The Issaquah Schools Foundation has continued to impact and serve more than 20,000 students in partnership with the Issaquah School District for the past 30 years by helping drive resources and aiding students to reach the promise of their potential.

That’s what drew new Issaquah Schools Foundation Executive Director Liz Swanson to the organization.

“It’s not often you get the chance to be part of something that really has a chance to make a difference in the lives of all the kids in the school district, as well as help advance education at the foundational level,” Swanson said.

Swanson has spent more than half of her career in higher education advancement, working with universities. It was almost 10 years ago that she migrated into community-based nonprofit work.

For the Issaquah Schools Foundation, Swanson said, “It’s about creating limitless opportunities that inspire students on their personal path to success. My goal in my time here is to raise the level of funds and the awareness and value of what this foundation brings to the community.”

Swanson is highly passionate about students having access to opportunities that will help them grow and thrive. She has seen the benefits of her kids being involved in extracurricular activities, but recognizes that not every family has the funds. She sees school as a time for kids to be able to try things out, and not letting a fee for an activity or trip to the state championships stop them. The foundation is all about helping the kids of the district to have those opportunities that can help shape them.

Outside of her work, Swanson enjoys cheering on her daughter at softball, good conversation over food and wine with family and friends and exercising so she can enjoy the good food and wine. Her son is a senior at Washington State University and her daughter is a junior at Skyline High School.

Swanson’s family moved to the Sammamish plateau 17 years ago.

“We had options to move, but we stayed,” she said. “We liked the community and great quality of life, and what makes a great quality community are great schools.”

The foundation is wrapping up its strategic planning process and working out details.

“I think this is a really wonderful organization that over the last 30 years has had tremendous impact on our community, and it’s only been able to have that impact because so many people in the community have supported it,” Swanson said. “It’s through the donors that all of this happens. We are grateful for the community’s support.”