News

We are thrilled to announce that Steve Saalfeld will be re-joining the CWA Senior Leadership Team as our new Director of Institutional Advancement in July!

Steve comes to Charles Wright from Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, where he served as a Philanthropy Advisor supporting local families with their philanthropy, building relationships with professional advisors, and supporting local nonprofits with building reserve funds and advising on their planned giving programs. Prior to GTCF, Steve spent six years at MultiCare Foundations as a Major Gifts Officer raising funds for both Good Samaritan Foundation and Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation.

This marks a return to CWA for Steve, who served in the Admissions Office from 2005-2017 (Director of Admissions & Financial Aid from 2008-2017). He is the proud dad of four Tarriers, and he and his spouse, Jennifer, live in Fircrest. He serves on the Board of Directors for The ARK Institute of Learning and loves to hike and enjoy the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. On a sunny day, you might find him enjoying a good book in the treehouse he built “for the kids” in his backyard. When he begins in July, Steve will lead our Development and Alumni Relations team, with the goal of creating a strong culture of philanthropy at our school.

For Steve, working at Charles Wright in the Office of Admissions was never simply a job. He said, “This community was an extension of my family. I started here in the Admissions Office the same year my oldest son began his Tarrier journey in Kindergarten. Before we knew it, all four of our kids were enrolled here. CWA was our “home away from home” as we watched our kids grow and thrive, and I was constantly reminded of a former colleague’s words (Thank you, Marc Janes) that “Charles Wright is a place that will inspire you to become the best version of yourself.” Returning to Charles Wright is exciting and humbling—though I spent many years working here, the school has evolved, and I come in knowing I have my own experience to share, but I also have a lot to learn. I look forward to that journey of discovery with a talented leadership team committed to living up to Sam and Nathalie Brown’s vision of the education here being equal to that of the best schools in the country.”