In 2003, Gary E. and James A. Milgard made a generous gift to UW Tacoma which led to the naming of the Milgard School of Business. This gift also endowed the Center for Leadership & Social Responsibility.
Joe Lawless graduated from Seattle University in 1987 and started his career with Ackerley Communications selling outdoor advertising. After three years of advertising sales, he spent time as the Sport Manager for the Ice Hockey competition of the Goodwill Games, and marketing/public relations positions for the Tacoma Stars (soccer) and Tacoma Rockets (hockey).
In 1991 Joe began a 14 year stay with Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, the last seven as the Executive Director of the Mary Bridge Children's Foundation. During that time Joe created the Courage Classic Bicycle Tour, built a model Children's Advocacy Center, and led The Campaign for Mary Bridge, a $15.5 million effort to build a new outpatient facility and an endowment fund for patient charity care. In 2006, Joe left Mary Bridge to become the Director of Corporate Partnerships for Tacoma Goodwill Industries. At Goodwill, he instituted a new organizational model for relating with area businesses to place individuals with barriers to employment back into the workforce as productive members of our communities.
After graduating with his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Washington Tacoma in 2007, he returned to the school to lead the newly created Center for Leadership and Social Responsibility. The Center's mission is to develop socially responsible leaders who build sustainable organizations and communities. As the Executive Director, Joe will lead the Center's activities geared toward education, scholarship and community engagement.
Professional Credential
Certified Fundraising Executive
Nonprofit Board Service
Washington Business Week (2008-present)
The Nonprofit Center (2008-present)
Association of Fundraising Professionals, South Sound Chapter (2006-present) Founding President
Shanaman Sports Museum (1994-present) Treasurer (1998-2005)
Other Service
Tacoma Goodwill Industries - Business Advisory Council
Joseph Lawless, MBA, CFRE
