Board of Trustees

Joseph C. Davis ’80, Chair

Joseph C. Davis earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Whitman College in 1980. He went on to earn an MBA from Harvard University in 1988. Davis is a Senior Partner, Managing Director and Chairman of BCG (Boston Consulting Group) North America. He oversees the company’s operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He served the college as an Overseer from 2004–2014, and joined the Board of Trustees in 2014. He was elected vice chair in 2018. His family comes from Waitsburg as a wheat farming family. He and his wife, Sarah (Nordholm) Davis ’80, have four children, including Andrew ’18.

What do you love about Whitman?
Well that is pretty easy for me—the fact that I met my spouse there, was married by a wonderful professor, George Ball, and I had an incredible experience working with so many wonderful professors who cared deeply about me.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
Whitman obviously gave me so much of my current life, I am proud and pleased to give back each and every day. I want our school to be a wonderful and powerful place for many generations of students to come.

Danielle Garbe Reser ’97, Vice-Chair

Danielle Garbe Reser earned her bachelor's degree with honors in Politics from Whitman in 1997 and a master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University. She served for 13 years as a diplomat with postings around the globe and at the White House before returning to Walla Walla as CEO of Sherwood Trust from 2015–2020. She currently serves as CEO of the region’s community action agency, Blue Mountain Action Council. Garbe Reser has served Whitman for more than two decades, as an admission officer, member of the Alumni Board, vice chair of the President’s Advisory Board, and a Trustee. She and her husband are the fifth generation to manage the Reser family farm in Walla Walla.

What do you love about Whitman?
I love that Whitman’s liberal arts education inspires a lifelong love of learning, that its small community fosters lifelong friendships, and that Whitman graduates spend their lives making their communities and the world a better place.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
I was able to attend Whitman on the Sherwood scholarship program. I continue to volunteer, donate, and engage with the college however I can to repay that generosity and ensure that future generations of students will continue to benefit from the same academic excellence and wonderful learning community.

Leigh Ann Lucero ’91, Secretary

Leigh Ann Lucero earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Whitman, with a minor in Spanish. She went on to earn a master’s degree in Student Development Administration from Seattle University and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington School of Law. Lucero is an Associate General Counsel at Microsoft Corporation. She is a member of the Corporate, External and Legal Affairs organization, supporting Microsoft’s Xbox gaming business. Prior to practicing law, Lucero was the Director of Residence Life at Gonzaga University. She has served Whitman as a class associate, a member of the Board of Overseers from 2004–2017, and as a member of the President’s Advisory Board, serving as Chair from 2017–2020.

What do you love about Whitman?

Whitman is a place that continues to improve and evolve yet does not waiver in its commitment to developing community and creating life-long learners. As a visiting high school senior, I fell in love with the people and the campus, and my Whitman connections are incredibly meaningful to me.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?

Whitman provided me with opportunities to develop writing, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills that serve me in my professional life today. Serving on the board allows me to give back, to work with faculty, staff, and students in keeping Whitman strong, and to celebrate a continued connection with the college.

Kirsten Adams Gable ’01

Kirsten Gable earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology, with an Environmental Studies minor, from Whitman College in 2001. She went on to earn a Master of Business Administration degree from Gonzaga University. Gable is currently the Organizational Transformation Practice Lead at Sapere Consulting, a management consulting firm practicing within the energy sector. She has remained deeply engaged with the Whitman community, served as Chair of the President’s Advisory Board and Alumni Board President, and has been active in supporting student career development through mentorship in conjunction with the Career and Community Engagement Center. Gable lives in Spokane, Washington, with her husband, Brent, and their two very busy daughters (and a few cats).

What do you love about Whitman?
I love that Whitman continues to be a place that cultivates a desire for life-long learning and preparing students to live a life of impact. Personally, my Whitman education has allowed me to flourish in my career and personal life—I met my closest friends at Whitman and the rigor of the education has prepared me to think critically, and systematically, about any professional challenge that comes my way.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
I truly believe Whitman has a critical role in establishing the future I want to see—by preparing our students to be the broadly educated thinkers and leaders that will make our communities and society better. This is noble and good work and work that I am committed to enabling. 

Mark Kajita

Mark Kajita holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and Accounting from the University of Washington. Prior to becoming the President and CEO of Baker Boyer in 2014, Kajita had careers as a CPA, financial advisor, investment Manager, and Head of Baker Boyer Asset Management. Kajita was born in Walla Walla and has called it home for over five decades, with years of volunteer service with the Rotary Club, the Mill Creek Coalition, Blue Mountain Community Foundation and Whitman’s President’s Advisor Council as well as other local community non-profit organizations.

What do you love about Whitman?
I really appreciate that Whitman students go on to change the world. There is too little dreaming of the better place that you want the world to be, and too few people to make that vision come to fruition.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
During WWII, Whitman stepped in and helped many of the Japanese in Walla Walla retain some dignity by hiring them and keeping them from bankruptcy. My family was one of those, so it is an honor to give back and help when Whitman helped our family so much in the past.

Cecilia Kang ’94

Cecilia Kang earned her degree in English Language and Literature from Whitman College in 1994. Following graduation, she pursued a career in journalism. Kang served on the President’s Advisory Board, leveraging her expertise to support the college’s strategic priorities, and currently sits on the advisory board for the student newspaper, The Whitman Wire.

As an award-winning National Correspondent at The New York Times, Kang reports on the intersection of technology and public policy, translating complex issues to broad audiences with narrative storytelling and clear explanatory writing. She is the co-author of the national and international best-seller, “An Ugly Truth: Inside Facebook's Battle for Domination.”

Now living in the Washington, D.C. area with her two children, Kang remains deeply connected to Whitman.

What do you love about Whitman?
Whitman exemplifies the power of a liberal arts education, where students are given the time, space and resources to learn across disciplines and think critically about the world and their place in it. Whitties take their experience with them after graduation and go on to pursue lives of purpose. 

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
I'm who I am because of Whitman. I became curious about the world and found my purpose at Whitman. I'd like to help keep the traditions of Whitman alive for generations.

Gordon H. Keane ’68

Gordon H. Keane Jr. graduated from Whitman College in 1968 with a degree in Mathematics, and went on to receive a Master of Science from the University of Oregon. He and his wife Katherine Keane ’67 founded Digital Vision, Inc., in 1983. He joined the Board of Trustees in 2017, and served as an Overseer from 2002–2015. Keane and his wife have two children.

What do you love about Whitman?
The strong level of commitment of alumni. Actually, this is more likely the result of the many things we all love about Whitman. Kathy and I have friends that attended other private liberal arts colleges that don’t seem to participate with their college in any way. Whitman participation is very strong.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
I have volunteered for many years because of my belief that strong alumni participation is key to Whitman’s long-term health. Serving as a trustee keeps my thoughts focused on Whitman’s future success.

Peter Lewis ’81

Peter Todd Lewis earned his degree in Economics from Whitman College in 1981. He co-founded Firenze Designs Inc., an apparel manufacturer in 1982, which grew to include manufacturing facilities in California, Mexico and Asia. Subsequent ventures in apparel included private equity ownership in direct marketing companies Sundance and Athleta. Over the past 20 years, he has focused on developing and managing a portfolio of residential and commercial real estate in the western U.S.

What do you love about Whitman?
To me, Whitman’s magic is the unique setting and history. The education is intimate and demanding, yet the comfort and familiarity of a charming town warmly wraps the campus with no pretense and complements the stunning natural beauty of the Blue Mountains and wide-open agricultural rolling hills.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
Great institutions require energy and commitment to prosper and remain relevant. Whitman was and remains a very positive influence in my life, it feels natural to help in whatever small way I can to contribute to its continued success and mission.

Marshal K. McReal ’84

Marshal K. McReal earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Whitman as well as an MBA from Cambridge in 1996. He is principal and co-founder of Garde Capital, Inc., a registered investment advisory and wealth management firm serving families, foundations and non-profit institutions in Seattle. Garde Capital has been named one of the top 300 registered investment advisors in the United States by The Financial Times and one of the top 100 fee-only advisors in the United States by CNBC. Prior to founding Garde, McReal was a vice president with Goldman, Sachs & Co. and senior vice president of Salomon Smith Barney. He serves on the boards of Cambridge in America and the Seattle Symphony. Previously, he served on the boards of the Henry Art Gallery and the Episcopal Diocese of Western Washington. For Whitman, McReal has 10+ years of experience as an overseer and member of the President’s Advisory Board. 

What do you love about Whitman?

My experience at Whitman was life-changing, and I was able to challenge myself and build life-long friendships. I especially appreciate the college’s dedication to creating a rigorous and challenging yet supportive learning environment.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?

I am grateful for the opportunities I have had in life due to the dedication and sacrifice of the men and women who have gone before me. Service on the board is one way I can give thanks and support the work of the whole Whitman community—our new president, as well as our administration, faculty, staff and students—and ensure Whitman continues to thrive for future generations.

Nathaniel Miles

Nathaniel “Nate” Miles is the vice president for strategic initiatives at Eli Lilly and Company, one of the nation’s top pharmaceutical firms. Miles has spent more than three decades in the health care, community and nonprofit sectors. He has received numerous awards and honors for his distinguished career and legacy of service, including being named one of “30 Leaders of the Future” by Ebony magazine. He joined the Whitman College Board of Trustees in 2019. In 2009, Miles established the NaShuntae Pleasant-Miles Scholarship Endowment in memory of his daughter, NaShuntae Pleasant-Miles ’03.

Tricia Putnam Montgomery ’90

Tricia Putnam Montgomery graduated from Whitman College in 1990 with a degree in Psychology. She earned an MBA in Marketing from the University of Cincinnati in 1996. For over 20 years, she has been a leader in marketing and product management for companies including Procter & Gamble, Microsoft and Starbucks, and has recently launched her own consulting business to continue the work of her career independently. Montgomery has served Whitman for more than two decades in leadership roles, including Associate Class Representative ’90, Co-Chair of the 15th Reunion Fund Committee, member of the Board of Overseers, and Trustee since 2017. She and her husband, Paul Montgomery ’89, have three children.

What do you love about Whitman?
I love that Whitman is a place that prepares students for a lifetime—a lifetime of learning, critical thinking and making a positive impact on the world and the people in it. A lifetime of connections and friendships like no other.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
I volunteer my time on the Board of Trustees because it’s my way of giving back to Whitman for all it gave to me. I also volunteer because Whitman is an institution that means a great deal to me and I want to have a positive impact on its future. Volunteering on the board also keeps me connected to campus and the many incredible people there.

William R. Neff ’67

William R. Neff earned his degree in Chemistry and German Literature from Whitman College in 1967. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years, earning the rank of lieutenant. Neff received an MBA from the University of Washington and a Juris Doctor from the University of Denver. He was a founding member of Otten Johnson Robinson Neff & Ragonetti in Denver, Colorado. Neff joined the Whitman Board of Trustees in 2017. He and his wife Rita (Grimm) Neff ’69 have three sons, including Mark ’99.

What do you love about Whitman?
The collaborative environment, which leads to a great education and long-term relationships with both faculty and other students.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
My wife and I were able to attend Whitman only because we received significant financial aid from the college. My service on the board is my way of repaying the college for this financial support.

Elizabeth Obershaw

Elizabeth Obershaw joined the Whitman College Board of Trustees in 2023 and has served on the Investment Committee since 2021 and Family Leadership Council since 2020. Obershaw holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from UCLA and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. She was Chief Investment Officer for HP’s U.S. retirement plans for 16 years. Her interest in the private markets then led her to Horsley Bridge Partners, a private equity firm, where she was a Managing Director for 14 years. Obershaw currently advises several investment and not-for-profit organizations.

What do you love about Whitman? I love how capable, friendly and supportive the Whitman community is. It is a joy to see students receive a great liberal arts education, make deep friendships and launch their careers here. The setting is gorgeous—wheat fields and vineyards, the Blue Mountains, the Columbia River and great sunsets!

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees? Whitman has been a great experience for our family, and I’m honored to give back. The endowment allows Whitman to make longterm investments in our people, programs and facilities, and I enjoy applying my investment background to this mission. Learning from our leadership, academic community, board and students is very stimulating!

Charles Nelson ’83

Charles Nelson is a 1983 graduate of Whitman with a degree in Chemistry and Economics. He is currently CEO of Nelson Advisory Services, LLC providing business and technology consulting to the financial services industry. He was formerly vice chairman and chief growth officer of Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), which provides health, wealth and investment solutions that enable its individual, workplace and institutional clients to achieve their financial wellness goals with confidence.

Nelson previously served Whitman on the Alumni Board as well as the Board of Overseers. He currently serves on the board of trustees for Whitman College and The Bushnell, Connecticut’s largest arts organization, as well as on the board of directors of the Defined Contribution Alternatives Association, a nonprofit organization that educates the community on the benefits of including alternative investments within a defined contribution framework. Nelson met his wife, Patti ’85, at Whitman and is also an alumni parent to Jordan ’08.

What do you love about Whitman?
My Whitman experience changed my life in many ways: it helped me develop critical and analytical thinking skills, led to a job which turned into a career and was a place where I developed lifelong friendships. Most importantly, I met my best friend and the love of my life, my wife, Patti.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
I enjoy giving back to an institution that gave me so much. I believe in the importance and value of a liberal arts education that develops critical and analytical thinking skills. These have been important skills forever, but are key skills to have in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

Aaron Perrine ’99

Aaron Perrine earned his bachelor’s degree in Politics from Whitman. He went on to earn a JD from the University of Washington School of Law and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Perrine is a managing director at Trilogy Search Partners, a private investment firm based in Bellevue, Washington. He previously served as a Whitman College Overseer, member of the President’s Advisory Board (PAB) and as PAB chair. He and his wife, Paige Pratter, have two children.

What do you love about Whitman?

I believe that rigorous, residential, liberal arts education is an outstanding context for developing thoughtful, resilient leaders. And I think our faculty are the best anywhere.

Why do you volunteer your time on the board of trustees?

Whitman helped me attend with the Garrett Scholarship, and Whitman staff, faculty and alumni have been key resources for me in every part of my personal and professional development. It’s a privilege to be part of this great institution.

Dana M. Reid ’89

Dana M. Reid earned her bachelor’s degree in History, with a minor in Political Science, from Whitman College in 1989. She went on to earn a Juris Doctorate from Willamette University College of Law and her Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Washington School of Law. Reid is a partner at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP in the Seattle, Bellevue, San Francisco and Los Angeles offices. She is a member of the trusts and estate and tax-exempt organizations groups, as well as the family business practice and the restaurants, food and beverage, and hotels and resorts practice. She served the college as a member of the Planned Giving Advisory Board, co-chair of her 25th Reunion Fund Committee, a member of the Board of Overseers, and as a member of the President’s Advisory Board. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2019. She and her husband, Larry Hitchon, live in Seattle.

What do you love about Whitman?
Though being a successful student and athlete when arriving at Whitman, I lacked self-esteem. After a false-start at a large state university, Whitman gave me individualized academic attention and a collegial residential atmosphere. I left with lifelong friends, a love of art history, fluent French, well-developed critical thinking skills that set me up for success in my current career and volunteer work, and a continuing desire to learn. The post-graduate Whitman social and business network is vast and welcoming.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
It is the greatest honor to be able to give back to the institution that put me on the course to where I am today. I want to do my best to see that Whitman continues to develop well-rounded, caring, inquisitive, inclusive and successful human beings.

Charley Rosenberry ’81

Charley Rosenberry earned a degree in Political Science from Whitman College in 1981. He went on to earn a Juris Doctor from Seattle University in 1988. From 1988 to 2017, he provided legal services for juveniles committed to Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration. Rosenberry also served as head boys lacrosse coach at Vashon High School from 1990 to 2012. He has served on the Whitman College Alumni Board and then 15 years as an overseer. Rosenberry joined the Board of Trustees in 2018. He is married to Lanora (Welker) Rosenberry ’88. He is the proud step-father of Merideth Zeigler ’21.

What do you love about Whitman?
Whitman has powerfully and positively influenced my life in such important ways. My closest friends, including my wife (!) and the direction I took in my professional life are thanks to Whitman.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
Whitman continues to value and uphold a vision for providing its students with the sound liberal arts education that it provided me. I want to support Whitman on this path as best I can.

Nancy Serrurier

Nancy B. Serrurier is the proud parent of alumnus Ben ’11. She joined the Whitman College Board of Trustees in 2009, and was elected chair in 2018. Serrurier received a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and holds an MBA from Stanford University. Serrurier worked as the legislative director for U.S. Sen. John Chafee of Rhode Island. She also had a career as a management consultant and new foods entrepreneur. She has served on and led several elected and nonprofit boards. She and her husband have two children.

What do you love about Whitman?
I love the Whitman culture that values personal relationships and community. And what’s so special about this is that I hear the importance of these values from alumni of every generation along with today’s students; from staff and faculty, from prospective students and first-time visitors to the campus. Along with a deep commitment to learning, this is what makes Whitman special to me.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
I volunteer my time to Whitman because I think it is a wonderful institution that deserves to thrive now and into the future. I enjoy working with my fellow trustees, faculty members, staff and students. I find the issues surrounding higher ed endlessly interesting, and I’m always learning something new.

Drew Shoals ’05 

Drew Shoals is a Corporate Counsel at Amazon Music working on music, entertainment and tech matters. He formerly played drums, toured and recorded with the multiplatinum, Grammy Award-winning band Train. Prior to joining the Whitman Board of Trustees, Shoals served as Vice Chair of the President’s Advisory Board and Co-Chair of the 10th Reunion Fund. He earned a Juris Doctor from University of Pennsylvania Law School—where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of International Law—and a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in African American Studies from Whitman. Shoals lives in Seattle, Washington, with his wife, Nicole, and their son, Avery.  

What do you love about Whitman? I love that Whitman fosters an inclusive and academically rigorous environment in a beautiful Pacific Northwest community that empowers students to engage, collaborate, explore, innovate, build lifelong friendships and make a positive impact on the world. 

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees? I volunteer on the Board to help ensure that Whitman thrives for generations to come and is an educational experience that is accessible and responsive to the students of today and the future, equipping students from diverse backgrounds with the tools and drive to solve tomorrow’s complex problems.

Jonathan N. Sposato ’89

Jonathan Sposato earned his degree in Political Science with a minor in Dramatic Art from Whitman College in 1989. Sposato is the co-founder and chair of GeekWire and CEO of PicMonkey, the world’s most popular web photo-editor. A self-described serial entrepreneur and investor in many startups, Sposato is known for being the first person to sell two companies to Google. He joined the Board of Trustees in 2016.

What do you love about Whitman?
Whitman’s mission is really to incubate some of the most thoughtful, intelligent humans who can go forth and have a meaningful impact on the world. The fact that Whitman can do this in such a stunning setting makes it very very special.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
Mostly it's the amazing president of the college, the rigorousness and hard work ethic of her entire staff, the incredibly high quality faculty, the commitment and smarts of the other trustees, that makes this an easy example of “self improvement via being in the room with better people.” I enjoy volunteering here because I very much respect the people.

Sarah O. Wang ’89

Sarah O. Wang earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Whitman College in 1989, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1994. She was made a partner at Marr Jones & Wang in 2001, after joining the firm in 1998. Wang’s expertise is on labor and employment law and she is a frequent speaker at seminars. Prior to joining the Board of Trustees in 2013, Wang served the college as an overseer and Alumni Board member.

What do you love about Whitman?
I love the positive and seemingly boundless energy on campus, and the conviction that we CAN change the world in positive ways. Sometimes in my day-to-day life it is easy to lose sight of that!

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
I am sure this is not a unique answer, but it is because I want to do what I can to help ensure that Whitman will provide future generations with a meaningful and transformative experience, as I had as a student at Whitman.

Ann Watson ’83

Ann Watson earned her degree in Economics from Whitman College in 1983. She went on to earn an MBA in Finance from Columbia University. Ann spent 7 years in global banking roles in New York and abroad and nearly 15 years in leadership roles at Russell Investments, a global investment company. She is now the COO of Cascadia Capital, serves on the board of Heritage Bank and on the Finance Committee for Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences. Ann is the past Board Chair of the Seattle Foundation having served as trustee for nine years. She and her husband Michael Pickett have two teenage sons. 

What do you love about Whitman?
The ability that Whitman has to support and develop students who can change the world. In our rapidly shifting world, we need the next generations of thinkers and leaders that Whitman develops. On a personal note, I value the many Whitman friendships that have spanned over four decades now.  

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
Whitman provided me with the foundation of critical thinking, writing and communication skills from which to build a meaningful and rewarding career. Board service is a way I can give back to the current and future Whitman community—the students, faculty and staff.   

Court G. Wyckoff ’00

Court G. Wyckoff earned his degree in Politics with a minor in History from Whitman College in 2000. He earned a Juris Doctor from Seattle University in 2005. He is the president of Wyckoff Farms, Inc., a family-owned agribusiness operation that focuses on producing high quality food and beverage ingredient products. Wyckoff joined the Whitman Board of Trustees in 2016. He and his wife have two daughters.

What do you love about Whitman?
Whitman College has played a very special and significant part in the history of my family. I grew up surrounded by family members that attended the institution and had the privilege of attending the college. Not only did my time at Whitman teach me to think critically, but it developed me holistically as a person. In my mind there are very few special academic institutions like our college.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
I am indebted to Whitman College and want to give back to the institution. I am passionate about assisting the college in confronting challenges to higher education and being part of the process that helps the institution better serve its constituents.