Our commitment to the community is evident in our employee involvement. Symetra is represented on the boards of many nonprofit and community organizations serving the greater Puget Sound area and beyond. They include:
Chief Seattle Council of Boy Scouts of America
The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America, incorporated on Feb. 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916, is to provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship and to develop personal fitness.
Symetra board member
Roger F. Harbin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Eastside District YMCA
The YMCA of Greater Seattle is a leading nonprofit human service organization, serving all of King and south Snohomish counties. For more than 128 years, the YMCA of Greater Seattle has provided safe and caring environments, positive role models, creative activities and opportunities to serve the needs of others. These are the essential building blocks for strong kids, strong families and strong communities.
Symetra board member
Allyn D. Close, Senior Vice President, General Agency and Advisor Distribution
Imagine Children’s Museum
This remarkable Everett, Washington, facility makes children's lives better by creating a place where they can playfully learn. Symetra gleefully joins the effort to spark imagination, arouse curiosity, inspire creativity, stimulate exploration and instill a love of learning.
Symetra board member
Jo Baker, CSSC, FLMI, Unit Manager - Agency Services
Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement (JA) strengthens our communities by educating and inspiring young people to value education, learn about the world of work and be ready to succeed in a global economy. With the help of volunteers, JA reaches approximately 7 million students worldwide beginning at the elementary school level, teaching children how they can impact the world around them as individuals, workers and consumers. JA programs continue through the middle and high school grades, preparing students for future economic and workforce issues.
Symetra board member
Michele M. Kemper, Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer
KCTS Public Television
KCTS, a member station of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), serves more than 2 million viewers across Washington state and Canada and provides more than 8,700 hours of quality programs per year that reflect their mission to inform, involve and inspire.
Symetra board member
James D. Pirak, Vice President, Investor Relations and Marketing
Overlake Hospital Foundation
The Overlake Hospital Foundation is the fundraising arm for Overlake Hospital Medical Center — a nonprofit regional medical center offering a full range of advanced medical services to the Puget Sound Region. Overlake is the only Level III Trauma Center in eastern Puget Sound and is distinguished for its cardiac services and its award-winning surgical services.
Symetra board member
Linda C. Mahaffey, Vice President, Life & Annuities Division
Washington Dollars for Scholars
Washington Dollars for Scholars works with communities to inspire students to achieve their highest educational and career potential. Their mission is to provide leadership to develop and support a network of community-based scholarship programs that are self-sustaining and perpetual.
Symetra board member
Michael E. Madden, Vice President, Individual Life
Youth Eastside Services
Youth Eastside Services (YES) is a lifeline for kids and families coping with challenges such as emotional distress, substance abuse and violence. Through intervention, outreach and prevention, YES builds confidence and responsibility, strengthens family relationships and advocates for a safer community that cares for its youth.
Symetra board member
Christine A. Katzmar, Vice President, Human Resources
ArtsFund
Through the ArtsFund, businesses and individuals can support music, dance, theatre, opera, museums and film in our region. ArtsFund annually raises $4 million which is allocated to more than 70 diverse, nonprofit arts groups in the Puget Sound region.
Symetra board member
George C. Pagos, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary
Kirkland Performance Center
Responsive to the cultural needs of the community, Kirkland Performance Center provides a home for the presentation, support and promotion of the performing arts.
Symetra board member
Margaret A. Meister, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Actuary
Northwest African American Museum
This museum is a long time in the making but will soon open as a vibrant community gathering place, a place where youth, adults and families can honor the past and articulate the future. The Museum will document and exhibit the unique historical and cultural experiences of African Americans in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.
Symetra board member
Susan Davis, AVP Sales
Seattle Opera
Founded in 1963, Seattle Opera has developed into one of the leading opera companies in the United States. The company is recognized internationally for its theatrically compelling and musically accomplished performances. Seattle Opera's summer presentations, particularly of Wagner's Ring des Nibelungen, have been acclaimed often and widely as among the Pacific Northwest's premier cultural events.
Symetra board member
George C. Pagos, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary
Leadership Eastside
Leadership Eastside is an inclusive organization that promotes connections, develops and enriches leaders, and is a catalyst for communities to address important issues and meet the challenges of a diverse and dynamic region.
Symetra board member
Jennifer V. Davies, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Development
Leadership Tomorrow
A unique partnership between the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and United Way of King County has provided training for leaders for nearly 25 years. A total of 64 participants spend 9 months in leadership training each year in this model program in North America.
Symetra board member
Troy Olson-Blair, Chief Information Officer and Vice President, Information Technology
U of Washington Business School
The internationally recognized Business School of the University of Washington hosts students from around the world to present plans for businesses to bring sustainable employment to the developing world. The international competition (GSEC) occurs once a year.
Symetra board member (Dean’s Advisory Council)
Stan Emert, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility
Washington Policy Center
Washington Policy Center is a nonpartisan, free-market, state-based think tank in Seattle, Washington, that publishes studies, sponsors events and conferences, and educates citizens on public policy issues facing Washington state. Examining expanded health care coverage options is a focus of the organization.
Symetra board member (Center for Health Care Reform Advisory Board)
M. Scott Taylor, Senior Vice President, Group Division
Bellevue Downtown Association
Established in 1974, the Bellevue Downtown Association is a nonprofit, membership organization that has led the evolution of downtown Bellevue, Wash. from a suburban enclave to a thriving urban center.
Symetra board member
Allyn D. Close, Senior Vice President, General Agency and Advisor Distribution
Bellevue Chamber of Commerce
With more than 1,000 members, the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce is the largest chamber on the Eastside. Its membership ranges from sole proprietors to large corporations. The Chamber’s mission is to foster a healthy business environment by providing strategic leadership, advocacy, tools, and resources for business success.
Symetra board member
Roger F. Harbin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Ninety years after it’s inception, the U.S Chamber of Commerce has grown to represent more than 3 million businesses, nearly 3,000 state and local chambers, 830 associations, and over 90 American Chambers of Commerce abroad
Seafair
For over 55 years, a summer long festival of events has been managed by Seafair. This community organization has over 5,000 volunteers and hosts events with several hundred thousand spectators in attendance. SEAFAIR is for everyone and is a part of what makes up a "Quintessential Northwesterner".
Symetra board member
Stan Emert, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility