United Way’s New Board Chair and New Board Members
United Way of King County is honored to announce that board of directors’ member Luis Masieri has been named the organization’s new board chair for the fiscal year 2024, which began on July 1. Masieri is a principal product manager at Microsoft and a former Free Tax Preparation Campaign volunteer. He succeeds outgoing chair Maud Daudon.
United Way also announced five new members to its board of directors: Doug Baldwin, Jr., former Seattle Seahawks star and chief executive officer of Vault 89 Ventures; Seattle Police Department Chief Adrian Diaz; Cherry Street Coffee House owner Ali Ghambari; Denise Pérez Lally, a community organizer and advocate; and Shomari Jones, director of equity and strategic engagement at Bellevue School District.
In 2014, Masieri was introduced to United Way of King County through its Free Tax Prep program and volunteered to help Spanish-speaking, low-income individuals and families file their tax returns. Masieri joined the organization’s Emerging Leaders 365 giving community, which is a group of professionals who are passionate about making a difference in our area.
Ultimately, Masieri accepted an invitation from United Way to join its board of directors and then served as vice chair.
He is at the forefront of United Way’s work to provide services and advocacy for King County families who need it most.
“I have continued to be increasingly involved in United Way,” Masieri said, “because their mission is so well-aligned with my values and what I hope to help others achieve.”
The new members bring many years of leadership as well as experience serving in both the public and private sectors.
They include Baldwin, who was campaign chair at United Way during the 2022 fiscal year. Baldwin continues to partner with United Way for the Annual Community BBQ, this year slated for August 12 at Renton Memorial Stadium.
A philanthropic activist, Baldwin recently opened the Family First Community Center, which brings quality recreation, education, and wellness programs and services to the historically underserved communities in Renton.
In addition to Baldwin:
Diaz has been a member of the Seattle Police Department for more than two decades. Diaz began his career in Police Patrol, the Mountain Bike Unit, and the Anti-Crime Team before joining the Investigations Bureau.
Diaz is a Master Defensive Tactics instructor at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission and has authored publications on community policing.
Pérez Lally has spent her career working to prevent displacement, create new economic opportunities, improve educational outcomes, and promote equitable community development. Pérez Lally has spent more than 25 years working in federal and local governments and nonprofits in King County.
She served as the director of social services at El Centro de la Raza and director of operations at Mary’s Place Seattle.
Pérez Lally has developed culturally specific programs for youth and families that have served Latinx, AfroLatino, and African Diaspora immigrant and refugee communities.
After completing technical school, Ghambari discovered his passion for serving others and building a better community through his work in the hospitality industry. Ghambari ventured into entrepreneurship in the late 80s and ultimately established Cherry Street Coffee House.
In 2005, Ghambari founded the Iranian American Community Alliance, a non-profit organization focused on mentoring Iranian American youth and fostering pride in their heritage. He received the Spirit of Liberty award from the Seattle Foundation in 2015.
Working within and between the fraught social, emotional, and political fault lines of equity work in public schools, Jones designs and facilitates thoughtful professional development in the Bellevue School District that nurtures impactful conversations around racial inequity, inequality, and the over-arching impact that institutional racism has on students of color.
Jones developed several student empowerment initiatives like Students Organized Against Racism, Breaking Out of the Margins, and Sistah’s Having Outstanding Uniqueness Together, as well as parent advocacy groups like the Parent Alliance for Black Scholars.
Join us in welcoming United Way’s new leadership!
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