1. Seattle Colleges home page
  2. About Seattle Colleges
  3. Leadership and Organization
  4. Chancellor’s Office
  5. Chancellor's Councils and Committees
  6. Chancellor’s Advisory Council

Chancellor’s Advisory Council

Purpose of Council

The Chancellor’s Advisory Council (CAC) convenes respected education, business, governmental, civic, and community leaders to help advance the mission of Seattle Colleges.

CAC members serve as liaisons between Seattle Colleges and broader community, advocate for Seattle Colleges, and provide the Chancellor and his executive leadership team with feedback and counsel in an advisory capacity.

Past Councils focuses include effective legislative relations, direction for the district’s five-year strategic plan, the name change to Seattle Colleges and the rebranding effort, new BAS degrees, Allied Health programs at Pacific Tower, closer collaboration with the Seattle Public Schools, Seattle Promise, capital campaigns, etc. The council also offers valuable advice on the job market for new graduates.

Participation Format

Members participate in three-four breakfast meetings during the academic year, from 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. Each meeting includes district and college updates by the chancellor and college presidents followed by a focused discussion. CAC members will learn about district initiatives and significant happenings. Members can also request specific updates or presentations. The meetings will be held at Seattle Colleges facilities and breakfast and parking are provided. During the current pandemic environment, the Council will be held virtually. 

A Critical Partnership 

Despite the unprecedented economic boom taking place in Seattle and the King County region, there are thousands of young people who need postsecondary credentials to obtain living-wage paying jobs. Many businesses are experiencing difficulties recruiting local talent. The growing gap between the privileged and under-privileged populations is real in our region. Seattle Colleges plays a critical role in raising the education level and contributing to workforce and economic development in our region. 

We are committed to being a solution and a force of economic development, but we cannot do it alone. Public and private partnerships and business and education coalitions are more important than ever before. Working together is the sure way to create lasting wins for students, businesses, and Seattle’s communities. I trust that you agree that this is important work and hope that you will decide to serve on the Council.

2020-2021 Council Dates 

  • October 21, 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.

  • December 9, 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.

  • February 17, 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.

  • May 19, 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.

October’s meeting will be held via zoom. All other meetings will be determined as the date gets closer and will follow Covid-19 group gathering protocols.

CAC Membership

Henry Aronson, President, HMA Consulting, P.S.

Suzie Burke, President, Fremont Dock Co

Daryl Campbell, President & CEO, Seattle Goodwill

Dwane Chappelle, Director, Department of Education and Early Learning, City of Seattle

Suzanne Dale Estey, Principal, Dale Estey Partnerships, Strategy & Results

Michael Davie, Director of Programs, Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County

Ryan Davis, Executive Director, Seattle Jobs Initiative

Diane DeBacker, Chief Academic Officer, Seattle Public Schools

Dan Dixon, Retired Vice President of External Affairs, Swedish Medical Center

Jean Floten, Senior Consultant, Academic Search, Inc.

Bill Grinstein, Former Chair, Seattle Colleges Foundation

Matthew Haughton, Workforce Development Advisor, Office of Economic Development, City of Seattle

Susan Hutchison, Former Chair, WA State Republican Party

Joe Jahn, Former aerospace executive, current Seattle College Foundation Board member

Erica Johnson, Education Policy Advisor to Mayor Durkan, City of Seattle

Michaelann Jundt, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, University of Washington

Sanjeev Khanna, Vice President, Region Life Cycle at Oracle Cloud Infrastructure

Fred Kiga, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Vigor Industrial

Jim Kranick

Andrew Lofton, Executive Director, Seattle Housing Authority

Lisa Macfarlane, Retired State Director, Washington Democrats for Education Reform

Sandra E. Madrid, Ph.D, Retired, Assistant Dean, University of Washington School of Law

Bernadette Merikle, Executive Director, Community Center for Education Results

Michelle Merriweather, President & CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle

Steve Mullin, President, Washington Roundtable

Bryan Pannell, Director of Performance & Sector Partnerships, Workforce Development Council of Seattle & King County

Anne Redman, Partner, Perkins Coie LLP

Paul Rucker, Vice President, UW Alumni and Stakeholder Engagement

Mary Jean Ryan, Senior Public Policy Advisor, Dabob LLC

Bill Stafford, Senior Advisor, Nyhus Communications

Karl Stickel, Director of Entrepreneurship & Industry, Office of Economic Development, City of Seattle

Bruce Strothers, Insurance Agent, State Farm

Marielle Trumbauer, Outreach Coordinator, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal

John Welch, Superintendent, Puget Sound Education Service District

Sherry Elane Williams, Regional Director Community Health Investment, Swedish Medical Center

Nancy Yamamoto, Direct of Workforce Development, City of Seattle

Evelyn Yenson, Retired, Consultant and Special Projects