Laura J.

Matson
7137 35th Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98126
206.795.7386
lauramatson7@gmail.com
Formal Education:
M.A. Organizational Leadership, Gonzaga University, August, 2015.
Capstone Project: Women and Political Leadership, an online undergraduate
leadership course. This project is designed to identify gender issues in
leadership frames and strategies. Using the world of politics, students learn to
apply campaign strategies to organizational issues.
B.A. Political Science, with Department Honors, University of Washington,
Professional Experience:
2008
Present

Manager of Lifelong Learning, South Seattle College, Seattle, Washington.

Responsible for program development of non-credit, open enrollment continuing
education courses. Duties include producing annual marketing and strategic plan,
quarterly class schedules, financial planning and profit management,

2001
2008

Manager, Laura Matson Designs, Seattle Washington.

Owned and managed private company producing original, hand-crafted clothing
and accessories. Products accepted at over 75 juried arts and crafts fairs and
specialty boutiques.

1997
2001

Program Manager, Urban Health Initiative, Seattle, Washington.

Managed major events for local and national meetings for this non-profit
organization. Led the organization through strategic planning for national
educational programs. Developed and ran public relations and communication
campaigns in selected U.S. cities.

19931997

Director of Marketing and Communications, Associated General Contractors,

Seattle, Washington. Developed fundraising and strategic planning
strategies for public relations and communication systems. Managed all local and
state-wide events.

19851993

Manager, Matson Conference & Event Management, Seattle, Washington.

Provided consultation and event management for organizations. Clients included
Port of Seattle, Bechtel Corporation, and Tacoma Dome Hotel
Port of Seattle consultation included serving as a key consultant to the Ports
Cruise Ship Terminal Design and creating a marketing plan to attract cruise ship

Laura J. Matson Vita

business to Seattle. Doubled the amount of cruise ship traffic visiting Seattles
ports.
1975
1985

Director of Catering, Westin Hotels, Seattle, Washington. Directed a $4.8 million

Catering Department including sales, marketing, public relations, and staff
recruitment and training. Grew the department revenues from .9 million to 4.8
million. Developed key communication systems to establish strong guest
relations. Developed new employee training program adopted by other
departments in the organization.

Professional Certificates and Activities:

Member, Strategic Planning Committee Financial Development, South Seattle
College, 2015Professional Project Management Certificate, South Seattle College, 2015
Member, College Council, South Seattle College, 2012-2013
Washington Executive Leadership Academy graduate, 2010
Board of Directors member, Washington CASH Microlending Organization,
2004-2006
Certificate in Marketing, University of Washington 2004
Certificate in Advance Spanish Language, Instituto Mexico Americano de
Cultura, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, 1997
Certificate in Public Relations, University of Washington, 1995.
Academic Honors:
SeaGrant Scholar Nominee 1991
Harry S Truman Scholar Nominee, 1982
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Scholarship Recipient, 1985
Deans List for Academic Achievement, 1980-1984.
Political Science Department Honors Program, 1980
University of Washington Honors Program, 1980
Teaching Experience:
Multicultural Competency Training, South Seattle College, Seattle, Washington
Advancement of Excellence courses, Context International, Bellingham, Washington
Active Listening workshops, Context International, Seattle and Bellingham,
Washington
Basic English Grammar, Continuing Education, South Seattle College, Seattle
Washington
Small Business Financial Strategy, Washington CASH, Seattle, Washington
Consulting:
Becker & Associates, Seattle, Washington
Association of General Contractors, Seattle, Washington
Bechtel Corporation, San Francisco, California

Laura J. Matson Vita

Therapeutics Health Services, Seattle, Washington

Washington Jalisco Sister State Association, Renton, Washington
Tacoma Dome Hotel, Tacoma, Washington
Presentation:
Leadership Symposium 2015: Multicultural Education Matters. I presented the
findings of my Masters research on teaching multicultural courses using 10
Washington State Community Colleges curriculum and policies.
Personal:
Marital status: Married
Conversational Spanish