Board of Directors
Wider Horizons is led by an 11-member Board of Directors and an Executive Director. An active and involved membership serves on task forces and committees and generates and carries out specific program activities.
A resident of Seattle for over four decades, Denise Klein is known for her blend of visionary leadership and ability to generate practical solutions to complex human and organizational problems. Denise’s professional experience includes:
- Executive Director of Wider Horizons: Central Seattle’s Village for Life
- CEO of Senior Services [now Sound Generations] for 10 years
- Member and officer of national, state, and local Boards of Directors of numerous non-profit organizations
- Consulting nationally for 13 years
- Led the King County Area Agency on Aging for 12 years
- Recipient of the American Society on Aging’s Leadership Award in 1994
- Selected as the first Distinguished Area Agency Director by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging in 1985
Board Members
Nancy Hooyman, PhD
President
Active WH member; gerontologist; Professor and Dean Emeritus, School of Social Work, UW
Term 2 (of 2); Elected 2021, ends 2026
Audrey Hansen
Vice President
Active WH member; administrator; retired from Seattle Public Utilities
Term 1 (of 2); Elected 2023, ends 2028
Denise Lishner, MSW
Secretary
Active WH member, medical researcher, retired from UW
Term 2 (of 2) Elected 2020, ends 2025
Jeanne Marie Thomas, MSW
Treasurer
Active WH member; aging specialist; former Executive Director of NEST Village
Term 2 (of 2); elected 2021; ends 2026
Susan Adler
Director
Active WH member; retired Nonprofit Executive Director
Term 2 (of 2); Elected 2020,; Ends 2025
Joe Garcia
Director
Active WH member; retired public administrator, City of Seattle
Term 1 (of 2); Elected 2024; Ends 2029
Barbara Oswald
Director
Active WH member; non-profit ED; college administrator, disability activist, artist
Term 1 (of 2) Elected 2023; Ends 2028
Valerie Costa
Director
WH member; non-profit management consultant
Term 1 (of 2); Elected 2024; Ends 2029
John Rochford
Director
Active WH member; specialist in aging & transportation; retired as administrator for King County Metro
Term 2 (of 2); Elected 2021; Ends 2026
Nancy Robb, MPA
Director
Active WH member; administrator, retired from Seattle City Light
Term 2 (of 2); Elected 2020, ends 2025
Debbie Ward
Director
Active WH member; 45-year career working with engineers and scientists; currently coach to non-profit leaders and facilitator of “Next Steps” workshops
Term 1 (of 2); Elected 2024, ends 2029