We are excited to introduce Dr. Chiyo Crawford as ECOSS’s next Executive Director!
Chiyo is a holistic and relational leader who has dedicated her career to advancing racial and environmental justice. She brings depth of knowledge and experience in anti-oppression work. Most recently, Chiyo served as Associate Director for Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, where she provided strategic leadership in all aspects of the nonprofit, including strategic planning, operations, fundraising, financial management, and more. Before that, she was Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Hobart & William Smith Colleges focusing her research and teaching on environmental justice. She holds a Ph.D. from Tufts University and B.A. from the University of Washington.
Complementing her professional experience, ECOSS staff and board are impressed by her thoughtful leadership style and focus on building relations within ECOSS as well as externally with partners and the larger community.
“The Board is elated that Dr. Crawford will be the new executive director. We honor her experience as an educator, a leader, and an administrator. We have every confidence in her ability to lead ECOSS with vision and compassion.”
Tisha Pagalilauan, ECOSS’ Board President
A second-generation immigrant herself, Chiyo understands not only the inequities that immigrants and refugees face, but also the potential for ECOSS to empower immigrant and Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color in self-actualizing sustainable solutions.
“As I engaged with ECOSS staff, I heard them talk passionately about working with community members furthest from environmental justice to promote community stewardship and equitable access to green spaces. I also heard them describe their colleagues as ‘loving and compassionate’ and ECOSS as a ‘healing’ place to work. The commitment of ECOSS staff to the mission and to each other really moved me. I am honored to be entrusted with leading this amazing organization. I look forward to working with you all to center the experiences of frontline communities, deepen ECOSS’s impact, and collectively achieve positive social and environmental change.”
Chiyo Crawford
ECOSS is a leader in providing environmental resources, education and technical assistance that meets people where they are. From rain gardens to outdoor recreation access to waste reduction education, ECOSS empowers thousands of business owners and residents throughout the Puget Sound region to be environmentally sustainable every year. We center language, culture, and individuals’ experiences in business settings, multi-family apartments, community spaces and more.
Chiyo brings the same community-centric values and warm approach that is the heart of ECOSS’ success. Her lived and learned experiences with the barriers immigrants and refugees face and her knowledge of environmental justice will take ECOSS to the next level.
We are thrilled to have Chiyo join the ECOSS family.