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.

James Edmunds, ’78

Jim Edmunds earned his bachelor's degree in History from Whitman College in 1978. He began his career as a screenwriter and independent filmmaker before joining the interactive entertainment industry, where he was part of the founding team of Asymetrix Entertainment and later served as a producer at Electronic Arts. In 2000, Edmunds founded Ingeniux, a Seattle-based software company specializing in digital content management. In 2016 Ingeniux opened a Walla Walla office. He previously served on the Planned Giving Committee and as a member of the Board of Overseers and the President’s Advisory Board.

What do you love about Whitman?

One of the things I love most about Whitman is Friday afternoons at the Virginia Inn in Seattle, wrapping up the week with a table full of Whitman friends. It happened nearly every week, decades after graduation. My non-Whitman friends simply couldn't believe it. I love that.

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

I volunteer my time to help preserve what makes Whitman exceptional – its remarkable faculty, its dedicated staff, its enduring values, and its sense of place here in the Walla Walla Valley. As a Trustee, I hope to steward those qualities so they continue to shape the lives of students for generations to come.

Kirsten 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 Giordano ’88

Mark Giordano earned his Bachelor’s in Economics from Whitman in 1988. Mark spent most of his early career outside the U.S., initially working as an economist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and later at the Sri Lanka- based International Water Management Institute, the recipient of the Stockholm Water Prize–the “Nobel Prize for Water.” He is now Professor of Geography and Cinco Hermanos Chair in Energy and Environment at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. He holds the unofficial record for the number of diplomats trained in food and water security. Mark is from Walla Walla. 

What do you love about Whitman?

Its liberal arts education. It was valuable when I was a student. It is more valuable now.

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

I am honored to have the opportunity to pay forward what the Whitman staff and faculty offered me. 

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 Jr. ’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.

Karol Marcin ’95

Native of Slovakia, Karol Marcin came to the United States to study Economics at Whitman, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. After three years of investment banking in New York and Hong Kong, Marcin earned a master’s degree from Stanford. Before joining the board, he spent 25 years in public equity investing, covering a wide range of global industries. He lives in Northern California with his wife and children.

What do you love about Whitman?

Whitman brings together people from all around the world, exposes them to new ideas and teaches them to think critically about important issues of our times.

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

I would like to help Whitman continue its mission of preparing young people to succeed in life and to become contributing members of society.

Michelle Mathieu ’92

Michelle graduated from Whitman in 1992 with a degree in Economics. In the 30-plus years since, she has co-managed equity mutual funds, launched a trust company, and led wealth management firms. She currently serves as CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Fulcrum Capital, a majority-women-owned wealth manager serving individuals and nonprofits. Before joining Fulcrum in 2017, she was a Principal at The Rainier Group and co-founder of Perkins Coie Trust Company.

Michelle currently serves as an advisory board member for YouthCare and the Seattle Foundation. She has also remained deeply engaged with Whitman, serving on the Endowment Investment Committee, President’s Advisory Board, Board of Overseers and Planned Giving Advisory Council.

What do you love about Whitman?

I came to Whitman for the personalized and demanding education and the gorgeous setting. I stayed for the relationships. Some of my closest friends and supporters are classmates, professors, staff and alumni who have become part of my life over the years.

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

I believe in liberal arts education. Tomorrow’s leaders need creativity, resilience and the ability to tackle challenges from different perspectives. Whitman provides this transformative education, and I want to ensure future generations have access to these life-changing opportunities.

Dorothy (Dottie) Metcalf-Lindenburger ‘97

Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger earned her bachelor’s with honors in Geology from Whitman in 1997, teaching certification from Central Washington in 1999, and a master’s in applied geology from University of Washington in 2016. Metcalf-Lindenburger taught high school science before selection as a NASA astronaut. In 2010, she flew on a space shuttle to the ISS for a 15-day mission. Metcalf-Lindenburger worked as a geologist at Geosyntec Consultants (2016-2023) and created her own consulting business to continue global education in space exploration. She has served Whitman as a class representative, class reunion leader, and as chair of the President’s Advisory Board.

What do you love about Whitman?

I love Whitman because it gave me the tools and research opportunities for a life of learning, and it introduced me to friends and a network of mentors. Additionally, it allowed me to be a scholar athlete.

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

Whitman played such a pivotal role in my life that I want to make sure future generations have their own “Whittie” experience with numerous opportunities. Additionally, I want to support our incredible team of faculty and staff. 

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Ann Watson ’83

Ann Watson received 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 firm. In 2022, after 7 years as the Chief Operating Officer and CFO of Cascadia Capital, Ann shifted to full-time board work. In addition to serving as a Whitman Trustee, she is a long time board member of Heritage Bank and is on the board of Forterra, a Seattle based land conservation organization. Among her extensive corporate and non-profit board experience, Ann is the past Board Chair of the Seattle Foundation where she served as a trustee for nine years. She and her husband Michael Pickett live in Seattle and have two 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.