Emily Yim (she/her)
President & Chief Executive Officer
Emily Yim is a visionary leader dedicated to building equitable pathways for the next generation of students across Washington State.
Ms. Yim is a recognized statewide leader in education, governance, and community advocacy, driven by the core belief that access and equity are foundational to a thriving society.
As the President & CEO of Washington Alliance for Better Schools (WABS), Emily collaborates with a robust partnership of school districts, industry, and the community. Her leadership is focused on eliminating barriers for students furthest from opportunity, ensuring they have the support and resources to embrace their individual strengths, passions, and professional dreams. She works closely with the Board of Directors, which includes K-12 Superintendents and influential industry figures, to embed equity and opportunity into the fabric of every partner school.
Ms. Yim has dedicated much of her career to strengthening Washington's educational institutions. She currently serves as a member of the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, where she advocates for and directs the state’s system of 34 public community and technical colleges. Her long service includes 13 years as a Trustee at Edmonds College, where she oversaw two successful Presidential transitions.
Nationally, Emily has been a leading voice in college governance, serving as Chair of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) in Washington, D.C., where she guided policy advocacy for over 520 governing boards. She also served on the national board of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the primary advocacy organization for the nation's 1,000+ community colleges. Today, she continues to serve as faculty for the AACC, mentoring and preparing the next generation of Community College Presidents.
In addition to her education work, Emily is a passionate advocate for community health. She is a board member of the Providence Central Region Board, which guides nine hospitals, supports 17,000 employees, and oversees $3.2 billion in annual revenue. Her background also includes impactful roles in local government and philanthropy: she was the founding Director of the Department of Neighborhoods and Community Affairs for the City of Lynnwood and served as Vice President of Community and External Affairs at Chase, overseeing and investing a $29 million annual philanthropic budget.
Emily holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington.
