Welcome Jessica and Joanna
This fall feels especially energizing at WAEF as we welcome two remarkable women to our team — Jessica Lara and Joanna Sanchez. Each brings a unique story and deep passion for helping students reach their dreams.
Jessica joins WAEF as our new Student Success Director. With more than a decade of experience in early learning and higher education, Jessica has spent her career helping students and families navigate their educational journeys with confidence. Her background includes leading efforts to revamp programs through strategic assessment, championing student achievement, and developing initiatives that strengthen family engagement; all with an emphasis on meaningful relationships and inclusion. Jessica holds an MBA and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree from Grand Canyon University and a bachelor’s in education from Trinity. She describes this new role as “a full-circle opportunity to invest in students who will give back to the same communities that shaped me.”
We’re equally thrilled to welcome Joanna as our Program & Operations Coordinator. Joanna’s connection to WAEF runs deep — she’s a former WAEF scholarship recipient and recent volunteer who now brings that same enthusiasm to our staff team. Born and raised in the Wenatchee Valley, Joanna was the first in her family to graduate from college, earning her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from WSU and her MBA from Grand Canyon University. Her perspective as a past scholar and her heart for students make her a natural fit for this role supporting WAEF’s students, marketing, and daily operations.
Together with Jennifer Witherbee, Executive Director, and Jamie Brunner, Assistant Director of Donor Relations, Jessica and Joanna complete Team WAEF (yes, the Four Js!), united by WAEF’s mission to help students from Washington’s tree-fruit industry thrive in college and beyond and return to our region to strengthen both the industry and our communities.
There’s a renewed sense of energy as we plan for the coming year. We’re taking a thoughtful look at how our programs serve students, refining them through robust assessment, data analysis, and genuine feedback from those we support. Through both data and storytelling, we’re learning not just what’s working but why it matters, using student voices and alumni experiences to shape stronger, more relevant programs.
We’re also focused on long-term sustainability — making sure WAEF remains strong and effective for decades to come. Like many of you and your companies, we’ve streamlined operations, reduced costs that don’t directly serve the mission, and strengthened and reenvisioned internal systems.
In that spirit, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to those who rallied around WAEF this year, maintaining or even increasing their support as both the industry and the foundation work to navigate a changing reality with optimism and care. Your continued partnership makes this progress possible and keeps WAEF rooted in purpose.
