Jim Cooper, President & CEO

Jim Cooper is the President and Chief Executive Officer for United Ways of the Pacific Northwest, the regional association for 32 local United Way organizations in Idaho, Oregon & Washington, since 2013. In this work he has also served as the interim CEO for three different local United Ways. He is a founding member of the United Way Worldwide Disaster Resilience Committee and a leadership member of Idaho, Oregon and Washington VOAD’s (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters) 

Jim served as an elected member of the Olympia City Council from 2011 through 2025 where he served on various committees including chairing the City Finance Committee, chairing the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency Board of Directors, the founding chair of the Thurston County Regional Housing Council and the founding president of the Olympia Metropolitan Parks District.   

Jim has 33 years of nonprofit, corporate and government leadership experience working with community organizations, governments and businesses to achieve positive outcomes for people and the environment. 

As an Army veteran, Eagle Scout and poverty abolitionist, Jim works to stand up for issues that financial mobility while aiming at his personal goal of the Pacific Northwest being the best place in America to grow up and live. 

Jim loves the outdoors and lives in Olympia, WA with his wife Thomasina, daughter Maggie, and their rescue dogs Rusty & Meli. 

 

Brooke Fisher-Clark, Executive Director, Imagination Library of Washington

Brooke is a champion for Washington children as current Executive Director of the Imagination Library of Washington. Brooke's vision, dream, and efforts to bring this program to all Washington early learners began in 2020 as she formerly managed the top performing Imagination Library affiliate in the state with most enrolled children, as Executive Director of United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties. She saw the way it united a community, and how effective it was at equipping children for a successful future, and she wanted this opportunity for all our children.

Brooke brings 20+ years of world-class hospitality, nonprofit, and leadership experience to this role, having served at renowned company's like Walt Disney World, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, and United Way. Brooke is a Rotarian having served as President for Rotary Club of Longview for the 2021-22 term, and she loves supporting her local community, having championed numerous events. She is married with two children, Anabelle (14), and Baron (5), who keep her plate full and exciting! In her free time, Brooke enjoys camping, entertaining, traveling and being her kids biggest cheerleader.

 

Angela French, Director of Marketing

Angela began her exciting journey with United Ways of the Pacific Northwest and the Imagination Library of Washington in May of 2022, bringing passion, creativity, and a strong desire to support and uplift Washington's youngest learners through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Angela is a passionate, highly motivated nonprofit professional with over 20 years of experience elevating important causes and initiatives that enhance people's lives and build thriving communities.

Her expertise in marketing, communications, and community outreach allow her to support our region's United Way organizations with collective collaboration on state and regional initiatives that create opportunities for everyone in every community to thrive. Angela also works closely with Washington's current Imagination Library program partners, aiding in their success of enrollment growth and sustainability. Prior to joining the ILWA team, Angela was the Resource Development Director at United Way of Lewis County for 14 years, working deeply with local organizations to lift families out of poverty in Lewis County. Angela also managed the local Imagination Library program in her community for three years.

In her free time, Angela loves spending quality time with family and friends, spontaneous adventures, volunteering in her community, traveling, and relaxing at the beach.

 

Alena Fridley, Program Manager

Alena joined the Imagination Library of Washington team in September 2022 as the Operations Assistant, and now serves at the Program Manager for both United Ways of the Pacific Northwest and Imagination Library of Washington. Her infectious enthusiasm and passion for helping kids is the perfect addition to the ILWA team. Alena was born and raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and enjoying it to the fullest by living full time in an RV. She has always had a passion for helping people, specifically our younger generations and has years of experience working with youth in underserved areas of Portland and SW Washington. She was so excited to be recently welcomed to the team and can't wait to see what we can accomplish together.

Alena loves hiking, camping, swimming, drawing or coloring in adult coloring books and spending time with family and friends. She loves a good rooftop bar or local craft brewery and any chance to see live music, you will find her there!