Summary:
YouthCare, a Seattle-based provider of housing and shelter for youth experiencing homelessness, has announced a six-member transition team to guide the organization through a period of strategic realignment and renewed focus. The team, led by interim CEO Marty Hartman, will develop a 60-day plan to ensure long-term sustainability and refocus YouthCare's programmatic priorities and financial systems. The strategy is expected to be shared publicly by October. The leadership transition comes at a time of increased pressure on social service organizations to adapt to shifting funding environments and rising community needs.
YouthCare, one of Seattle’s largest providers of housing and shelter for youth experiencing homelessness, has announced a new six-member transition team tasked with guiding the organization through a period of strategic realignment and renewed focus.
The team will lead efforts to refocus YouthCare’s programmatic priorities and financial systems to ensure alignment with the organization’s core mission of supporting unhoused youth.
YouthCare has served unhoused youth in Seattle for over 50 years through housing, education, and employment programs. The organization was founded to prevent the trauma caused by youth homelessness and has since expanded to operate a network of shelters and outreach services.
Marty Hartman, a longtime leader in regional homelessness services, will serve as interim CEO and lead the transition team.
“I’m so grateful for the staff and volunteers who are working diligently to carry out YouthCare’s mission for so many years,” said Hartman. “I’m looking forward to joining them and the rest of the transition team in further strengthening that mission and guiding the organization into the future.”
Hartman brings over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, including 24 years as executive director of Mary’s Place, where the organization grew from a $32,000 budget to over $30 million. Hartman also served as King County social entrepreneur at the Schultz Family Foundation, coordinating youth-focused services across the region.
Joining Hartman are five community leaders with expertise in housing access, youth services, philanthropy, nonprofit finance, and equity-centered human resources:
• Alison Dean, a strategic operations leader with experience in housing partnerships and nonprofit systems change
• Jackie Liao, an advisor in social impact and global philanthropy, formerly executive director of the Starbucks Foundation
• Rob Stewart, a nonprofit executive with experience in youth homelessness and family services, most recently executive director at New Horizons
• Kristi Tollner, a finance and operations leader with experience aligning infrastructure with mission during periods of growth
• William J. Wiggins, YouthCare’s current chief people and culture officer with a background in DEI-focused HR leadership across multiple sectors
The team is developing a 60-day plan in collaboration with YouthCare’s staff and board to ensure long-term sustainability. The strategy is expected to be shared publicly by October.
“YouthCare has grown for decades to meet the needs of young people experiencing homelessness,” said Becka Johnson, board president. “This transition is a chance to re-focus resources on the programs that make the greatest impact in young people’s lives. I’m grateful to Marty and the transition team for their dedication to ensuring YouthCare continues its mission with strength and clarity for years to come.”
The team is also engaging with city and county leaders, unhoused youth, and supporters across Seattle.
“As part of that commitment, this team will work with staff, board, youth clients, and partners to share information honestly and transparently, work collaboratively to make hard—but necessary—decisions, and ensure that the organization is on solid footing to continue operations sustainably into the future,” said Hartman.
The leadership transition comes at a time of increased pressure on social service organizations to adapt to shifting funding environments and rising community needs. YouthCare’s leadership views this period as a chance to evaluate existing systems and make strategic choices for the future.
“I am so grateful for the staff and volunteers who have worked diligently to carry out YouthCare’s mission for so many years,” said Hartman in a message to the community. “They will continue to be an important part of revitalizing the organization so that it may continue to serve hundreds of unhoused youth every year.”
“Stability and hope are not just within reach for YouthCare—they are ahead of us, because this community believes in our mission and in the limitless potential of the young people we serve,” added Hartman.
