Press Release: Louise Chernin Appointed to Seattle Colleges Board

Longtime Business and Community Leader Appointed to Seattle Colleges Board
 

Seattle—Louise Chernin, president and CEO of the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA), has been appointed to the Seattle College District Board of Trustees by Gov. Jay Inslee, effective Aug. 1, 2015.

“The GSBA is the largest LGBT Chamber of Commerce in the U.S. and a well-known advocate for business and civil rights,” says Chancellor Jill Wakefield. “One of the things that makes Chernin and her organization special is their scholarship work. Since 1990, the GSBA has given more than $2 million to 450 LGBTQ students in Washington—many of the recipients being Seattle College students. Her combination of leadership, business savvy, community outreach, and commitment to education makes her an ideal member of our board.”

Chernin will serve as one of five members of the Board of Trustees. Appointed by the governor, trustees are responsible for overall policy and leadership of the colleges. They serve five-year terms and must be confirmed by the state Senate. Chernin’s term ends Sept. 30, 2019. She is replacing Courtney Gregoire, whose term has expired.

Prior to her 13-year career at GSBA, Chernin served as vice president for Shirley Bishop Inc.

She was recently appointed to the Seattle mayor’s Gender Pay Equity Task Force and currently sits on the mayor’s LGBT Task Force. She is also a board member of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

Chernin’s dedication and commitment to the community are widely recognized. She received the Leadership Award from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and has also been named one of Puget Sound Business Journal’s Women of Influence. In 2010, the Economic Opportunity Institute honored Chernin with its Aubrey Davis Award for Progressive Leadership, and in 2011, Rep. Jim McDermott honored her with his Community Leadership and Service Award. The Seattle Storm honored Chernin with its 2013 Inspiring Women Award, and in January 2015, the University of Washington Women’s Center honored her with its Women of Courage Award.

Chernin holds a B.A. in sociology and psychology from City University of New York.

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About Seattle Colleges

The Seattle College District is Washington state’s largest college district, with nearly 50,000 students enrolled each year. It is composed of Seattle Central College, North Seattle College, South Seattle College, Seattle Vocational Institute, and four specialty centers. The district offers more than 135 workforce education and training programs that lead to bachelor’s degrees in high-growth industries, associate degrees in various disciplines, certificates in professional technical programs, and transfer degrees to universities throughout the United States.