As a Nordstrom executive for 31 years, Kay Fantin enjoyed a successful career in the commercial world. She was known for building customer relationships through exceptional teams by contributing to policies and procedures including recruiting, performance management, and staff retention. 

When she retired, her energy nearly drove her family crazy until her son urged her to look for a role in the nonprofit world and volunteering, noting how Kay had always been effective at motivating people to volunteer with her. Thus, Kay joined United Way for six years, followed by the Greater Seattle YMCA.  As she says, “When I was at United Way, I worked with and admired the Everett Public Schools Foundation. My boss at the Y encouraged me to apply for the Executive Director role when it became open, describing it as my dream job!” The fit was perfect, and she has been the Executive Director of the Everett Public School Foundation (EPSF) for the past five years. 

“I have a passion for the Foundation’s mission that ‘all students in Everett Public Schools have the programs and resources they need for success and well-being,’" Kay says. Since 1985, the Foundation has filled the gap between public and state funding supporting families, students, and teachers in the Everett School District, and contributing over 6.5 million dollars.  

Kay describes herself as a connector, saying, “I don't like to be in the limelight - my goal is to connect people who can help because there are so many ways to make a difference in the lives of our students.” As an example, she tells the story of working with the Family Resource Center to organize car seats for a recently arrived refugee family. 

A critical goal of the Foundation is to ensure, in partnership with the district, that books in every school library accurately represent the profiles of the attending students. “We spent a couple of months doing a deep dive into every library, as we knew student populations had changed and wanted students to see themselves in the books available. Now we give each library a grant to refresh their stock, often in the languages of their students,” Kay explains. When EPSF brought books for elementary students attending Summer Academy, they realized these were the first books many of the kids had owned.

Some of EPSF’s major grants go to ‘play and learn’ groups for parent, caregiver, and grandparent education as well as to developmental playtime five days a week at multiple locations including Mill Creek. “These provide the resources and tools to make sure that students are ready to enter school, and set up to succeed,” Kay explains. “We give classroom grants to help teachers innovate in how they engage students, and to first-year teachers to help them set up and make classrooms their own.”

The Foundation is 100% funded by donations from individuals, grants, and local businesses, and further by contributions to its annual March fundraising event. As well as praising the generosity of the community, Kay highlights the work of the District’s Family Resource Center, which has met growing needs in the community through COVID, the arrival of more refugee families, and the increase in student homelessness. 

Outside of her work with the Foundation, Kay enjoys reading and gardening. Since her retirement, she has also become an avid cook. She continues her long-term practice of sending care packages to various people in the community as a surprise treat.

“I'm not a champion - I’m a problem solver!” Kay concludes. “I'm passionate about opening people's eyes to how they can make a difference in our community, which is a wonderful place to live. People don't necessarily know how they can make an impact on the lives of those in need. My mission is to get out there and spread the word.” 

Dr. Ian B. Saltzman, the Superintendent of Everett Public Schools, says, “Kay Fantin is one of the most positive people I have ever met. She is always child-centered and gives 110% to our community every day. It is always a pleasure to be around Kay and the amazing work she does.”