further behind after the influx of state and federal funds meant to help them catch up after the post-Covid emergency. Particularly stark were the widening test score gaps between wealthy school districts and those serving poorer, traditionally underserved students. 

Join a panel of experts for an essential conversation about the future of education funding in Oregon:

• Peyton Chapman, Principal of Lincoln High School
• Mark Hass, former State Senator 
• Sarah Pope, Executive Director, Stand for Children Oregon 
• Natalie Pate, K-12 Education Reporter and Producer at Oregon Public Broadcasting (Moderator)

=> Note: We are delighted to share that Fox 12 covered the event, broadening the conversation’s reach. Coverage is available here  

Programming, Events, and Networking

Upcoming Events