Edgar Martinez
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Edgar Martinez made his major league debut with the Seattle Mariners in 1987. His exemplary 18-year career with the Mariners included seven All-Star appearances.

Edgar and his wife Holli have long been involved in the community. Edgar was honored for his many contributions of time and resources with an induction into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in 2007. Both Edgar and Holli have supported many non-profit organizations and charities, such Children’s Hospital, Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, Ronald McDonald House, Hopelink and Powerful Schools.

Currently, he is the CEO of Branded Solutions by Edgar Martinez.

Holli Martinez
Co-Founder and Executive Director

Holli Martinez has been a community volunteer for more than 10 years. In 2006, Holli returned to school at the University of Washington and graduated magna cum laude in 2008. Since graduating, she has assumed the executive director position for The Martinez Foundation in addition to continuing her studies as a graduate student in the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Affairs.

Holli’s passion for education is a driving force in The Martinez Foundation, and her main focus has been collaborating with the foundation’s university partners to develop support programs that will enable and sustain teachers of color to teach in underserved areas.

Nancy Abramson
Community Volunteer

Nancy Abramson is a well known community volunteer. Nancy is currently president of the board of Seattle Arts and Lectures and serves on the advisory council for the Women’s Cancer Center at Swedish Hospital. She is also on the steering committee for the Women’s Wellness Luncheon, as well as the planning committee for Celebrate Swedish, their annual fundraising gala.

Nancy’s previous board memberships include co-president of ALS Health Support Services, special events vice president for the Mt. Baker Community Club, board member and PFSA co-president of the Bush School, and the development council for Powerful Schools, an organization for which she has also been a classroom tutor.

She received her B.A. in English and education from Western Washington University.

Julio Carranza
Yakama Nation

Julio Carranza is the lead attorney for the Yakama Nation, located in Eastern Washington. Previously, as an attorney at Williams, Kastner & Gibbs, he represented Native American tribes, governments and corporate clients in civil litigation, regulatory disputes and public policy matters.

In addition to serving on the board of The Martinez Foundation, Julio is the current president of the board of directors for The Mockingbird Society, an organization whose mission is to build a world-class foster care system through collaboration, innovation and advocacy. He is also an appointed member of the Washington Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care.

Julio holds a J.D. from Brigham Young University and a B.A. in political science from Idaho State University.

Jerry Hardt
UtilX

Jerry Hardt joined UtilX in 2007 as the vice president of finance and accounting. Prior to joining UtilX, he was in the technology industry as the director of corporate finance with Expedia.com, a NASDAQ 100 corporation and the world's leading online travel company.

Jerry holds an Executive M.B.A. from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Central Washington University.

Charlene Lee
Community Volunteer

Charlene Lee has provided years of community service and support to several organizations throughout the Greater Seattle area. Charlene serves many hours volunteering at the Puget Sound affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She also sits on the board of trustees for the Seattle Art Museum and is a current member of Seattle Children’s Hospital’s “Circle of Care,” an annual giving program and major gifts club.

Currently, Charlene actively supports the Japanese Community Cultural Center and the expansion of the Nisei Veterans Community Hall, Kin On Health Care Center and Seattle Chinese Historical Gate.

Fred Rivera
Perkins-Coie

Fred Rivera is a partner at Perkins-Coie law firm in Seattle. He represents corporate clients in litigation and government enforcement matters.

Fred holds memberships with the American Bar Association and the Washington State Bar Association, and served a two-year term as the regional president of the Hispanic National Bar Association. His volunteer experience includes a three-year term as a board member for the Rotary Boys and Girls Club.

Sue Schmitt
Professor and Dean of the College of Education, Seattle University

Sue Schmitt has served as dean of the College of Education since 1996. Prior to her appointment, she was the dean and a professor in the College for Human Resources at the University of North Dakota, where she also served as associate vice president for academic affairs and was responsible for the design and implementation of the Center for Instructional Technology.

Additionally, Sue has served at the University of Wisconsin, Stout, as deputy vice chancellor and professor of rehabilitation, department chair and director of the Independent Living Center. She also served as the administrative associate to the vice president for academic affairs of the University of Wisconsin System Administration.

Sue received the outstanding alumni award from Viterbo College and was a Leadership Fellow at Mississippi State University. Her doctorate was funded through a Bush Leadership Fellowship.

Pat Wasley
Dean of the College of Education, University of Washington

As the dean of UW’s College of Education, Pat works collaboratively with the board of deans and chancellors, fellow deans, the provost and the president towards the constant improvement of academic programs, research and community engagement.

Pat serves as the president of the Washington Association of Colleges of Teacher Education and the originating Principal Investigator and current executive team member for Teachers for a New Era. She was named a Distinguished Lecturer at University of Wyoming and the National Staff Development Council and has written extensively on education issues.

Pat received her Ed.D. in policy, governance and administration with superintendent and principal credentials from the University of Washington. She holds an M.A. in English, a Standard Certification for K-12 and a B.A. in English from Western Washington University.