The future is bright: a leadership transition at Mary's Place!
Marty Hartman and Dominique Alex
After 24 years leading Mary's Place as executive director, Marty Hartman is stepping down from her role. Her last day will be December 1. During this transition at Mary’s Place Dominique Alex, current Chief Program Officer, will serve as interim Executive Director.
Mary’s Place has experienced tremendous growth and evolution with Marty at the helm - helping thousands of families experiencing homelessness. We have grown from a drop-in women’s day center in 1999 to an innovative organization that has helped thousands of women and families find their way back to safe, permanent housing. Last year alone, Mary’s Place served 1,384 families; provided 231,176 nights of shelter; served 693,528 meals; and helped 656 families find housing.
Marty leaves Mary's Place well-positioned for continued success. Over the past two-plus decades, Mary's Place operating budget has grown from $32,000 in 1999 to more than $30 million in 2023, carrying no debt and healthy reserves. Strong support from donors and corporate partners has allowed the organization to pilot and implement best practices that are nationally recognized. The annual “No Child Sleeps Outside” campaign has elevated awareness of family homelessness and that there are, even today, hundreds of children sleeping outside.
“Marty’s dedication to Mary’s Place and the families we serve can be seen and felt across the organization in how we provide support and shelter with dignity and compassion. Her legacy of innovation, growth, and community partnership will continue to inspire all that we do. We are grateful for her leadership, countless hours of service, and for positioning Mary’s Place so well for continued success,” said Jim Karambelas, Board Chair.
Over the last 24 years, the organization:
moved into buildings waiting to be redeveloped, worked with our community to make them sparkle and shine for our guests to call them home for now – 26 times!
purchased a forever home on 4.3 acres in Burien, where Mary's Place is partnering with Mercy Housing to develop a new shelter for 200 family members co-located with ~90 units of permanently affordable housing
received the incredible gift of a beautiful family shelter for 200 family members in an Amazon building in downtown Seattle
saw that families were outside area hospitals living in cars waiting for chemo, surgeries, and dialysis for their children and started the Popsicle Place program to bring them inside
realized that the best way to stop families from becoming homeless and reduce the generational impacts is to prevent it from happening in the first place by providing rental assistance and stability supports
added mobile outreach services for meeting unsheltered families where they are
established the King County Emergency Family Intake Line to provide a caring, equitable, and effective way for unsheltered families with children to access emergency shelter in King County
“The women and families of Mary’s Place are my heart and passion. I am so thankful, grateful, and blessed to work alongside our amazing staff whose love for our families is the core of Mary's Place, and our amazing Board, past and present, and generous community who love their neighbors and always step up to support our mission that no child sleeps outside,” said Marty. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and know that Mary’s Place will continue to lead and innovate in support of unsheltered women and families. We are so much better together!”
Marty will work closely with Dominique and the rest of the leadership team to ensure a smooth transition at Mary’s Place.
“Marty has made a tremendous impact in our community and leaves big shoes to fill,” said Dominique. “We are so grateful for her leadership. I look forward to working with our staff and Board to continue her legacy, ensuring that families experiencing homelessness are seen, heard, and prioritized for shelter and housing, and that no child sleeps outside.”