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.

Louise Chernin appointed to Gender Equity in Pay Task Force

Louise Chernin, CEO and President of GSBA, has been appointed as a member to Seattle's Gender Equity in Pay Task Force. The task force is in response to recent findings by the National Partnership for Women and Families (NPWF) that Seattle has the largest gender wage gap in the nation.

After conducting an internal audit following NPWF's findings, the City of Seattle discovered a 9.5% wage gap at City Hall. The city employs around 10,000 workers and the average salary difference equates to $16,346 a year.

After conducting an internal audit following NPWF’s findings, the City of Seattle discovered a 9.5% wage gap at City Hall, with women being paid 73 cents on the dollar compared to men. The city employs around 10,000 workers and the average salary difference equates to $16,346 a year.

The task force will review data on the gender pay gap and develop proposals to assure more equitable wages among City government employees and contractors, as well as improve economic security for all working women. Task force members include representatives from academia, the legal field and other city-level commissions focusing on women’s issues. It is  co-chaired by Julie Nelson, director of Office for Civil Rights and Patricia Hayden, YWCA director of specialized and integrated services.

GSBA President & CEO to serve on Governor-Elect's Transition Team

GSBA President & CEO Louise Chernin has been asked to serve on Governor-Elect Jay Inslee's transition team.  She will join a team of 33 other leaders chosen for their experience, expertise and perspective. Co-chaired by Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith, Renton School District Superintendent Mary Alice Heuschel and Washington State University President Elson Floyd, the Governor-Elect has sought out leaders who "embodied the spirit of innovation."

"My administration will be focused on growing Washington's economy, improving education, reducing health care costs and making state government more efficient and more effective," said Governor-Elect Inslee in his announcement of the full team on Tuesday. "The team we've assembled represents both sides of the Cascades, our key industries, and people with experience both inside and outside government. I look forward to their engagement and appreciate their willingness to serve the state." 

"I’m honored to have been named to sit on the Governor’s Transition Committee," says Chernin. I look forward to working with the broad spectrum of people coming together on the Transition Committee to share diverse perspectives, skills and connections with Governor-Elect Inslee as he prepares to lead our state. The challenges we face as a state are great, but by bringing all our voices around the table, there is huge potential to transform education, environmental stewardship and create new living wage jobs." 

Louise Chernin has been the President & CEO of the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) since 2002.  Chernin was the National Chair of the Council on Chambers and Business Organizations, the affiliate branches of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. In 2008, she was honored by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) with its Leadership Award and also named by the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of the top 20 most influential women in Puget Sound.

Seattle Storm Stats

(Louise Chernin with Lauren Jackson (LJ) celebrating her 10 years in Seattle)

Best WNBA record: 24-4 (in position to end season w/ best record ever)

· Undefeated at home: 15-0

· Clinched home court advantage in Western conference

· One game away from clinching home court advantage in potential Finals

· LJ having a MVP season

Games remaining:

· 88/17 - Storm vs Minnesota @ 7PM

· 88/21 - Storm vs. LA @ 8PM (*new time*)

Use link below to get your discounted tickets.
http://www.wnba.com/storm/pride.html
promo code: pride