After six wonderful years serving on the Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund board, the time has come for me to step down from my active board role. It has been an extraordinary privilege to contribute to this meaningful organization in various capacities—from committee member to Secretary, Vice Chair, and ultimately Chair.
A Journey of Growth and Impact
When I first joined the board, our scholarship program served students exclusively at Mercer Island High School. Today, I’m proud to say we’ve expanded our reach to include two additional schools: Rainier Beach High School and Chief Sealth High School. This growth represents more than just numbers—it reflects our deepening commitment to supporting diverse, deserving students across our community.
Over these six years, I’ve had the profound pleasure of meeting and supporting dozens of remarkable scholars. Each one has brought their own unique story, dreams, and determination to their educational journey. Watching them grow, graduate, and go on to make meaningful impacts in the world has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my service. Every single one of these young people embodies the life and legacy of Dr. Stanley Ann Dunham—her intellectual curiosity, her commitment to service, and her belief in the power of education to transform lives.
Looking Forward with Optimism
As I transition from my board role, I’m filled with excitement about the Fund’s future. The organization has never been stronger. We’ve grown our board to include more dedicated members than ever before, bringing fresh perspectives, diverse expertise, and renewed energy to our mission. There’s a palpable sense of passion and excitement surrounding the Fund’s work that promises to expand our impact significantly in 2025-26 and beyond under the leadership of our new Co-chairs, who together I feel will take SADSF up to the next level. Tammy Perkins is a Global Chief Human Resources Officer with a distinguished career spanning Fortune 100 companies, private equity-backed firms, and high-growth tech startups. She brings a wealth of experience regarding leading people and teams–she’s also a very warm and thoughtful person. And, as a career military leader focusing on leadership development and talent management and over 25 years of experience shaping equitable workplaces and cultivating high-performing, diverse teams across international and domestic organizations, Ron Cheatham, brings a lot of strategic leadership and attention to detail to SADSF.
The strategic vision and enthusiasm of our current board members give me tremendous confidence that the Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund will continue to flourish and reach even more deserving students in the years to come.
Continuing the Connection
While I’m stepping back from active board service, my connection to this organization runs too deep to sever completely. I’m honored to remain involved as a member of the advisory board, where I can continue to contribute to an organization that will always be near and dear to my heart.
The Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund represents something truly special—the belief that education can unlock potential, that investing in young people creates ripple effects that extend far beyond any single scholarship, and that Dr. Dunham’s legacy of intellectual courage and global perspective continues to inspire new generations.
Gratitude and Best Wishes
To my fellow board members, past and present, thank you for your dedication, wisdom, and friendship. To the staff and volunteers who make our work possible, your commitment is invaluable. And to the scholars—past, present, and future—you are the reason we do this work, and you continue to inspire us every day.
As I look back on these six years, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity to have played a small part in continuing Dr. Stanley Ann Dunham’s remarkable legacy. The future is bright for this Fund and for all the young scholars whose dreams it will help make reality.