Uplift Northwest welcomes Gina Hall as new Executive Director

Uplift Northwest, a 100-year-old Seattle nonprofit providing job opportunities to men and women experiencing poverty and homelessness, has selected Gina Hall to become their new Executive Director starting in November 2020.

Hall is a South Seattle native with years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Most recently, she served as Vice President, Community and Donor Relations at Seattle Goodwill where she fostered a culture of philanthropy and created the annual Glitter Gala, Seattle Goodwill’s flagship fundraising event that raised over half a million dollars in 2019. Prior to her 13 years of service at Seattle Goodwill, Hall served as Resource and Community Development Director at Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association.

As Hall transitions into her new role at Uplift Northwest, she is excited to lead an organization that recently underwent a full rebrand (formerly Millionair Club Charity). She believes the launch of the new name and new brand presents the perfect opportunity to showcase a century of crucial work that’s been carried forward by a strong staff, a committed Board of Trustees and a mission that has legacy in this region.

Uplift Northwest has provided job opportunities and job-readiness support services to men and women experiencing poverty and homelessness since 1921. The organization provides jobs to over 1,000 men and women annually in addition to preparing workers through job training, work certifications, career coaching, work clothing, meals, hygiene services, and additional medical support through community partners.

Uplift Northwest Board President Chris Gehrke says of Hall, “She has a demonstrated history of successfully working with the local community while creating an inclusive and engaging environment for staff, volunteers, donors, and clients. We are excited to have her uplifting personality and ideals leading us into the next 100 years of success as an organization.”

Hall explains, “I’ve always been passionate about rebuilding, realigning, and restructuring programs and organizations. Uplift Northwest is a bit of a secret in this region, but it’s a force to be reckoned with. I’m excited to reintroduce this mission to the community, and I know it’s going to be a rewarding and fulfilling endeavor.”

No stranger to hard work or overcoming barriers, Hall is the oldest of three siblings and daughter of two African American Louisiana-born parents who fled the institutionalized racism and oppression of the Jim Crow laws in the South. Hall’s parents each worked multiple jobs, and they often supported extended family members in their home. Thanks to her parents as role models and the greater opportunities afforded to BIPOC men and women in the Pacific Northwest, Hall now lives with the understanding that all human beings, no matter their background, want many of the same things, like a decent job, to take care of their families, and to do well by themselves.

Hall will become the first African American woman Executive Director at Uplift Northwest, and she intends to prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in all work moving forward. She believes it is a privilege to serve those who have been underrepresented, and says, “We need to build one unified voice that recognizes the value of what diversity brings to our community.”

Uplift Northwest’s organizational model has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Hall is prepared to adapt. She recognizes that while some jobs and companies are no longer available to Uplift’s workers as career opportunities (hospitality, event staffing, etc.), there are emerging job fields that are relevant to this new economy. Hall will be working to assess Uplift Northwest’s job training programs to ensure workers have the best opportunity to both help themselves find viable employment and help best serve their community’s needs.

Hall will work to build partnerships in both the public and private sectors so that Uplift Northwest can leverage its skills with organizations who can help achieve employment and economic stability in the region. She wants to grow awareness for Uplift Northwest as a community partner that bridges the needs of individuals with the needs of community partners.

“This work is critical. It is urgent. And we are well-positioned to be a leader to provide hope, training, and sustainable employment opportunities,” Hall continued. “This work is going to take all of us, and we are here to stay.”

Hall extends an invitation to the community to get reacquainted with Uplift Northwest, join the cause, and help serve the individuals who are living in poverty/experiencing homelessness.

As a privately funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Uplift Northwest relies on donations, grants, and support from community partners to provide its services free of charge to clients. 

For more information about Uplift Northwest please visit www.upliftnw.org or email [email protected].