Honoring local changemakers
Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County
Robert Cannon’s journey with the Boys & Girls Clubs began in 1991 when he first attended the Club as a child. As a teen, he began giving back to his community, volunteering over 4000 hours of community service and earning Youth of Year while still attending high school.
Driven by this passion for youth and community, Robert became the full-time Athletic Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County (BGCSC) to provide a safe haven and enriching programs. In 2013, Robert transitioned into the role of Unit Director at Granite Falls, where he developed comprehensive programs that served over 10,000 members.
The BGCSC is dedicated to enabling all youth, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Robert’s dedication and leadership embodies BGCSC’s mission and vision. Now an integral part of the BGCSC Resource Development Team, he has dedicated over 20 years to the organization. Robert mentors and teaches all 26 Unit Directors, guiding their success in their communities. His mentorship has guided both youth and staff, making a profound impact on their lives.
Robert’s story is a testament to the power of mentorship and community involvement, inspiring others to make a difference in their own communities.
Overlake Medical Center
Caitlyn Zavaglia, a charge nurse in Overlake’s Emergency Department, exemplifies the core values of Overlake Medical Center & Clinics. Since graduating nursing school 14 years ago, Caitlyn has been a beacon of compassionate care, helping patients in their most vulnerable moments. Her unwavering dedication is a true reflection of Overlake’s mission to provide high-quality, patient-focused care.
Overlake Medical Center & Clinics, located in the Eastside, has been a major regional medical hub since 1960, serving 200,000 people annually. Last year, Overlake provided $19 million in free and reduced-price care for low-income patients and aims to surpass that this year. Caitlyn’s journey at Overlake underscores the importance of compassion and commitment in healthcare. She finds immense reward in delivering critical care and making a tangible difference in patients’ lives. “People come into the emergency department at their worst, asking for our help. It is so rewarding when we are able to deliver and make that difference,” Caitlyn shares.
Caitlyn’s story is a source of inspiration, highlighting how excellence in nursing—combined with dedication and empathy—provides the healing environment every patient needs. Her work serves a daily reminder of the importance of high-quality, patient-centered care at Overlake.
Kindering
Gabby Robl’s journey with Kindering is a testament to the power of early support. Born at 36 weeks and later receiving a rare genetic diagnosis, Gabby experienced developmental challenges from the start. At 15 months old, she enrolled in early support services at Kindering, receiving physical, speech, and occupational therapies, as well as attending Stepping Stones, Kindering’s inclusive toddler preschool. After turning three, Gabby continued with Kindering’s KidsClinic pediatric therapy program.
Founded in 1962, Kindering serves over 8,000 children (under age 11) and their caregivers annually, providing a wide range of services, including developmental evaluations, pediatric therapies, early learning services, and family support.
Today, Gabby is thriving, and she celebrates the dedicated care and tailored support she received at Kindering. Gabby confirms, “Kindering helped me, because I couldn’t learn how to tie shoes by myself because of my hand strength, but now I can. They also helped me with my speech because I couldn’t talk at all when I started going there. I also got to practice my preschool skills early, by going to Stepping Stones. This anniversary gift from Microsoft is going to help Kindering provide services and support for even more kids in 2025. Thank you!”
Her mother, Amy, recalls how Gabby took part in her Kindering preschool classes, learning how to follow directions and participate in group activities like circle time while in Stepping Stones. Most importantly, Kindering helped Gabby build confidence and strength, preparing her for life beyond Kindering. Now a senior in high school, Gabby is active in Special Olympics and serves as a Kindering spokesperson, advocating for early support and pediatric therapy.
Gabby’s story highlights the profound impact of Kindering’s services in a child’s lifelong learning experience.
YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties
Chris Spivey, the Senior Executive Director of the YMCA Center for Community Impact, is a passionate advocate for “building healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.” With 17 years of service, he’s a familiar face in the Tacoma community, dedicated to making a difference.
Under Chris’ leadership, the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is a vibrant hub for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Each year, they serve over 130,000 individuals, with more than 35,000 youth actively involved in programs that foster connections and support. In 2023, the YMCA raised over $2.1 million, ensuring that more than 20,000 people had access to life-changing programs.
Chris believes that values such as care, honesty, respect, and responsibility are vital to creating a positive impact. Through programs like the Tacoma Summer Late Nights, the YMCA nurtures strong connections and promotes wellness among local youth. The organization is also embracing technology to advance its mission, teaming up with the YMCA of Greater Wichita to launch Y360, an online platform for classes and activities. Together, Chris and the YMCA are working hard to create a healthier, more connected future for everyone.
PAWS - Progressive Animal Welfare Society
“Every animal deserves a chance to thrive,” says Anthony Denice, Wildlife Naturalist at the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). With a deep commitment to rehabilitating orphaned and injured wildlife, Anthony plays a critical role in returning thousands of animals to their natural habitats each year.
PAWS’ mission is clear: to help cats, dogs, and wild animals go home and live happy, healthy lives. Anthony takes on the incredible responsibility of finding suitable new homes for over 160 different species every year. Since its founding, PAWS has united more than 150,000 cats and dogs with loving families and cared for over 160,000 sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife.
But their work doesn’t stop at rehabilitation. PAWS educates the community through youth workshops and in-classroom programming, fostering a sense of compassion for all living creatures. Anthony’s passion for animals and devotion to raising awareness strengthens the bond between the organization and the community.
To maximize their impact, PAWS embraces technology, using tools like Microsoft Copilot to craft engaging bios for adoptable animals. Through these efforts, Anthony and the PAWS team continue to make a significant difference in the lives of countless animals and the people who care for them.
UNCF-United Negro College Fund
Jada Yamashita is a young woman of color with a dream—a dream to become a doctor and make a difference in the world. As she juggled an overwhelming load of homework, exams, and extracurriculars, she was driven by one goal: to get into college and pursue her passion for healthcare. Like many students from underrepresented communities, the path wasn’t easy, but Jada refused to let those challenges stand in her way.
With the support of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Portfolio Project, Jada gained the guidance and resources she needed to navigate college applications and scholarships. Her hard work paid off when she was accepted to Spelman College, where she is now studying to become a doctor.
Founded in 1944, UNCF has raised $5 billion supporting over 500,000 students, helping them succeed and become leaders in their fields. Their mission is to create a strong pipeline of underrepresented students who become highly qualified college graduates. Each year, UNCF awards more than 12,000 scholarships and provides financial support to 37 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Over the past eight decades, UNCF has more than doubled the number of minority students attending college. To further expand inclusive educational opportunities and address the digital equity gap, UNCF is leveraging world-class cloud technology to build and launch HBCUs, a virtual learning platform specifically designed for HBCUs.
Inspired by her experience, Jada is now committed to helping others navigate their educational journeys. Jada’s story is a testament to the transformative impact of programs like UNCF and the vital role of partnerships in empowering underrepresented students.
Girl Scouts of Western Washington
Nikhita P’s journey is anything but ordinary. A newly minted Girl Scout alum and passionate aerospace enthusiast, she’s already achieved things many can only dream of. As a Girl Scout, Nikhita’s love for aviation took flight when she joined the WING Girl Scout Squadron in 2021. WING is a unique, year-long program where Girl Scouts dive into the world of aviation and aerospace—exploring careers, meeting industry experts, and even getting hands-on flying experience. For Nikhita, “finally being around individuals who were equally passionate about space and aviation as I was” brought her immense joy and inspiration during her time with WING.
Throughout her Girl Scout years, Nikhita won an essay contest that earned her a patch flown to the moon on an Artemis mission. She also copiloted a plane and gave a TEDx Talk about her Gold Award project on the digital carbon footprint. These experiences helped fuel her dream, and today, Nikhita is studying astrophysics at Caltech.
As she continues to soar in her academic and professional journey, Nikhita is determined to inspire others to chase their passions—just like she did. Her story shows the power of programs like Girl Scouts, which not only ignite curiosity but also provide the mentorship and opportunities needed to shape a brighter future.
Microsoft Alumni Network
The Microsoft Alumni Network believes that everyone thrives when the whole community is connected. Its mission is to empower all Microsoft alumni to achieve more by staying connected to technology, intellectual curiosity, social impact, and, most importantly, the people.
"We are not just alumni, we are a network of changemakers, using our skills and experience to continue the work of shaping a better world. We are entrepreneurs, tech innovators, career professionals, nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and lifelong learners. I'm proud that we get to share alumni stories, celebrate their legacies, facilitate connections for business, social impact and fun — and inspire others to give back to their community." – Manuela Papadopol
Over the years, the Alumni Network has granted $5 million to alumni-supported organizations. This is a testament to the collective force of the alumni community to help shape a better world.
While independent from Microsoft, the Alumni Network is closely aligned to Microsoft’s mission and priorities. Collaborations on initiatives have included the Hackathon, Microsoft for Startups, and AI skilling reaching over 3,000 Microsoft alumni in 2024. Recognizing the need to extend AI skilling in the nonprofit sector, the Alumni Network’s vision is to empower select nonprofit organizations with the tools and knowledge to harness AI effectively. Microsoft and the Alumni Network will continue the strong partnership and collaborate on making an even bigger impact in the community.
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