On Monday, Plymouth Housing announced the appointment of Karen Lee, a C-Level executive experienced in business leadership, non-profit leadership, and government leadership, as their new CEO. The current CEO, Paul Lambros, will move on to other projects after 29 years of visionary leadership, building Plymouth from grassroots to an organization of scale delivering an innovative, nationally recognized model of permanent supportive housing.
Lee arrives to Plymouth with broad experience in both the public and private sectors, most recently as CEO of Pioneer Human Services, an organization with a mission of assisting individuals who have a history of incarceration and addiction. Previously, she has served as a cabinet member and agency director under Governor Christine Gregoire. She also served four years in the U.S. Army, as the Director of Gas Operations at Puget Sound Energy, and early in her law career, as an associate of the law firm K&L Gates.
A Washington native, Lee is also an active member in our community. She is currently a member of the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and University of Washington Foundation boards, and she is a Corporate Director at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Northwest Natural Holdings, and Lease Crutcher Lewis. Her list of accomplishments is long and what is constant throughout her distinguished career is her commitment to serving others and making it possible for everyone to lead a life of dignity.
“I am thrilled to be joining Plymouth during this time of tremendous growth and change, and I look forward to getting to know our dedicated staff and community of residents,” Lee said in a statement to the Plymouth Board of Trustees and staff. “Plymouth’s work is unique and vital in our region, and it inspires me that we are a model to other housing organizations throughout the country and world. I am honored to build on Paul’s legacy of advocacy on behalf of Plymouth and those we serve as Plymouth’s next CEO.”
According to their board of directors, the mission to end homelessness and provide safe, quality supportive housing will remain the cornerstone of Plymouth’s work, as this announcement comes after a national search led by members of the board, staff, civic leaders, and community members who have knowledge on housing, homelessness, and human services.
“Hard as it is to imagine Plymouth without Paul Lambros, the mission and values of the organization he has built will remain unchanged,” said Lainey Sickinger, Plymouth Housing Board of Trustees President. “Plymouth will continue to provide innovative, cost-effective, and compassionate care. Plymouth will continue to move people out of homelessness, permanently. The Board is confident that Karen is the leader to provide dynamic, thoughtful and experienced leadership as we move into the future.”
