Dedicated to making college admission possible for
talented, motivated and economically disadvantaged students.

Board of Directors

Greg Abbott – Greg is currently in his fourth year as a volunteer coach in the CAN program. Greg has been a business executive and attorney in the life sciences industry for almost 30 years. Currently, Greg provides business strategy advice and is a consulting expert on licensing and business transactions in the high tech and biotech industries. His current law practice is devoted to pro bono legal aid involving immigrant rights cases. He received his J.D. with honors from the University of Denver College of Law and holds a B.A. in economics from Yale University.

Scott Barnhart, M.D., M.P.H. – Scott is a physician and faculty member at the University of Washington Schools of Medicine and Public Health. He practices medicine at Harborview Medical Center and focuses his efforts on health system strengthening in developing countries.  He is a former medical director of Harborview Medical Center and received an residency and specialty training and a MPH from the University of Washington, MD from George Washington University and a BA from St. Lawrence University.  He was a Seattle School Board Director from 1991-1999.

Ray Blakeney (CAN Vice-President) – Ray is currently working at a non-profit based in Seattle.  He spent 10 years at Microsoft, most recently as the Global Program Manager for the Microsoft Academy for College Hires. Prior to working at Microsoft, Ray worked in college admissions and government. Ray holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Dayton and did Masters work in Higher Education Administration at Boston College. He is the first in his family to receive a college degree.

Amy Hagopian, Ph.D. (CAN Education Committee Chair) – Amy was chair of the Garfield PTSA when CAN was founded, and was a champion for affiliating the two organizations. She is on the faculty at the University of Washington School of Public Health, where she teaches evaluation, policy, community development and international health.  She is a former Seattle School Board member (1990-1993).

Bruce Jacobsen (CAN Board President) – Bruce Jacobsen's father was the first in his family to attend college. Bruce has volunteered as a tutor at Garfield and as treasurer of the McGilvra Elementary School PTA. He currently runs a company that designs digital curriculum.  Local schools using his curriculum include Nathan Hale, Roosevelt, Seattle Academy and the Northwest School. Other non-profit experience includes serving on the board of Trust for Public Land, and being one of the early supporters of Room to Read. Prior to starting his own company, Bruce worked for Microsoft, including running the Kids and Games business unit, and at RealNetworks as chief operating officer and president.

Lewis Levin (CAN Treasurer) – Lewis is a product of public schools—primary, secondary, and college (until graduate school)—who turned out OK.  That is the American Way that CAN helps to preserve.  In addition to joining the CAN board, Lewis has started a private foundation to focus on promoting tolerance and encouraging business openness to environmentalism.  Previously, Lewis worked in the software industry for 30 years, including 24 years at Microsoft.

Donna Lou (CAN Development Committee Chair) – Donna is a community volunteer who currently sits on the board of The Seattle Foundation and Washington Women's Foundation and is an active member of Social Venture Partners. Donna has also worked at The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and at Microsoft Corporation. Donna was in the first generation of her family to attend college.  She graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in political science.

Linda Straley (CAN Secretary) – After 20 years, Linda recently retired from the faculty of Seattle Academy (SAAS) where she taught Spanish and English and served as Director of College Counseling, a position she held for 13 years.  Linda has a B.A. degree in history from Smith College and has taught middle school in Guatemala and Panama.  She is currently serving as Board Secretary and on the CAN Education Committee.

CAN Founder

Julia Schechter – Julia began volunteering as a Garfield community volunteer and founded the College Access Now Program.  She is currently serving as Executive Director of CAN. Before starting a family, Julia held a staff position with the Assembly Higher Education Subcommittee in Sacramento, CA; worked on number numerous political campaigns and taught sixth grade in a Redwood City School District bi-lingual classroom.  She has a BA in Politics from U.C. Santa Cruz and a Masters in Education Policy and Administration from Stanford University.

P.O. Box 22999, Seattle, WA 98122