We write to share important news about Washington CAN's leadership. After ten years of transformative service, our Executive Director, Mary Le Nguyen, has announced that she will be departing at the end of this year. Mary's last day with Washington CAN will be December 31, 2025.
When Mary became Washington CAN's first Executive Director of color in December 2015, she brought both lived experience and a deep commitment to racial, gender, and economic justice. Under her leadership, our organization has achieved remarkable victories that have improved the lives of countless Washingtonians.
Highlights of Mary's Leadership:
Mary has guided Washington CAN through some of our most significant policy wins, including:
Healthcare Access: Helping preserve the Affordable Care Act through sustained grassroots pressure. Winning permanent Universal Health Care Commission legislation in 2021. Successfully advocating for immigrant healthcare funding in 2024 and prescription drug cost reduction policies in 2022.
Housing Justice: Passing eviction reform policies in Federal Way through the initiative process in 2019. Key partner in the successful campaign for Seattle's Social Housing Initiatives in 2023 and 2025, establishing and funding a public housing developer for low and middle-income residents. Winning move-in fee legislation in Seattle that capped rental costs and required payment plans. Extending the "pay or vacate" period from 3 to 14 days and establishing just cause eviction protections statewide.
Workers' Rights: Key partner in qualifying and passing the increased minimum wage ballot initiatives in Tukwila in 2022 and in Burien in 2025. Led the signature gathering efforts in 2025 to qualify for the Workers Bill of Rights initiatives in Olympia and Tacoma.
Democracy Reform: As part of a coalition, led the door-to-door field outreach efforts in the successful renewal of the Democracy Voucher Program in Seattle in 2025. This publicly-funded program provides Seattle residents with four $25 vouchers to donate to candidates in Seattle municipal elections.
Criminal Justice Reform: Passing HB 1181 in 2025, this policy expands the Clemency & Pardons Board to include community members and requires the board use a racial equity lens when reviewing cases. Passing Senate Bill 6164 in 2020, allowing resentencing for individuals whose original sentences were disproportionate to their crimes, and organizing sustained efforts for second chance legislation.
Immigrant Rights: Organizing communities to pass Auburn's inclusive city resolution in 2017, protecting immigrants at the local level.
Grassroots Power: Strengthening our membership base and building a diverse, experienced team of organizers who reflect the communities we serve. Maintaining Washington CAN's reputation as one of the largest grassroots organizations in Washington State.
Mary's leadership has been characterized by her commitment to centering those most impacted by injustice, building coalitions across movements, and achieving tangible policy wins that make a real difference in people's lives. She has positioned Washington CAN as a leading voice for economic fairness, racial justice, and democratic participation in our state.
Looking Forward
Washington CAN remains strong, stable, and well-positioned for continued impact. Much of our stability comes from our highly-trained field and phone canvass teams that engage community members everyday to take collective action, recruit dues-paying members, and bring in 45% of the organizational income through small dollar contributions. Washington CAN has solid financial footing, an experienced and committed staff, strong grassroots membership, and ongoing campaigns that will continue without interruption.
The Board of Directors is already moving forward with our succession plan. We will be appointing an interim Executive Director to ensure continuity of operations and leadership while we conduct a comprehensive search for Mary's permanent successor. We are committed to a thoughtful, inclusive hiring process that will identify a leader who can build on our strong foundation.
We are deeply grateful for Mary's dedication, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to justice. She leaves behind a stronger, more effective organization and a legacy of meaningful change for communities across Washington State.
In the coming weeks, we will share more details about our transition process and search timeline. We look forward to your continued partnership as we write the next chapter of Washington CAN's 40+ year history of fighting for justice.