We’re thrilled to welcome three new members to the Bellevue LifeSpring family. Each of them brings something unique to our Partnerships & Investment team, and each deeply believes in what this community can be.
Read along as Liz Hett, John Paine, and Seth Walker share a little about what brought them here and what drives them.
Meet Liz
What drew you to this role?
“I love keeping things organized and making systems work better. To me, Partnerships & Investment means you aren’t making a ‘gift’ that you expect nothing in return for. It means together we can make a tangible impact, like keeping a family of five in their apartment this week, and also realize a stronger future in Bellevue, where no child is hungry or unhoused.”
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Bellevue LifeSpring?
“We’ve been here for over 100 years! And we are still listening, learning, and adapting to best support our community.”
What does community mean to you?
“It means neighbors knowing and caring for each other in relational and tangible ways.”
Meet John
What drew you to this role?
“Growing up in Bellevue gave me a unique perspective on the region’s changes and on the disparities that directly impact so many children here. I feel so fortunate to be part of an organization making such a substantial difference in the lives of kids and their families.
To me, Partnerships & Investment is about building trusted relationships with caring people who have the opportunity to affect positive change where they live. I love learning about people’s stories, their backgrounds, and what they care about most.”
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Bellevue LifeSpring?
“That every child and family face challenges unique to them, and our team is often able to provide specific solutions based on individual need. I think that’s really special.”
What does community mean to you?
“Community means a group that is united, rather than individuals operating independently. A true community thrives by coming together to support its most vulnerable members. We are all better as a collective.”
Meet Seth
What drew you to this role?
“The mission drew me in, but what really sealed it was the philosophy behind the work. I’ve always believed that partnerships are simply people working with other people. When I learned more about Bellevue LifeSpring, it was clear the team puts a real emphasis on building deep relationships and treating investors as exactly what they are: real people with a genuine desire to make a difference. To me, ‘Partnerships & Investment’ isn’t about transactions. It’s about trust, shared purpose, and showing up for each other over the long haul.”
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Bellevue LifeSpring?
“The need. Bellevue has a well-earned reputation as one of the most affluent cities in the country, but that doesn’t mean every family here has the same resources. There are communities being left behind, and over 5,000 children in this city are facing hunger right now. That’s not a problem somewhere far away. That’s our community. The more people truly understand that, the more powerful this work becomes.”
What does community mean to you?
“Community is a collective group working together for a common purpose, and I believe it’s a community’s obligation to look after its most vulnerable members. In Bellevue, that means making sure every child has what they need to show up, focus, and thrive. When we invest in kids, we’re creating generational impact.”
We’re so glad to have Liz, John, and Seth on the team. If you’d like to connect with our Partnerships & Investment team, reach them at [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected].
