Program Officer Lace Lawrence enjoys a whale watching tour off the New Jersey Coast.
Lace Lawrence (she/her) joins us as Program Officer on the Grantmaking team. We asked Lace 10 questions to find out more about her background, community, and how she connects to our work at Inatai.
Name: Lace Lawrence
Pronouns: she/her
Role: Program Officer
Home County: Kittitas County
1. What are three words that describe you?
Tenacious, empathetic, and curious.
2. What is the “long story short” of how you landed at Inatai?
After graduating from Washington State University (WSU) into a recession, I stumbled into philanthropy through a development job at the WSU Foundation. Raised in a family that deeply valued service, it turned out to be a perfect fit. I moved from university fundraising to grassroots nonprofits, to a role as a grant-writing and nonprofit consultant. Along the way, I joined grant review panels and held a director role at a family foundation, which showed me both the power and pitfalls of traditional giving. When Inatai launched, I was immediately drawn to its bold, community-centered approach, so when this Program Officer position opened, I jumped at the chance to help shift power to communities with Inatai.
3. What excites you most about being part of Team Inatai?
I am most excited to learn from communities across Washington that are building power and fighting for a more just and equitable future. In a time when progress is being rolled back, I’m proud to stand with and support those creating change. I’m especially inspired by the ecosystems of transformation communities are building—and honored to be part of that work. I am also blown away by the incredible people at Inatai and thrilled to be working alongside them.
4. Tell us about the community or communities you belong to.
I belong to many communities that shape who I am: I’m a First Descendant of the Yakama Nation with settler roots, a proud Coug, and deeply connected to the Yakima Valley. I played and coached women’s rugby for years and consider myself a rugger for life. I also come from a long line of ranchers and rodeo. I identify as queer and have found a home in the queer community.
5. Inatai’s strategies are underlined by a 50-Year Vision informed by communities. What is it about your community that keeps you hopeful for the future?
One of the things I love about Inatai is the focus on the Seven Generation Principle. I was raised with this belief and the more I see this principle and additional kinship principles taking up space in advocacy and community work, the more hope I have.
6. Finish this sentence: The Inatai value the most resonates with me is…
Abundance.
7. Who is your favorite Washingtonian?
I’m a bit obsessed with Brandi Carlile—not just her music, but her collaborations and the people she uplifts. The Highwomen is a brilliant feminist country project, and her work with Tanya Tucker and Joni Mitchell is inspiring. Her activism through the Looking Out Foundation makes her even more admirable.
8. Where is your favorite place in Washington?
I grew up in the Yakima Valley with family ranches spread from Toppenish to White Swan. Driving the back roads of the Valley with the window rolled down just taking in the smells of the sage brush and the crops will always be my happy place.
9. What is the last thing you read, watched, or listened to that you would recommend? Why?
I’m a voracious reader and usually have a few books going at once. Right now, I’m working through Kinship: Belonging in a World of Relation, a beautiful essay collection co-edited by Gavin Van Horn, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and John Hausdoerffer exploring how we’re in relationship with the world and each other—it’s hopeful and grounding. For fiction, I loved The Book Censor’s Library by Bothayna Al-Essa, a satirical dystopia with Wonderland vibes. It dives into banned books, memory erasure, and the resilience of stories—a powerful reminder of imagination’s role in resistance.
10. What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
I love to be with nature—skiing, biking, hiking, and paddling are my go-tos. I write creative nonfiction prose and poetry, with occasional publication. Making art is a joy, even when it’s messy. I’m always trying new forms, and right now I’m really into pine needle basket making. I grew up riding horses and jump at any chance to get back in the saddle.
