Richard (Dick) Lee

Schoolkidscomefirst.com, a project co-developed by Dick Lee (Ballard HS '61), is an outgrowth of his active involvement in fundraising and the building of community partnerships that have benefited the students of the Seattle Public Schools for nearly 15 years. His leadership has helped to establish foundations, sports booster clubs and advisory panels that continue to generate involvement at many schools. Dick's extensive background in hospitality and special events has lent expertise and coordination to a wide variety of fundraising events including auctions, golf tournaments and special celebrations. His work is driven by the need to make a real difference for students, to enhance their opportunities and encourage their academic achievement, especially at the underserved schools of the Seattle district.

Rich Carr

Rich Carr became passionate about school related giving through his wife, a school teacher. Having seen the compassion she placed on her job, and the kids in her classroom, he used his background in technology, media and marketing to co-develop Schoolkidscomefirst.com with Dick Lee in an effort to enhance the educational process for all school kids through the caring and giving nature of people just like you.  By combining successful convergence marketing techniques using online and offline medias in conjunction with eachother - methodologies he's developed and applied for entities such as Clear Channel Communications, Paul Allen's Rose City Radio/Digital and a myriad of public and private entities - school children will receive the benefit of what Rich believes to be the future of public/private partnerships and citizen philanthropy. 

Rich owns and operates the advertising and marketing firm of Carr Knowledge in Seattle and Portland, is a decorated veteran, and resides on a horse ranch with his wife and four children...all attending public schools.

Jonathan Hughes

Jonathan Hughes has been a community and school activist for many years. As a general practice attorney in the Central Area of Seattle, his work includes advising non-profit organizations and providing pro bono legal services. Jon's volunteer services have focused on building relationships between school and community and benefiting the most important folks--the students. He currently serves on the board of several community organizations: as president of the Community Day School Association (CDSA), a 26-year old organization that provides quality childcare opportunities in the south and central area Seattle public schools, as president of the Cherry Street Association, a non-profit organization focused on economic development, crime, ?= A safety and community issues in Seattle's Central District and on the board of the Seattle Little League.

Ann Goos

Ann Goos is one of the first financial donors to Schoolkidscomefirst.com. She is a supporter of public schools and passionate about education, from pre-school through higher education. She taught public school in rural Washington for seven years and then worked in increasingly responsible positions in public policy related to the environment. Ann ran the 2004 Seattle School Levy campaign, which resulted in a historic 78% yes vote for the Operating levy and 74% yes vote for the capital levy. She is Vice President of the Ingraham High School Foundation and serves on several Boards including the Agricultural and Forestry Foundation Board and the Arboretum Foundation Board. Though Ann has no children of her own, she is deeply committed to ensuring that every child in Seattle has the best opportunities to thrive in the classroom and in his or her school. She is married to David Thorud, who is currently the Acting Provost at the University of Washington and a long-time top administrator at the UW. She lives in Magnolia and is a fourth generation Washingtonian.

Mary Bourguignon

Mary Bourguignon of Steeple-jack Consulting provides a range of services for clients engaged in high visibility public policy projects. Mary has particular expertise in education, and has developed curriculum and coordinated special projects for a number of local school districts, the Seattle Alliance for Education, and the State of Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Some of the education projects Mary has coordinated or developed curriculum for include: APL Boomerang Box Project, Seattle Oral History Project, TransEd Project, WTO Trade Winds Project, Journeys Project, and the Magnuson Partnership.

Marjorie Goldfarb

Marjorie Goldfarb is a freelance writer and editor working primarily with non-profit organizations and small businesses. She has been involved with community non-profits for many years and has an intense interest in and concern for Seattle public schools. Marjorie is the parent of a Seattle public school graduate and has been a classroom volunteer and a PTSA board member in the public schools. She has also taught both pre-school and university students.