New SAMMI Awards Executive Director Selected

Sammamish resident Kristina Williams has been selected to serve as the new executive director of the SAMMI Awards, the .

The SAMMI Awards Organization announced news of her selection on Monday. Board members said she brings more than 20 years of experience, including roles in leadership positions, from nonprofit, community service and education jobs. 

"Her leadership and dedication to partnering with local government, private sectors, non-profits, and community efforts will really help the SAMMI Awards organization to become a larger part of our city’s culture," Anh Vo, board president, said in a statement.

Cary Young, the organization's executive director for the past four years, will join the board of directors.

Williams worked for the Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center, where she was chief operating officer and chief development officer. At the center, she was responsible for community partnerships, direct service programs, fundraising and communications.

She also has held leadership jobs at social service, mentoring and education groups, the SAMMI board said in a statement. Williams is a Northwest Development Officers Association board member. She volunteers for Team Survivor Northwest.

She received her executive master of public administration degree from the University of Washington. She earned her bachelor of arts degree from California State University, Northridge.

She and her husband have lived in Sammamish for six years.

Editor's note: If you know someone that you'd like to be considered for a 2012 SAMMI Award, .