Kirstin Sandaas

Kirstin Sandaas is joining Seattle Foundation as its new chief financial & operating officer. She will oversee finance, accounting, information systems, investment management, human resources and facilities. Sandaas comes to Seattle Foundation from Foss Maritime, a global marine transportation and logistics company, where she served as chief financial officer, beginning in 2007.

Sandaas joined Foss in 2004 and led the company’s financial management as it nearly doubled its revenue and transitioned from a West Coast-focused organization to a global marine services business. In addition to overseeing the finance and supply chain evolution, she led changes to standardize business practices and increase efficiency. She previously worked at Saltchuk and Sea Coast Towing. Other work experience includes Optiva Corporation and public accounting firms Ernst & Young LLP, Clark Nuber P.S. and Arthur Andersen & Co. Sandaas holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in accounting from the University of Washington. 

“We are very excited to have Kirstin Sandaas bring her extraordinary leadership and experience to Seattle Foundation as our new chief financial & operating officer,” said Tony Mestres, President and CEO of the Foundation. “Kirstin provides deep experience in strategic financial planning, accounting, operational discipline and oversight of large investment portfolios. Her passion for leadership excellence will help accelerate and support our mission to ignite powerful, rewarding philanthropy.”