Pamela Banks became the second woman in the history of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (ULMS) to hold the position of President and CEO in 2012. She continues the nearly 90 year-old legacy with programs and services that focus on reducing economic and social disparities in education, employment, housing, and health focused on African Americans and underserved communities in Seattle and throughout the Puget Sound Region. During her tenure, she has increased the organization’s operating budget from just under $400,000 to over $2 million. Prior to joining ULMS, Banks built a reputation for making city government more accessible to underserved residents, community organizations, and small businesses. Throughout her 30 year tenure with the city, she launched her career as a community organizer and became the director of community outreach senior policy advisor to Mayor Greg Nickels. During her time with the City of Seattle she helped facilitate and implement several neighborhood improvement projects including the establishment of the Columbia City Farmer’s Market. In addition, she served as a lead for the City of Seattle Race and Social Justice Initiative and the citywide Youth Violence Prevention Initiative. Pamela currently serves on the Executive Committee for the Alliance for Education, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for the Downtown Seattle Association, the Washington Technology Industry Association, and is a lifetime member of the University of Washington Alumni Association, as well as serving as the President of her condominium association. A 39 year resident of Seattle, Banks earned her B.A. from the University of Washington. She has one son and is a long-time resident of Seattle’s vibrant and diverse Central District.