The Mockingbird Society seeks an Executive Director who understands what's at stake for young people in foster care and experiencing homelessness. If you've worked in these systems—or lived through them—you know how powerful it is when those with lived experience help shape the solutions.

At Mockingbird, young people drive our policy agenda and lead the advocacy that wins concrete victories. We've achieved over 70 major policy reforms, created Washington's Office of Homeless Youth, and expanded our MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ model internationally—because we center the voices of those who know these systems best.

As Executive Director, you'll work alongside 24 mission-driven staff members and a committed board who understand that meaningful change requires persistence, smart strategy and a team built on mutual support. This role puts you at the center of Washington's most important youth justice fights, from legislative sessions in Olympia to coalition building across communities most impacted by these systems. The work is challenging, but the wins are real—and they ripple out to transform thousands of lives.

If you're ready to lead an organization where lived experience drives meaningful change, where policy victories translate into better outcomes, and where your leadership can create lasting impact for youth affected by foster care or homelessness, this is your opportunity.

Applications submitted by October 23 will be given full consideration 

Interviewing is anticipated in mid November; early applications are strongly encouraged.

Salary Range: $165,000-$195,000

Organizational Overview

The Mockingbird Society has been transforming the foster care system and ending youth homelessness for more than two decades through youth-driven advocacy and innovative program models. Our mission is clear: we create, support, and advocate for racially equitable, healthy environments that develop young people at risk of or experiencing foster care or homelessness.

Our vision centers on ensuring that each and every young person, regardless of race and individual experience, reaches adulthood with an equitable opportunity to thrive. We achieve this through three core program areas.

• Youth Programs - Provide opportunities for young people with lived experience in foster care or homelessness to design and advocate for policy change. Through five statewide chapters, we elevate the voices of teens and young adults so they can collaboratively create informed solutions to the issues that impact them most.

• Public Policy & Advocacy - Work in partnership with our youth participants to activate the community, media, and policymakers while including young people at decision-making tables. Our annual legislative agenda is shaped by youth-led policy proposals, with young people approving the agenda and participating directly in advocacy during legislative sessions.

• MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ - Create an alternative to the traditional foster care structure that leads to higher foster parent retention and provides culturally relevant care. In these micro-communities, experienced foster parents provide support and guidance to 6 to 10 foster families, emulating the structure of an extended family. This innovative model is present through partner agencies in Washington, California, New York, Nova Scotia, the Netherlands, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Japan.

The Mockingbird Society's approach centers racial equity and the expertise of those with lived experience, recognizing that sustainable systems change requires the leadership of those most impacted by these challenges.

Commitment to Equity 

The Mockingbird Society recognizes that meaningful equity requires centering the voices and leadership of those most impacted by foster care and homelessness, particularly BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ young people who face disproportionate harm from these systems. We prioritize intentional partnerships with organizations embedded in cultural communities, ensure direct involvement of marginalized youth in our strategy and policy work, and maintain formal accountability structures including staff race equity caucuses, affinity spaces, and a comprehensive antiracism continuum that guides our hiring, partnerships, and program delivery. Our statewide model incorporates both in-person and virtual participation options to ensure geographic equity and accessibility for young people who are disabled, incarcerated, experiencing homelessness, or located in rural, suburban, or tribal communities. 

This commitment to authentic power-sharing and inclusive participation is fundamental to our mission and serves as the foundation for all organizational decisions and coalition building.

Opportunities And Essential Duties Of Position

This role offers the opportunity to lead transformative change in the ongoing fight for youth justice in Washington state. You will balance strategic external leadership with internal team development as you guide our organization forward during an exciting period of growth and strategic evolution, positioning The Mockingbird Society to expand its impact for generations of young people. 

Strategic Vision & Youth-Centered Advocacy You will guide The Mockingbird Society's strategic direction and priorities for its next chapter of growth, serving as a powerful champion for foster care reform and youth homelessness prevention, working directly with young people who have lived experience to shape policy and practice. Your responsibilities will include:

• Setting organizational vision and strategic priorities in collaboration with staff, board, and youth advocates 

• Leading advocacy efforts that center youth voices and elevate lived experience expertise in policy-making processes

• Building strategic relationships with policymakers, coalition partners, and communities directly impacted by foster care and homelessness

• Collaborating with young advocates across five statewide chapters to develop legislative agendas and drive policy victories

• Representing The Mockingbird Society in forums and networks to advance systemic change for vulnerable youth 

Organizational Leadership & Culture Building You will guide our purpose-driven team while strengthening internal alignment and fostering a collaborative, anti-racist organizational culture. In this role, you will:

• Partner with the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors to advance the organization's mission and strategic vision

• Lead efforts to co-create positive workplace culture, build systems for cross-departmental collaboration and communication, and channel staff passion into unified action

• Oversee staff development, performance evaluation, and retention strategies for our 24-member team, including 8 direct reports

• Support the continued evolution of our racial equity work, including serving as Co-chair of the Racial Equity Committee, ensuring it remains central to all operations and programs

Sustainable Resource Development & Operations You will ensure The Mockingbird Society's operational and financial sustainability while maintaining our commitment to youth-driven programming. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the development and implementation of a long-term diversified revenue plan that harnesses new funding opportunities and sustains our impact for years to come

• Oversight of our approximately $3.7 million annual budget, including complex grants and contracts

• Taking a leadership role in fundraising activities focused on foundation support, corporate partnerships, and diversified revenue streams, in collaboration with the development team

• Ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations while maintaining programmatic integrity

• Making strategic decisions about funding opportunities that align with our youth-centered mission and values

The Mockingbird Team

The Mockingbird Society team has a collaborative and relationship-focused work culture, where people genuinely care about each other and the young people they serve. We balance serious work with having fun together. We work across diverse programs but share a unified commitment to youth-driven change. We are:

• Youth-centered. We believe young people with lived experience are the real experts and consistently partner with them to shape policy and programs

• Committed to racial equity. We care about the voices of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities most impacted by foster care and homelessness

• Collaborative and approachable. We value open discussion across all levels and departments, with a culture where everyone is accessible and easy to talk to

• Mission-driven with heart. We work hard because we care deeply about creating systems-level change, while maintaining the energy and joy that makes this challenging work sustainable

The Leader We Seek

We are seeking a strategic and equity-driven leader who can navigate our complex landscape, while centering the voices of youth and young adults, to drive meaningful, long-term change. Our next Executive Director will bring a people-centered and pragmatic approach to lead a thriving, sustainable organization.  

• Deep knowledge of Washington’s foster care and youth homelessness ecosystem
  You bring solid experience navigating Washington’s landscape of foster care, youth homelessness, and related services impacting youth and young adults. You bring a highly relational approach, and understand the political context, advocacy efforts, government agencies, and community-based organizations shaping this landscape. Lived expertise and experience navigating foster care and youth homelessness is highly desirable in understanding and representing our mission and community. 

• Visionary & strategic nonprofit leadership
  You have led vision and strategy at the senior level, guiding organizations toward clear, long-term priorities. You bring experience aligning operations to strategic direction, and working closely with staff leadership and boards to drive sustainable, long-term impact.

• Experience leading diversified revenue & sustainable financial strategy 

You bring a demonstrated ability to design and oversee long-term financial strategies that ensure organizational sustainability. You have experience identifying and developing diversified revenue streams that advance mission priorities. You are a strategic thought partner to development staff, helping shape plans that align with organizational priorities and opportunities in the funding landscape. 

• Dynamic, compelling ambassador
  You excel at identifying opportunities for partnership, making a case for support and representing an organization’s interests in order to mobilize support from funders and partners. You bring exceptional relationship-building skills to foster trust, and inspire support.

• Collaborative & people-centered manager
  You bring strong experience developing and managing staff leadership teams, cultivating a joyful and accountable workplace culture where people are supported, aligned, and empowered. You set clear expectations, make transparent and inclusive decisions, foster professional growth, and lead with humility and self-awareness in navigating conflict and challenges.

• Organizational administration
  You bring experience overseeing nonprofit administration, and ensuring sound organizational systems. You understand nonprofit compliance, governance, and HR systems in order to support effective, equitable operations.

• Commitment to antiracism, equity, and belonging
  You have a demonstrated track record of advancing equity, internally to organizations and externally through programs, partnerships, and advocacy. You are equity-driven in your leadership and decision-making, and are unwavering in your commitment to creating an inclusive workplace and community.

Our ideal candidate embodies a grounded and adaptive leadership style that promotes resilience in the face of challenges, creates clarity, builds trust, and fosters shared ownership to drive solutions forward.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time salaried position based in Seattle, WA, with flexible work arrangements available. Frequent travel to Olympia, WA is required during legislative sessions, with occasional travel to partner locations and conferences. The hiring range is $165,000-$195,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The Mockingbird Society offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees, including: 100% employer-paid premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with minimal employee contribution ($25 per paycheck per person covered), 2 weeks of vacation for the first year  with accrual increasing with each service year (until the 5th year), 2 weeks of sick leave, 13 paid holidays, office closure/paid holidays from Christmas through New Year's Day, 401K match and an employee assistance program.

How to Apply

Online applications only, please no email or paper submissions.  You will be asked to upload a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please describe how your experience, interests, and values are a fit with The Mockingbird Society’s goals, mission, and vision as described in this announcement. 

Applications received by October 23 will be given full consideration; early applications are strongly encouraged!  All applications will be acknowledged via an email receipt. Consideration will be given to applications as soon as they are received; phone and in-person interviewing is anticipated to begin in mid November.  

Questions regarding this opportunity are welcomed and can be directed to:

Sumi Bhat-Kincaid

Sumi {at} cloversearchworks.com 

Clover Search Works facilitates leadership searches for nonprofit organizations whose missions strengthen communities. Clover is honored to be partnering with The Mockingbird Society in this search.

Posting Date: Sep 25, 2025