Lynne K. Varner. (LinkedIn Photo)

Washington STEM, a nonprofit focused on statewide STEM education and social change, named Lynne K. Varner as its new CEO, effective Aug. 1.

Varner comes from Washington State University, where she held multiple leadership roles including associate vice chancellor on the Everett campus. She is also a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist who was a reporter and columnist for the Seattle Times and The Washington Post. Varner served on the boards of the American Red Cross, the National Association of Black Journalists, and Cascade Public Media.

“With decades of experience working on education issues and policy, Lynne is an accomplished leader with a life-long commitment to broadening access to education,” Mary Snapp, Washington STEM board chair, said in a statement.

Milton Lang previously served as Washington STEM CEO but left after four months in June 2022. Lang had replaced Angela Jones, who is now at the Gates Foundation.

Founded in 2011, Seattle-based Washington STEM has 10 partner networks across the state, provides communities with investments and open-sourced tools, as well as advocating at the state and federal level.

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