Photo: Jorge Gutierrez (at front) speaking at an Inatai gathering in Spokane. Photo: Uly Curry
Five years ago, Jorge Gutierrez made the choice to move across the Columbia River and join our Washington-based foundation as a Program Officer. Today, he serves as a Senior Program Officer at Inatai where his rich knowledge of community-led organizations helps in his grantmaking duties as a key member of the Strategy & Impact team. We asked Jorge five questions to commemorate his five years with us.
1. Where is your favorite place in Washington?
Being near the water is where I feel most at peace. Our state is blessed with stunning beaches, lakes, and rivers; each more majestic than we often realize. I strive not to take for granted that I live on lands that have been cherished by Indigenous peoples since time immemorial and I feel incredibly fortunate to call this beautiful state my home.
2. Which Inatai value resonates with you the most?
Joy has always been a core value that resonates deeply with me. In our line of work, we often face significant challenges and serious issues. While it’s important to approach these with the gravity they deserve, we must also remember the immense joy that lies at the heart of the communities we serve. Celebrating this joy not only helps us overcome obstacles, but also drives us toward realizing our shared vision for these communities.
3. What is an important lesson you learned over the last five years?
As a former executive director at a nonprofit, I brought a mix of positive and challenging experiences in philanthropy to this role. While we may not always get everything right, I’ve learned from working here that many of the negative experiences I’ve encountered could have been avoided. Every day, I am proud to be part of a team committed to making the grantmaking process as smooth and low-barrier as possible. This doesn’t mean we don’t make mistakes, but it does mean we continually learn from them and strive to improve the experience for the organizations we work with.
4. Share a community power-building story that has stayed with you during your time at Inatai.
A few years ago, I visited Comunidades sin Fronteras in central Washington and had the honor of meeting their founder, Leticia Rivera, over a meal. To my surprise, more than 15 volunteers, all wearing matching t-shirts adorned with their organization’s logo, joined us. They made me feel so welcome and seeing their solidarity and enthusiasm, coupled with their stories of community empowerment, left a lasting impression.
5. Finish this sentence: The best view in Washington is …
from the lighthouses at Cape Disappointment on a stormy day.
