Solynn McCurdy, an accomplished local leader is Seattle, has been named the new chief executive officer of Social Venture Partners Seattle (SVP Seattle), the largest network of engaged philanthropists in the Northwest.
McCurdy brings more than a decade of experience forging partnerships across sectors, activating the community and leading grantmaking programs to address our region’s most pressing issues. His tenure initiates an exciting next phase for SVP Seattle.
Since 1997, SVP Seattle has worked with more than a thousand people – transforming how they give and investing $16 million and more than 35,000 skilled volunteer hours in local nonprofits and collective action initiatives. In this, SVP Seattle is committed to a bold vision of a Puget Sound where everyone thrives regardless of income or race.
“I’m honored and privileged to lead a great team and network of individuals that are committed to social change,” says McCurdy. “SVP and all of its partners have made significant inroads in helping to better lives, experiences and opportunities in our region. The fact that we’re evolving and adopting new ways of engagement is not just exciting, but essential in building the stability we need in every aspect of our community.”
As a senior leader at Premera Blue Cross, McCurdy developed and launched the company’s corporate giving program to improve health equity in Alaska and Washington. His efforts engaged hundreds of employees in volunteer projects in partnership with Seattle Works and United Ways of King, Snohomish and Spokane Counties. His also helped established new partnerships with a myriad of social service agencies, including Hopelink, NeighborCare Health, and Sound Mental Health.
This experience and his passion for social impact are some of the reasons Shefali Ranganathan, executive director of SVP Investee Transportation Choices Coalition and a community advisor on the hiring team, is excited to work with McCurdy
“I am delighted that Solynn McCurdy will be SVP’s next CEO,” she says. “He impressed me with his thoughtfulness and commitment to the community. I am excited to see SVP grow and thrive under his leadership.”
Prior to his time at Premera, McCurdy shaped engagement strategies at Seattle University, Washington STEM and Alliance for Education, cultivating relationships with community-based organizations, school districts and key stakeholders in the corporate, local government, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. His efforts resulted in the organization of Seattle University’s Income Inequality Symposium, a partnership with the Seattle Mayor’s Office and over 550 local, regional and national leaders that helped inform the passage of the $15/hour minimum wage legislation in Seattle.
“Solynn’s wealth of experience and expertise cultivating changemakers, coupled with a deeply-rooted commitment to the Puget Sound region makes him an exciting new leader for SVP,” says SVP Board Chair Mike Cadigan.
McCurdy will begin work at SVP Seattle on Aug. 1.
