The Lake Washington Schools Foundation will begin the upcoming school year with new leadership, promoting LeeAnn Wood to executive director and the election of new officers to its board of trustees, both occurring in June. The foundation raises funds to support academic excellence and success for all Lake Washington School District students, raising over $400,000 last year.

Wood has over 15 years of non-profit experience in the Puget Sound region. Before joining the foundation, she served as executive director of the Overlake Hospital Foundation and earlier, as vice president of development for Easter Seals of Washington, part of a national organization with a focus on early childhood education and K-12 special needs education.

A volunteer since childhood, Wood has served on community and professional boards throughout her career. Initially specializing in estate and gift planning, she established the endowment and planned giving program for the Union Gospel Mission in Seattle. She later focused her energy as the continuing education chair for the board of directors of the Washington Planned Giving Council, and as chairman of Leave a Legacy of Western Washington.

In June, the foundation also elected three new officers to its board of trustees. Former Vice President of Board Development Peg Hunt was elected to replace the outgoing board president of two years, Terri Blier. Current trustee Barry Shaw was elected vice president of board development and will work to increase the size and diversity of the foundation’s board. Current trustee Bob Guild will serve his second term as treasurer, and new trustee Kathleen Reynolds was elected secretary. All officers serve a one-year terms.