Press Release:
Health and human services expert Theresa Fujiwara has been named by Mayor Mike McGinn to The Seattle Public Library board of trustees. Fujiwara’s appointment is expected to be reviewed by the City Council’s Regional Development and Sustainability Committee on November 30.

Fujiwara, a Beacon Hill resident, has 35 years of experience in the public and private sectors in health and human services.

She currently works as strategy and policy adviser for the White Center Community Development Association, which is the designated lead agency for Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Making Connections initiative. Previously, Fujiwara was the site liaison for Making Connections at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, where she was responsible for the co-design, leadership and oversight of a community change initiative aimed at strengthening families and improving outcomes for vulnerable children.

She also spent seven years serving Mayor Paul Schell and Mayor Norm Rice, where she coordinated regional government relationships and executive policy oversight for health and human services. Fujiwara also was a founding member and executive director of Asian Counseling and Referral Service, a nonprofit human services group that serves the Asian and Pacific Islander communities of King County.

Fujiwara has served on numerous boards, including United Way of King County, the Japanese Americans Citizens League and Children’s Alliance.

The five-member citizen Library board of trustees is the governing body of The Seattle Public Library. Trustees are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Board members serve five-year terms without pay.

Fujiwara replaces Michael Parham, whose term ended in April 2010.