Jay fosters and maintains relationships with communities and grantees across Washington state in order to advance Inatai Foundation’s grantmaking and advocacy strategies. A veteran of the Pierce County nonprofit ecosystem, he has worked every position, from front-desk receptionist to board member. Most recently, Jay served as Executive Director of the Rainier Foothills Wellness Foundation, building, supporting, and mobilizing the community to address issues like hunger, healthcare access, and student success. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director of Peace Community Center in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood. Jay has earned a Master’s in nonprofit leadership from Seattle University after earning a Bachelor’s in social work from the University of Washington.
Jay is also a musician and has been playing the piano since age six. In addition to producing music for artists across a range of genres, Jay has produced two of his own instrumental jazz albums. He lives with his college sweetheart in Bonney Lake and loves to travel, solve Sudoku puzzles, and spend time with his family.