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THE ORGANIZATION:

Greentrike is a nonprofit organization in Pierce County, Washington that creates and connects families to high quality, playful experiences, guided by the belief that play is essential for learning, joy, and a thriving community.

Originally founded as the Children’s Museum of Tacoma in 1985, the organization changed its name to Greentrike in 2019, a change inspired by the growth of Greentrike programs that expanded beyond the wall of the Museum and into the neighborhoods of Pierce County. Greentrike is an advocate, practitioner, convenor, and coordinator.

Greentrike’s mission is to “Honor Children and Youth. Champion Play.” Their greatest ambition is that Pierce County is the best place for childhood. They believe children and youth are inquisitive, capable, compassionate, creative, authentic, and leaders. They believe that children should be at the helm of their learning journeys, that their learning and care environments should be play and inquiry based, and that the adults caring for them should be deeply interested in them.

Greentrike’s staff, board, and engagement with community is rooted in and guided by core beliefs:

We believe in…

Eternal optimism   

Inclusion, equity, access, and opportunity

The joy, wonder, and power of play

Building bridges, blazing trails, and fostering collaboration

Engaging minds, hearts, and voices

The right to kindness, beauty, and quality

Listening, measuring, learning, and improving

Greentrike is a thought leader with a reputation for high quality and intentionality, and is a trusted leader and partner in the community. The $5 million annual budget and staff team of 65-70 supports a wide range of programs, including:

• The Children’s Museum of Tacoma, featuring imaginative, engaging, and nature-inspired playscapes, an art studio, and a little library. The Children’s Museum of Tacoma celebrates 40 years of service to the community in 2025.
• The Children’s Museum at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), is the first and only children’s museum on a military installation. This location, which opened in partnership with JBLM in 2021, is specifically designed to serve military children and their families with an emphasis on early learners, those experiencing special needs, and the reintegration of military personnel into family life. The Children’s Museum at JBLM was honored with the national Fisher House Service Award in 2024.
• Pay As You Will admission, an innovative, donation-based model that has been nationally recognized for making both museum experiences accessible to everyone. This award-winning approach is the only one of its kind among children’s museums in the nation.
• A variety of outreach programs, including Play to Learn Pierce County, Preschool Powered by Play, Greentrike Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO), Greentrike Cares, and the Monarch Diaper Bank to increase access to vital child, youth, and family resources.
• The Child and Youth Centered Community movement is the backbone organization for a multi-sector community effort to make Pierce County more child-centered with the aim of being the best place to experience childhood.  

After nearly 30 years of service, Tanya Durand, will retire from her role as CEO in February 2026. Tanya has played a transformative role in advancing Greentrike’s mission to honor children and youth and champion play. To learn more about Greentrike and its programs please visit https://greentrike.org.  

DESIRED LEADERSHIP TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS 

The Greentrike Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be seen as a new leader in the Pierce County community. The Board of Directors is seeking a confident, innovative, authentic, and passionate individual who leads collaboratively and inclusively, embracing Greentrike’s mission and Pierce County in all duties. Inheriting a solid platform in many areas, the Board is looking for a new leader to take the organization to the next level of growth, maturity, and impact. With a strong commitment to and understanding of the importance of belonging and welcoming for all families in our community. In partnership, the CEO and Board of Directors will chart a strategic course for Greentrike that ensures activities are responsive, impactful, and meaningful to the community. The CEO also partners with and supports the Board in securing the necessary resources to bolster the organization’s mission and strategic plan.  

Being an inspirational and visionary leader is crucial, both internally with Board and Staff and externally with various constituencies and audiences of Greentrike. The ideal candidate will be a visible and approachable leader, comfortable interacting with diverse populations while recognizing their specific interests and aspirations, creating a community of shared values. To achieve the goal of becoming the best place for childhood, the CEO must be committed to engaging audiences and stakeholders beyond Tacoma and surrounding areas; all of Pierce County must see Greentrike as a caring, responsive, and community driven organization.  

The CEO should possess in-depth experience in fundraising and donor stewardship, institutional image-building, marketing, and external relations including advocacy at local and national levels. Greentrike’s income primarily comes from contributed sources, and the CEO is considered the organization’s lead fundraiser. Outstanding communication skills, including strong listening, presentation, and emotional intelligence, are essential. The CEO will effectively communicate at all organizational levels to build trust, enhance performance, and foster effective employee relations. 

The successful candidate should have exceptional organizational, administrative, and financial skills, with critical knowledge of fiscal management, including the ability to increase both earned and contributed income and manage the multiple business lines that comprise Greentrike, as well as management of the organization’s burgeoning reserves and investments. The new CEO will take the organization’s financial administration to the next level.  

Equally important is a passion for play and ability to advance programs and new initiatives. The CEO should be a decisive coalition builder, instilling a high level of accountability in team-based decision-making, and modeling integrity and fairness. The CEO will navigate complex decisions logically and rationally, while demonstrating strong analytical skills and adaptability as organizational priorities evolve. The ideal candidate will excel at creating, implementing, and monitoring complex plans, translating them into goals and strategies. The CEO will be a team leader and team player, honoring and enhancing the organization’s culture which staff and board hold so dear.  

CAREER PATH LEADING TO THIS POSITION 

The CEO will preferably have relevant senior-level leadership experience at organizations serving children and families, with a child-centered philosophy, and focused on early education, and/or with advocacy for early learning. The candidate will have a strong understanding of effective fiscal management, fundraising, administration, and serving community. A demonstrated comfort with or exposure to most of the areas of Greentrike’s departments, including membership, marketing, fundraising, grant management, and governmental and external relations, would be preferred. Candidates with nonprofit and for-profit experience with a demonstrated commitment to and passion for early childhood and/or education advocacy and/or community development will also be considered. The ideal candidate will be a skilled communicator who has shown success in building and growing an organization and fostering a culture of belonging.  

RESPONSIBILITIES 

The CEO of Greentrike will be responsible for current operations and performance, as well as be instrumental in visioning and leading the future of the organization. Reporting to a 20–25-member Board of Directors, the CEO oversees Greentrike with the following direct reports: Chief Philanthropy Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Planning & Evaluation Officer, Chief Communications & Engagement Officer, Chief Learning Experiences Officer, and Chief of Staff.  

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

Leadership & Strategy:                    

• Prioritize a deep commitment to community, children and families, justice, equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in all facets of the organization, both internally and externally.
• Partner with the Board of Directors to define and articulate the vision in the development and implementation of a strategic plan to promote and augment revenue growth and operating efficiency.
• Lead strategic planning efforts and create and manage annual business plans based on the strategic plan, market conditions, and emerging opportunities.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and direction to the staff, ensuring that programs are guided by the mission and aligned with the strategic plan.
• Model Greentrike’s core beliefs in all work and interactions.

Financial Management & Fundraising:

• Oversee the budgeting process and financial health of the organization.
• Proficient in understanding, analyzing, and communicating Greentrike’s financial position including budgets, P&L statements, balance sheets, and audits.
• Secure funding through grants, donations, and other sources, and manage the allocation of resources effectively.
• Manage a portfolio of the organization’s most significant donors and is responsible for major gift fundraising as a member of the fund development team. 

Public Relations & Advocacy:

• Serve as an articulate and passionate advocate, representing Greentrike as the primary "face" with community, media, government, and other stakeholders.
• Advocate for Greentrike’s mission and values, fostering partnerships and alliances to further goals with local, regional, and national funders and decision makers. The successful candidate will take these efforts to the next level.
• Network on behalf of Greentrike. Serve on local/national boards and committees to enhance the work and visibility of Greentrike.  

COMPENSATION 

Annual salary is $250,000-275,000 based on experience. Relocation assistance, if needed, is negotiable. A comprehensive benefits package will be provided.