Dear Building Changes Community,
After seven remarkable years at Building Changes—including the last four-and-a-half as executive director—I am writing to share that I will be stepping down from my role on July 1. I am honored to be joining the Washington State Department of Commerce as chief operating officer, where I will continue working to improve statewide support systems that align with the mission we’ve all been working toward together.
This critical mission—to support Washington’s children, youth, and families—is moving forward with real momentum. Building Changes is in a sound financial position. Our three-year strategic plan is on track to be adopted this year and many of the strategies we’ve been developing—whether around organizational stability, growing our donor base, or scaling systems impact—are beginning to show real traction.
Throughout this transition, the Board of Directors is leading a transparent and inclusive process to select my successor. I have every confidence that they will identify a leader who will honor our mission and build on our momentum.
I am forever grateful for the dedicated staff and leadership who have given me the space and grace to work for all of us at Building Changes. From navigating deficits to expanding our funding base and bringing on a statewide Board that better reflects the communities we serve, they’ve helped me understand what being an executive director is all about. It’s about fostering a sustainable and equitable organization. It’s about investing in staff growth, forging pathways to leadership, and creating a culture of belonging and inclusion that’s strong from the inside out. And yes, it’s about learning from the hard things, the projects that didn’t go as planned—and using those lessons to grow.
I am so proud of the real impact Building Changes makes in people’s lives. It’s through the innovative and community-driven solutions our dedicated staff carefully coordinate in 24 counties across Washington State. At a time when so many of our systems seem broken, we must have the clarity to recognize the proven programs that do work, and have the courage and conviction to invest in them.
This includes initiatives like the Washington Youth & Families Fund (WYFF), which for two decades has been a lifeline for thousands of families and youth experiencing homelessness, connecting them to permanent housing and stability. It’s programs like the Homeless Student Stability Program (HSSP), which last year’s increase provided direct, one-on-one support for students experiencing homelessness across dozens of school districts.
But without sustained funding and a long-term commitment from our elected officials, these programs and the progress they’ve delivered remain at risk, right when they’re needed most. The need is great. From Tacoma to Spokane, student homelessness is on the rise. This year, we released our K-12 Report, which revealed that more than 42,000 students—an all-time high—are experiencing homelessness in Washington’s public schools. Reports like these underscore the critical role that Building Changes plays in raising awareness about the needs of children experiencing homelessness in our communities.
Yet, as I reflect on my time here, what I realize is that what I’m most proud of isn’t in a report or policy document. It’s in our culture. It’s in the way we show up for one another. I will continue showing up for Building Changes.
As I wrote earlier this year, I believe the work ahead—despite its challenges—holds incredible opportunity. At Building Changes, we adopted “Leveling Up Our Collective Impact” as our theme for 2025, and that still resonates deeply with me. This is about seeing our work through a different lens and reimagining what’s possible.
Building true change is bigger than any single leader; it’s about the collective power of a team and a community that believe in the mission and in each other. I am deeply grateful for your trust, collaboration, and unwavering belief in the vision we share. I look forward to seeing many of you at our October 17 convening, and to staying connected as we continue advancing our shared mission—together.
– Daniel Narváez Zavala
Statement from Board Chairs: Judge Wesley Saint Clair and David Wertheimer
On behalf of the Building Changes’ Board of Directors, we want to share our deep gratitude for Daniel’s exceptional and steady leadership. During his time as executive director, our organization has grown stronger and more effective, while staying grounded in equity and connected to community.
This is a bittersweet moment for all of us. While we will miss Daniel’s leadership, we celebrate this exciting opportunity for him to expand his impact at a statewide level. We are also grateful to the staff, partners, and community members who make this work possible every day.
Daniel’s work has carried us forward and leaves us with real momentum. From guiding us through a pandemic to shaping our long-term vision for equitably addressing homelessness for children, youth, and families, Daniel’s leadership has positioned us for sustained success. We are also on sound financial footing. We have a healthy reserve, and will continue to make targeted investments over the next three years to ensure that our mission remains strong as we continue to deliver meaningful impact.
The Board is committed to a transition process that is thoughtful, transparent, and inclusive. Our goal is not just to select the next leader, but to ensure they inherit a strong foundation. We have begun a structured search, with staff leadership playing a key role, to ensure the next executive director inherits the momentum and vision that Daniel has helped cultivate.
We remain guided by our mission and unwavering commitment to Washington’s unhoused children, youth, and families—and we are confident in Building Changes’ ability to move forward with strength, clarity, and care.
We look forward to staying connected throughout this transition and will share updates as key milestones are reached.
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