The Board of Governors of Seattle CityClub, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving this region’s civic health, recently announced the appointment of Alicia Crank as executive director. Crank will become the fifth executive director since the organization was founded in 1980.
A native of Detroit, Crank spent 18 years in the Bay Area before moving to the Greater Seattle area in 2014. During that time, she held several leadership positions in corporate banking, education, business and the nonprofit sector in Silicon Valley. She began her career in investment banking and cash management, moved into the high-tech industry then eventually into the nonprofit sector as an executive director of a community leadership program as well as nonprofit philanthropy. In her community volunteerism, Crank has worked with organizations that serve special needs children, the homeless, workforce and career development and helped organize a city-wide renters/tenants association.
“I am beyond honored to have been selected as Seattle CityClub’s new Executive Director,” said Crank. “Civic engagement and fostering civil discussions on challenging topics has been a passion of mine for years, and I look forward to being able to lead these efforts on a regional level in an accessible and inclusive manner. I hope to see as many of you as possible at our upcoming programs and events.”
As a seasoned nonprofit and development leader, Alicia Crank to head organization, Crank most recently served as the Chief Development Officer for AtWork!, a highly supportive and innovative conduit between people with disabilities and employers in the community. Prior to that role, she was a leader in major fundraising and partnership roles at YWCA Seattle King Snohomish, CityYear Seattle and Washington Business Week, where she was one of only a few women of color in corporate philanthropy.
Crank has served on several boards and commissions centered around zoning, land use, environment, community media, ethical community fundraising, equity and inclusion. She currently serves as chair of the City of Edmonds Planning Board as well as chair of the Snohomish County / Paine Field Airport Commission. In addition, she’s a board member of the Hazel Miller Foundation.
Crank is recognized as an impactful community leader and speaker. In 2019, she founded Edmonds International Women’s Day, where there 2021 Keynote Speaker was Sue Bird. She moderated the popular Black In Edmonds discussions during the height of the pandemic, and has been a lead presenter at several conferences including the AFP Advancement Northwest Annual Conference and Forum for Strategic Fundraising, University of Washington’s Fundraising Management Program and Leadership Snohomish County’s Step Up Conference. In 2021, Alicia was honored as a Community Leader Finalist at the GSBA Business and Humanitarian Awards as well as a 2021 National Organization for Women – Seattle Chapter (NOW Seattle) Shero Award recipient.
