Fabiola Greenawalt

One of Fabiola Greenawalt’s favorite quotes is from fellow Nicaraguan civil rights activists and Nobel Prize Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum. It says: “Peace cannot exist without justice, justice cannot exist without fairness, fairness cannot exist without development, development cannot exist without democracy, democracy cannot exist without respect for the identity and worth of cultures and peoples.”

As senior program officer for The Russell Family Foundation, Greenawalt has been inspired by those words and has been driven to excellence throughout her career. In her role, she leads and implements strategies that advance the mission of the foundation and supports grantee partners through two of the foundation’s programs.

The Russell Family Foundation was founded in 1999 following a sale of the family investment firm, The Frank Russell Co., based in Tacoma, to Northwestern Mutual Life. Jane and George Russell used a portion of those proceeds to establish the foundation, a philanthropic funding source to make a “quiet, sustained and positive” impact on the community. Based in Gig Harbor, the foundation is heavily focused on addressing the climate crisis through investment strategies, operations and grantmaking. Greenawalt is one of six staff members, reporting to a board of directors that includes multigenerational family members and community partners.

Originally from Guatemala, Greenawalt has lived in Gig Harbor for over 30 years. She’s spent 14 of those years with the foundation, where she currently leads two programs — Food for Climate Solutions, which addresses climate change by investing in sustainable farming, land stewardship and equitable access to locally grown food; and Environmental Education, which supports youth outdoor education experiences.

Her career in the nonprofit and philanthropy sector spans more than 20 years, during which she’s focused primarily on environmental and social justice causes. Greenawalt has a passion for worksites where lived experience and lifelong learning are part of staff development and credits both with helping her collaborate with the foundation’s grantee partners more authentically.

“Fabiola brings a remarkable blend of passion, dedication and wisdom to The Russell Family Foundation,” says foundation CEO Kathleen Simpson. “Her leadership and lived experiences enrich our initiatives in regional food systems addressing climate and environmental education, fostering trusted relationships with our grantees built on trust and shared purpose. Her leadership drives our programs forward and cultivates an environment where all voices are valued. We are proud to have her on our team, making a tangible impact across our community.”

Why TRFF

I was drawn to TRFF because of its authentic commitment to environmental and social justice. The foundation’s values align closely with my own, particularly when it comes to supporting historically excluded communities and making a tangible impact on climate change. The chance to work on these critical issues with a focus on local communities is what motivated me to join.

The Importance of the work

TRFF’s work is crucial because it addresses the region’s most pressing environmental and social challenges. From fostering sustainable agricultural practices to supporting outdoor environmental education, we’re creating pathways for resilience in our communities. We also prioritize equity, aiming to uplift historically marginalized groups and empower them to shape their own futures.

Best part of the role

The best part of my job is working with passionate grantee partners who are driving change at the grassroots level. I get to see firsthand the innovation and dedication that goes into building a more sustainable and equitable community. It’s rewarding to support their efforts and help bring their visions to life.

Biggest Challenge

One of the biggest challenges in achieving our goals is balancing the desire to support a wide range of initiatives with the need to make a deep impact. We often have to make tough choices about where to allocate resources to achieve the greatest long-term benefit, and that requires ongoing strategic thinking and collaboration.

Best Compliment

The most meaningful compliments often come from our grantee partners, who tell us that our approach makes them feel trusted and valued. When a partner says they feel empowered to do their best work because of our support, that’s the highest praise we can receive.

Things I Can’t Live Without

I can’t live without my close relationships with family and friends, the beauty of nature and a strong cup of coffee to start my day.

Ways to Relax

To unwind, I enjoy taking walks, knitting and watching old movies. Being in nature helps me reset and reconnect with my purpose, and I recently started practicing mindfulness to clear my head.

Hobbies and Interests Outside of Work

My husband and I have some fruit trees in our garden, and I enjoy experimenting with different food preservation techniques, such as making jams, dehydrating and baking with them. I also like fishing, clam digging and traveling to new places. Throughout the year, I always make time to attend a few concerts and listen to music from my younger days.