Announcing the Washington World Fellows program

Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib had the honor of recognizing Mimi Siegel, CEO of Kindering Center as Washingtonian of the Year, and Treehouse as Organization of the Year on behalf of the Association of Washington Generals (AWG). These two awards are presented annually to parties who have had a substantial positive impact on Washington State.

Washingtonian of the Year – Mimi Siegel, CEO of Kindering
Mimi Siegel has led Kindering, the largest and most comprehensive neurodevelopmental center in the Northwest, for 40 years. Kindering provides services for nearly 4,000 infants, toddlers, and their families each year. Due to the effectiveness of their early intervention programming, 99 percent of children who participate in Kindering’s programs make measurable progress in development, and 45 percent of children who receive therapies no longer need special services after they graduate at age three.

“When Mimi joined Kindering, it was a modest non-profit in Bellevue serving a small group of local families,” said Lt. Governor Habib. “Now, Kindering changes lives by the thousands throughout our state with its enlightened approach to intervention through education and therapy for children with disabilities. In her career, Mimi has exemplified the compassion, confidence, and determination that makes us proud to recognize her as ‘Washingtonian of the Year.’”

Organization of the Year – Treehouse
As an organization, Treehouse works tirelessly to ensure that children who experience foster care have the resources and support they need to succeed. In 2012, Treehouse set a goal to improve the 49 percent graduation rate of foster care children by equaling or improving the state rate of 82 percent. By 2016 Treehouse’s extended graduation rates for foster youth were 89 percent, seven percent above the Washington State average. In addition to their work on graduation, Treehouse also provided essential services to 7,200 youth experiencing foster care.

“Treehouse was selected for the Organization of the Year Award based on its tireless commitment to building a more equitable system for foster kids throughout our state,” said Mike Flood, VP of Community Relations for the Seattle Seahawks and Chair of the Association of Washington Generals. “Treehouse’s efforts to create a world in which every child – regardless of where they grow up — has the opportunity to pursue their dreams gets to the heart of what this award represents.”