Board of Trustees

Joseph C. Davis ’80, chair

Miami, Florida

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.

Dana M. Reid ’89, vice-chair

Seattle, Washington

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.

Christina M. Dawson

Piedmont, California

Christina M. Dawson is the proud parent of alumnus Adam Dawson ’16. She is a native of London, England and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2007. Dawson has a passion for volunteerism and has undertaken many leadership roles. She is a member of the Cambridge in America Bay Area Committee, an Honoray Fellow of St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge, with a special interest in student wellbeing, is on the board of the Montana Academy Foundation, and is a Fellow Benefactor at Selwyn College. Dawson joined the Board of Trustees in 2017.

What do you love about Whitman?
I love our Residence Life program! As the parent of a first-year student, I was reassured by how the staff welcomed the students in to the community, and gave them a chance to feel supported, included and heard. I continue to be impressed with the program. Staff are enthusiastic, committed and well trained.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
I believe in the Whitman model and have experienced it as an engaged and engaging community. I bring a personal commitment to student welfare, which is my primary area of interest. I also strongly support the idea that students from all backgrounds could and should have the opportunity to benefit from the education we offer.

Barbara Sommer Feigin ’59

New York, New York

Barbara Sommer Feigin earned her degree in political science from Whitman College in 1959. She also earned a graduate degree in business administration from Harvard Business School and Radcliffe Graduate School. She retired as a member of the executive management team after a 30-year career with Grey Advertising, Inc., one of the world’s largest advertising and marketing communications companies. She joined Whitman’s Board of Trustees in 2014 and previously served 15 years as an overseer.

What do you love about Whitman?
My Whitman experience was transformational; it changed the course of my life. It opened my mind to big new ideas; it gave me confidence to dream big and pursue my dreams; and it was during my Whitman experience that I made some of my dearest lifelong friends.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
With a financial aid package, Whitman made it possible for me, a refugee from Nazi Germany, to attend this outstanding college and get a superb education, something I would never have been able to do without Whitman’s help. It’s now my turn to help Whitman as a member of the board, focusing on working to forge a pathway to ensure the college and our students continue to thrive in the future.

Danielle Garbe Reser '97

Walla Walla, Washington

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. 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.

Mark Kajita

Walla Walla, Washington

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.

Gordon H. Keane ’68

Portland, Oregon

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

Santa Barbara, California

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.

Nathaniel Miles

Seattle, Washington

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

Bellevue, Washington

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. Montgomery has recently launched her own consulting business to continue the work of her career independently. Montgomery 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.

James R. Moore ’66

Salt Lake City, Utah

James R. Moore graduated from Whitman College with a degree in economics in 1966. He went on to earn a Juris Doctor from Duke University in 1969. In 2013, he retired as executive vice president and general counsel for Huntsman Corporation. Moore joined the Whitman Board of Trustees in 2013, and has previously served as an Overseer and on many committees. He is married to Kathryn Lindquist ’66.

What do you love about Whitman?
I love its strong academic side, combined with a well-rounded experience that, in my view, can only broadly be provided by a small college. For me that meant that I was able to participate in student political activities, be a resident assistant in the freshman dorm, participate in intramural athletics on behalf of my fraternity, take part in varsity athletics, as well as be challenged intellectually by wonderful professors and bright classmates.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
I volunteer because I believe Whitman contributes in very important ways in making this a better world.

William R. Neff ’67

Greenwood Village, Colorado

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.

Charles Nelson ’83

Anacortes, Washington

Charles Nelson is a 1983 graduate of Whitman with a degree in chemistry and economics. He now works as 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 friendship. 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.

Charley Rosenberry ’81

Vashon, Washington

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

Woodside, California

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.

Akshay Shetty ’99

New York, New York

Akshay Shetty earned his degree in economics from Whitman College in 1999. Originally from Bombay, India, he went on to earn an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in 2006. Shetty is CEO of Combe, Inc., a private company operating in the health, beauty and personal care industry. He joined the Whitman College Board of Trustees in 2016. Shetty and his wife have two children.

What do you love about Whitman?
Whitman, in my mind, is synonymous with opportunity and growth. As a first-generation, 18-year-old immigrant to the U.S., Whitman took a chance on me and gave me the opportunity and tool-kit to become the person I am today, to have the career I have today, and to lead the life I live today. And Whitman has done the same thing for so many other Whitties. I love that about the school.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
Whitman had a transformational impact on my life. When I think of service, I can’t think of a better organization to support — one that continues to have outsized and disproportionate impact on the education, career and lives of its students. It’s a special place that needs to be nurtured, developed and enhanced.

Jonathan N. Sposato ’89

Seattle, Washington

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.

Denise Garvey Tabbutt ’87

Seattle, Washington

Denise Garvey Tabbutt earned a degree in psychology, with a minor in French, from Whitman College in 1987. She is a principal shareholder at Saltchuk Resources Inc., one of Washington state’s largest private companies. She joined the Whitman Board of Trustees in 2015. She and her husband, Mark N. Tabbutt ’86, are the proud parents of three children, including Nick ’17 and Sam ’19.

What do you love about Whitman?
The friendships I have developed and continue to develop in the Whitman community.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
I love being on campus and soaking up inspiration from the students and faculty. I want to do my part in ensuring Whitman is thriving well into the future.

Julie Taylor

Seattle, Washington

Julie Taylor is the proud parent Whitman alumnus Brooke Taylor ’18. Taylor joined the Whitman College Board of Trustees in 2018. She earned a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering in 1989 and a Master of Science in materials engineering and operations management in 1991, all from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is the former director of business development at Physio-Control, Inc.

What do you love about Whitman?
I love Whitman for the passion I see in the students, faculty and staff about excellence in the liberal arts. It's wonderful to always see students are so engaged with the college, friends and community.

Why do you volunteer your time on the Board of Trustees?
I am excited to be able to bring a parent's and engineer's perspective to the Board of Trustees, and I love that the board is so open to different viewpoints in our pursuit to ensure that the college is positioned for success now and in the future, developing students and faculty that will make a real difference in our fast-changing world.

Sarah O. Wang ’89

Honolulu, Hawaii

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

Seattle, Washington

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

Yakima, Washington

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.