The WASHINGTON STATEment

October 2025

As the academic year begins, the Washington State Leadership Board (WSLB) is excited to reconnect and share what lies ahead! Ahead, we’ll dive into the details of our agency initiatives for the year and reflect on the work completed by our programs over the summer. With so much to look forward to, let’s get started!

New Executive Director Appointed & Farewell to two Board Members

In April 2025, the WSLB announced the recruitment of a new Executive Director. Following several months of recruitment, interviews, and student panels, we are thrilled to share that Laura Armstrong has been appointed as Executive Director (with the approval of Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck), effective October 1st. Laura brings an extensive background in community-based program development and nonprofit leadership to our team. Most recently, she led the environmental justice and HEAL Act implementation team at the Washington State Department of Commerce.

We are excited to welcome Laura to the WSLB team and will be issuing an official press release in the coming weeks to provide more insight into Laura’s background and passion for the WSLB. Laura expressed her gratitude with the following statement:

I am thrilled to join such a competent team working to ensure Washington’s next generation of leaders has the support, tools, and equitable access to unique development opportunities. WSLB’s programs resemble many life-changing experiences I’ve had in my own life – I’m grateful to be able to pay it forward.

Want to meet Laura? Click here to set up a time.

While we celebrate Laura's arrival, we also acknowledge the remarkable contributions of our departing board members:

• Suzanne Ames, a member of the Compassion Scholars Committee

• Joshua Cunningham, a member of the Boundless Washington Committee.

We are incredibly thankful for their support on the Leadership Board.

2026 Legislative Session

Looking ahead, the WSLB has begun preparations for the upcoming legislative session. As responsible stewards of state funds, the WSLB will not seek additional funding from the legislature, given the state budget deficit. Instead, we will focus on:

• Developing strategies and creative solutions to maintain and sustain our current programs, and

• Highlighting the incredible work of our program participants and connecting them to leadership development opportunities through our annual Day on the Hill

Day on the Hill represents the culmination of our civic education program, where participants come together to engage directly with board members, elected officials, and legislators to discuss issues that matter to them. This event fosters meaningful connections and provides our program participants with firsthand experience in the legislative process.

Annual Writing Weekend Recap

This month, WSLB continued its commitment to providing hands-on support and opportunities for participants, as demonstrated by the success of the annual Writing Weekend, hosted on October 4th and 5th. Writing Weekend provides crucial support for program participants, particularly first-generation college students, helping them to present their best selves with confidence.

The annual weekend brings together high school seniors, staff, and dedicated mentors for two days of focused support on college applications and personal essays. Participants spent the weekend drafting, revising, and refining their materials with the guidance of volunteers and staff, gaining both practical skills and confidence as they prepare for the next step in their educational journeys.

Special thanks to the board members who volunteered – meeting one-on-one with students, offering feedback, and providing encouragement during this important milestone. For many of our participants, this opportunity is about more than just writing; it’s about access and empowerment. When given the chance, participants from our Washington World Fellow program shared their thoughts from this year’s Writing Weekend. One of them expressed gratitude for the valuable support they received, noting:

I really appreciated having a community that was dedicated and filled with resources to help me move along the grueling process of college applications. The extra assistance was very helpful.

— Jahaira, Washington World Fellows 2024 cohort

While another participant shared their highlights from the experience:

My favorite part was having a process I’ve been dreading turned into a really helpful experience. I really felt that the advice polished my writing and advanced me in regard to my essay!

— Josue, Washington World Fellows 2024 cohort

This summer, the current cohort of WA World Fellows embarked on their study abroad experience in Logroño, Spain, where they represented the state of Washington as young global leaders. During their time abroad, these fellows held the annual International Youth Summit, an incredible event where participants passionately shared their fears, hopes, and innovative solutions for the future. In collaboration with their counterparts from World Fellows España, participants created a bilingual digital magazine called Atlántica, where each student’s year-long community project is featured. Click the link to learn more!  Big thanks to the dedicated team at World Fellows España for ensuring such a successful and enriching program abroad.

Applications are now open for the 2026 cohort of WA World Fellows! This two-and-a-half-year post-secondary preparation and global leadership program includes leadership and advocacy training, academic mentoring, and a study abroad experience following participants’ junior year of high school.

WA World Fellows is open to Washington state residents who are currently high school sophomores. Learn more and apply at www.washingtonleaders.org/apply-to-wwf.

The current cohort of Compassion Scholars is progressing well on their projects. Here are a few highlights:

• Sofia is developing new mental health resources at her school. She is building a peer support network and launching an online platform to connect students with care.

• Gabriel is focusing on education advocacy through his work with Schools Out Washington and Jobs for the Future WA. He is creating presentations on charter school policy and seeking sponsorships to support his outreach efforts.

• Kieran is collaborating with SafePlace and other community groups to organize a supply drive for individuals experiencing homelessness and recovering from addiction.

• Isla has begun an internship with The Borgen Project, where she writes about poverty awareness and is planning a resource fair with World Relief Spokane to support immigrant and refugee families.

• Melinda is leading a series of domestic violence awareness workshops scheduled from October 2025 through April 2026. She plans to partner with the Emily Harris Foundation, YWCA Yakima, and the Zonta Club of Yakima Valley.

Each of these scholars exemplifies what it means to be a compassionate leader, demonstrating the creativity, resourcefulness, and determination that define the Compassion Scholars program.

In the year ahead, Compassion Scholars is implementing a new group-based mentorship model to foster deep collaboration and expand access to leadership experiences. Scholars will work collectively on a shared project theme, adapting it to meet the unique needs of their communities. The updated model will provide more Washington-based service opportunities and improve inclusivity. Cohorts will include three mentors and six scholars, with one returning mentor each year to guide new participants and maintain program consistency.

Applications for the 2026 Compassion Scholars cohort are now open. If you are interested in applying, please visit www.washingtonleaders.org/apply-to-compassion-scholars for more information.

Boundless Washington

Boundless WA Relaunches with New Opportunities for Leadership and Adventure 

We are thrilled to announce the revamped Boundless WA program, an initiative designed to empower participants with disabilities through leadership development, outdoor adventure, and adaptive sports. Our hope is to create a pathway where every participant can explore their potential without limitation. 

Boundless WA now offers grants to help participants overcome barriers that may prevent them from participating in outdoor activities, ensuring that every participant has the chance to experience growth, challenge, and joy while outdoors. In addition, the program expands beyond outdoor experiences to include leadership and advocacy training provided by the WSLB staff. Participants will have the opportunity to strengthen their confidence, teamwork, and voice as they learn to lead wherever their journey takes them.

Applications are now open! You can find more information and apply at www.washingtonleaders.org/apply-for-boundless-wa.

The Washington Leadership Awards

Nominations Opening Soon for the 2025 Washington Honors Awards

We are excited to announce that nominations for the 2025 Washington Honors Awards will open this December. Each year, we celebrate outstanding individuals and organizations whose leadership and service strengthen communities across the state. This year’s honors will recognize excellence in the following categories: Washingtonian of the Year, Organization of the Year, Justice for All, Legacy of Service, and Emerging Leader. 

Nominations will be accepted throughout the month of December via our website at www.washingtonleaders.org. We invite you to help us spotlight those making a difference by nominating a leader or organization that inspires you.

UNTIL NEXT TIME,