5 Questions: Alexandra Chase, SAL’s Donor Relations Associate
October 17, 2017
Meet Alexandra Chase, SAL’s brand new Donor Relations Associate! Alexandra, who goes by Alex, is passionate about relationship-building in the Seattle arts community, and she’s worked locally with AmeriCorps and nonprofit radio.
To introduce Alex to the SAL community, we asked her five questions about her new role on SAL’s development team, her hobbies – including ceramics! – plus, what’s on her nightstand . . .
Tell us a little about your career, pre-SAL. What have you been up to?
I originally moved to Seattle to serve as an AmeriCorps member and help run an after-school program in White Center. I fell in love with the city and really enjoyed working with youth and went on to become a full-time professional mentor to young girls. What I loved most about working with youth was the opportunity to build meaningful and authentic relationships. It was my passion for relationship-building that steered me in the direction of development work, as so much of working with donors is building relationships and creating community. Just before SAL, I was working in development at a local nonprofit radio station where I re-discovered my love for the arts.
What’s your new role with us? What about it is most exciting to you?
I’ve been brought on as the new Donor Relations Associate to assist with SAL’s development efforts. I’m most excited that my work here will combine my passion for relationship-building and supporting programs for youth, with my love of literature and the arts community. I really enjoy centering my work around the community-building aspect of fundraising, and I’m excited to see how we can build the SAL community even more and to find new and exciting ways to show our donors just how much we appreciate them and their support.
What are some of your favorite things to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I love practicing yoga (I am about to embark on a two-week yoga retreat in India), creating pottery pieces on the wheel, hiking and climbing, and reading! I also enjoy walking around different Seattle neighborhoods and exploring all that the city has to offer.
Which SAL authors are you most excited to see in our upcoming season?
I am most excited about Jesmyn Ward, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Gregory Orr, and Ijeoma Oluo.
What are you reading right now? What’s on your nightstand?
Currently, I’m reading Can’t and Won’t: Stories by Lydia Davis and Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs by Lisa Randall. I also always have a copy of Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur on my nightstand for those days when I just need to feel all the feelings through some amazing poetry.
Thanks, Alex, and welcome to the team!