We are excited to announce the appointment of Colleen Echohawk as the new Chief Executive Officer of Community Roots Housing! Colleen will start her new role on October 6, in anticipation of the retirement of longtime CEO Chris Persons at the end of October.
Colleen Echohawk brings over 20 years of experience as an executive leader, small business owner, and community organizer to the role. This includes serving as Executive Director of Chief Seattle Club, where she led the effort to create nearly $100 million in new affordable housing in Seattle, and CEO of Eighth Generation, a Native-designed art and lifestyle brand. She is an active member of the board of trustees for both Seattle Foundation and Seattle Colleges. An established champion of Seattle’s Native and under-resourced populations, Echohawk is an enrolled member of the Kithehaki Band of the Pawnee Nation and a member of the Upper Athabascan people of Mentasta Lake. As CEO of Community Roots, Colleen will help to advance our mission to create inclusive affordable housing and foster thriving, just communities.
“I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve as CEO of Community Roots Housing,” Colleen shared. “Affordable housing is one of the most urgent issues facing our city and our country, and it is deeply connected to my lifelong commitment to social justice. For me, this work is about more than buildings—it is about dignity, belonging, and hope. I am eager to work alongside our residents, staff, board, and community partners to ensure that together we create inclusive, welcoming neighborhoods where every person has the opportunity to thrive.”
Colleen is joining Community Roots during a time of growth. In the next several months, Community Roots’ largest building to date, Copperleaf Northgate, will add 232 affordable apartments next to the Northgate light rail station and transit center. In White Center, Community Roots is nearing completion on a joint development with the White Center Community Development Association to build the White Center HUB, a dynamic community center, alongside a 76-unit affordable housing complex, Canopy White Center, that provides family-sized apartments. On Capitol Hill, construction is underway on the Constellation Center, Community Roots’ new mixed-use building developed in partnership with YouthCare, which will include an education and employment resource hub, 84 new affordable apartments, and 15 units designed specifically for youth exiting homelessness.
Please join us in welcoming Colleen Echohawk to Community Roots Housing!
