Greentrike
Overview
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. Founded as the Children’s Museum of Tacoma in 1985 and renamed Greentrike in 2019, it operates as an education, advocacy, and backbone organization supporting children and youth in Pierce County. Greentrike is an advocate, practitioner, convenor, and coordinator. Its mission is to “Honor Children and Youth. Champion Play.” The organization strives for Pierce County to be the best place for childhood, with a belief that children are inquisitive, capable, compassionate, creative, authentic, and leaders. Adults caring for children should support learning through play and inquiry, and be deeply invested in them. Greentrike’s staff, board and community engagement are guided by core beliefs: 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 has grown into a thought leader with a strong reputation for high quality and intentionality, supported by a $5 million annual budget and a staff team of 65–70, and a diverse range of programs including: The Children’s Museum of Tacoma, featuring whimsical, sculptural, and abstract playscapes, an art studio, and a little library. The Children’s Museum of Tacoma celebrates 40 years of service this year. The Children’s Museum at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), the first-ever children’s museum on a military installation, opened in 2021 in partnership with JBLM to serve military children and families with emphasis on early learners, those experiencing special needs, and reintegration of military personnel. The CM @ JBLM received the national Fisher House Service Award in 2024. Pay As You Will admission, a donation-based model recognized nationally for making museum experiences accessible to all. Outreach programs, including Play to Learn Pierce County, Preschool Powered by Play, Greentrike Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO), Greentrike Cares, and the Monarch Diaper Bank. The Child and Youth Centered Community movement, inspired by a trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy, to make Pierce County more child-centered. After nearly 30 years of service, Tanya Durand will retire as CEO in February 2026. To learn more about Greentrike and its programs please visit Greentrike’s website. Leadership traits and characteristics
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be a new leader in the Pierce County community, seen as confident, innovative, authentic, and passionate, leading collaboratively and inclusively and embracing Greentrike’s mission and the community. The Board seeks a leader who can take the organization to the next level of growth, maturity and impact, with a strong commitment to belonging and welcoming for all families. The CEO and Board will chart a strategic course to ensure activities are responsive, impactful, and meaningful to the community, and will support securing resources to bolster the mission and strategic plan. The CEO should be an inspirational and visionary leader, comfortable with diverse populations and able to create a community of shared values. To achieve the goal of becoming the best place for childhood, the CEO must engage audiences and stakeholders beyond Tacoma so that all of Pierce County sees Greentrike as a caring, responsive, and effective force. The CEO should have 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 comes primarily from contributed sources, and the CEO is the lead fundraiser. Outstanding communication skills, including listening, presentation, and emotional intelligence, are essential. The CEO will communicate effectively at all organizational levels to build trust, enhance performance, and foster strong employee relations. The successful candidate should have excellent organizational, administrative, and financial skills, with knowledge of fiscal management, the ability to grow earned and contributed income, and the ability to manage multiple business lines and the organization’s reserves and investments. The new CEO will advance the organization’s financial administration. Equally important is a passion for play and the ability to advance programs and new initiatives. The CEO should be a decisive coalition builder, promote accountability in team-based decision-making, and model integrity and fairness. The CEO will navigate complex decisions logically and rationally, demonstrating strong analytical skills and adaptability as priorities evolve. The ideal candidate will excel at creating, implementing, and monitoring complex plans, translating them into goals and strategies, and will be a team leader who honors and enhances the organization’s culture cherished by staff and the board. Responsibilities
The CEO will oversee current operations and performance and lead future growth. Reporting to a 20–25-member Board of Directors, the CEO will supervise 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, internally and externally. Partner with the Board to define and implement a strategic plan that promotes revenue growth and operating efficiency. Lead strategic planning efforts and manage annual business plans based on the strategic plan, market conditions, and opportunities. Provide leadership and direction to staff, ensuring programs align with the mission and plan. Model Greentrike’s core beliefs in all work and interactions. Financial Management & Fundraising: Oversee budgeting and financial health of the organization. Analyze and communicate Greentrike’s financial position, including budgets, P&L, balance sheets, and audits. Secure funding through grants, donations, and other sources; manage resource allocation. Manage a portfolio of major donors as part of the fund development team. Public Relations & Advocacy: Represent Greentrike as the primary public face with the community, media, government, and other stakeholders. Advocate for Greentrike’s mission and values, fostering partnerships with local, regional, and national funders and decision makers. Elevate these efforts as appropriate. Network on behalf of Greentrike and serve on local and national boards and committees to enhance visibility. Compensation
Annual salary is $250,000–$275,000 based on experience. Relocation assistance, if needed, is negotiable. A comprehensive benefits package is provided. The CEO should have senior-level leadership experience at organizations serving children and families, a child-centered philosophy, knowledge of early education or advocacy for early learning, and strong fiscal management, fundraising, administration, and community service. Familiarity with Greentrike’s departments (membership, marketing, fundraising, grant management, and governmental/external relations) is preferred. Candidates with nonprofit or for-profit experience and a demonstrated commitment to early childhood, education advocacy, or community development will be considered. The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator with a track record of building and growing an organization and fostering a culture of belonging.
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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. Founded as the Children’s Museum of Tacoma in 1985 and renamed Greentrike in 2019, it operates as an education, advocacy, and backbone organization supporting children and youth in Pierce County. Greentrike is an advocate, practitioner, convenor, and coordinator. Its mission is to “Honor Children and Youth. Champion Play.” The organization strives for Pierce County to be the best place for childhood, with a belief that children are inquisitive, capable, compassionate, creative, authentic, and leaders. Adults caring for children should support learning through play and inquiry, and be deeply invested in them. Greentrike’s staff, board and community engagement are guided by core beliefs: 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 has grown into a thought leader with a strong reputation for high quality and intentionality, supported by a $5 million annual budget and a staff team of 65–70, and a diverse range of programs including: The Children’s Museum of Tacoma, featuring whimsical, sculptural, and abstract playscapes, an art studio, and a little library. The Children’s Museum of Tacoma celebrates 40 years of service this year. The Children’s Museum at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), the first-ever children’s museum on a military installation, opened in 2021 in partnership with JBLM to serve military children and families with emphasis on early learners, those experiencing special needs, and reintegration of military personnel. The CM @ JBLM received the national Fisher House Service Award in 2024. Pay As You Will admission, a donation-based model recognized nationally for making museum experiences accessible to all. Outreach programs, including Play to Learn Pierce County, Preschool Powered by Play, Greentrike Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO), Greentrike Cares, and the Monarch Diaper Bank. The Child and Youth Centered Community movement, inspired by a trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy, to make Pierce County more child-centered. After nearly 30 years of service, Tanya Durand will retire as CEO in February 2026. To learn more about Greentrike and its programs please visit Greentrike’s website. Leadership traits and characteristics
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be a new leader in the Pierce County community, seen as confident, innovative, authentic, and passionate, leading collaboratively and inclusively and embracing Greentrike’s mission and the community. The Board seeks a leader who can take the organization to the next level of growth, maturity and impact, with a strong commitment to belonging and welcoming for all families. The CEO and Board will chart a strategic course to ensure activities are responsive, impactful, and meaningful to the community, and will support securing resources to bolster the mission and strategic plan. The CEO should be an inspirational and visionary leader, comfortable with diverse populations and able to create a community of shared values. To achieve the goal of becoming the best place for childhood, the CEO must engage audiences and stakeholders beyond Tacoma so that all of Pierce County sees Greentrike as a caring, responsive, and effective force. The CEO should have 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 comes primarily from contributed sources, and the CEO is the lead fundraiser. Outstanding communication skills, including listening, presentation, and emotional intelligence, are essential. The CEO will communicate effectively at all organizational levels to build trust, enhance performance, and foster strong employee relations. The successful candidate should have excellent organizational, administrative, and financial skills, with knowledge of fiscal management, the ability to grow earned and contributed income, and the ability to manage multiple business lines and the organization’s reserves and investments. The new CEO will advance the organization’s financial administration. Equally important is a passion for play and the ability to advance programs and new initiatives. The CEO should be a decisive coalition builder, promote accountability in team-based decision-making, and model integrity and fairness. The CEO will navigate complex decisions logically and rationally, demonstrating strong analytical skills and adaptability as priorities evolve. The ideal candidate will excel at creating, implementing, and monitoring complex plans, translating them into goals and strategies, and will be a team leader who honors and enhances the organization’s culture cherished by staff and the board. Responsibilities
The CEO will oversee current operations and performance and lead future growth. Reporting to a 20–25-member Board of Directors, the CEO will supervise 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, internally and externally. Partner with the Board to define and implement a strategic plan that promotes revenue growth and operating efficiency. Lead strategic planning efforts and manage annual business plans based on the strategic plan, market conditions, and opportunities. Provide leadership and direction to staff, ensuring programs align with the mission and plan. Model Greentrike’s core beliefs in all work and interactions. Financial Management & Fundraising: Oversee budgeting and financial health of the organization. Analyze and communicate Greentrike’s financial position, including budgets, P&L, balance sheets, and audits. Secure funding through grants, donations, and other sources; manage resource allocation. Manage a portfolio of major donors as part of the fund development team. Public Relations & Advocacy: Represent Greentrike as the primary public face with the community, media, government, and other stakeholders. Advocate for Greentrike’s mission and values, fostering partnerships with local, regional, and national funders and decision makers. Elevate these efforts as appropriate. Network on behalf of Greentrike and serve on local and national boards and committees to enhance visibility. Compensation
Annual salary is $250,000–$275,000 based on experience. Relocation assistance, if needed, is negotiable. A comprehensive benefits package is provided. The CEO should have senior-level leadership experience at organizations serving children and families, a child-centered philosophy, knowledge of early education or advocacy for early learning, and strong fiscal management, fundraising, administration, and community service. Familiarity with Greentrike’s departments (membership, marketing, fundraising, grant management, and governmental/external relations) is preferred. Candidates with nonprofit or for-profit experience and a demonstrated commitment to early childhood, education advocacy, or community development will be considered. The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator with a track record of building and growing an organization and fostering a culture of belonging.
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