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Six Months In: A CEO’s Reflections on Growth and Gratitude

Tricia Speid welcoming guests at Stand UP & Cheer
Palmer Scholars CEO Tricia Speid - Greeting guests at Stand Up & Cheer


Six months ago, I stepped into the role of CEO with deep gratitude and a clear sense of purpose. What I didn’t yet know was how quickly I would come to love this work, not just for the mission, but because of the people. Every scholar, every partner, every community member I’ve had the honor to meet has reminded me why Palmer Scholars exists: to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity.


Since arriving, I’ve spent much of my time listening and learning about our history, our hopes, and the power of our shared commitment. I’ve met with families, funders, scholars, and alumni. I’ve worked alongside our team to begin stabilizing internal systems, streamlining communication, and strengthening our financial foundation. We celebrated a major milestone through our Stand Up and Cheer fundraiser, which brought together an incredible network of supporters and affirmed the power of collective generosity. And we created space for reflection and connection by hosting our first staff and board retreat under my leadership, an opportunity to assess where we are, acknowledge the challenges we’ve faced, and begin shaping where we’re headed.


We know this work doesn’t happen in a vacuum. At a time when the political climate is increasingly uncertain, and when equity, education, and opportunity are being questioned or constrained in ways that directly affect the young people we support, our mission feels more urgent than ever. That’s why we remain committed to not only preparing our scholars to thrive, but also to helping them navigate and shape the world they are inheriting with confidence, courage, and care.

As we move into our next phase of work, I remain steadfast in my commitment to strengthening Palmer Scholars’ foundation, from the systems that hold us up to the relationships that move us forward. We’ll continue deepening our roots in the community, trying new approaches, and reflecting on how we can grow, individually, as a team, and as an organization.


Thank you for being part of this journey. I’m honored to lead this work, and I look forward to what we will create together.


With gratitude

Tricia Speid, CEO, Palmer Scholars

 SUPPORT OUR MISSION TODAY!

Palmer Scholars acknowledges that our work is carried out on, and our office space is located within, occupied Coast Salish land, specifically that of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. We pay respect to Coast Salish Elders past and present and extend that respect to their descendants and to all Indigenous peoples. To acknowledge this land is to recognize its longer history and our place in that history; it is to recognize these lands and waters and their significance for the peoples who lived and continue to live in this region, whose practices and spiritualties were and are tied to the land and the water, and whose lives continue to enrich and develop in relationship to the land, waters, and other inhabitants today.

 

We also pause to recognize and acknowledge the labor upon which our country, state, and institutions are built.

We remember that our country is built on the labor of enslaved people who were kidnapped and brought to the U.S. from the African continent and recognize the continued contribution of their survivors. We also acknowledge all immigrant labor, including voluntary, involuntary, trafficked, forced, and undocumented peoples who contributed to the building of the country and continue to serve within our labor force. We acknowledge all unpaid care-giving labor.

 

To the people who contributed this immeasurable work and their descendants, we acknowledge our/their indelible mark on the spaces in which we operate today. It is our collective responsibility to critically interrogate these histories, to repair harm, and to honor, protect, and sustain this land.

Physical Address - 

4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW BLDG 16

Lakewood WA 98499-4004

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Phone -

Tricia Speid (CEO) (253) 617-5676

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Mailing Address - 

PO Box 7119, Tacoma, WA 98417

Email - info@palmerscholars.org

To contact someone directly visit our staff page here: Our Team

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