SEATTLE – Washington Policy Center (WPC), the state’s premier free-market think tank, announced today the hiring of one of the region’s most respected and successful development professionals, Steven L. Hatting as Chief Revenue Officer.  The announcement is the culmination of a nationwide search aimed at bringing WPC fundraising to a new level.

“Steven is an acknowledged high-impact player,” Mike Gallagher, President and CEO of WPC stated. “His resounding track record of success and leadership in the philanthropic community is exactly the boost we need to take Washington Policy Center to the next level.”

Hatting comes to WPC with more than 30 years of success in building programs, increasing resources and advancing missions. He spent fifteen years at the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington as an Assistant Dean for Development and External Relations and closed his career there as the Associate Dean for Advancement.  While Assistant Dean Hatting revamped a stalled eight-year campaign to exceed the original $150 million goal and secured more than $100 million in the last two and a half years of the campaign. As Associate Dean for Advancement, Hatting drove planning, communications, agendas, and solicitations resulting in more than $10 million annually from a volunteer executive board including multiple UW Foundation board members and two UW Regents.

Hatting will be coming to WPC directly from serving as the Chief Philanthropy and Experience Officer at the YMCA of Greater Seattle where he revitalized the 2023 Celebrating Community Changemakers event, attracting 500 additional guests and more than $600,000 in philanthropic support over 2022 totals. 

"Throughout my career, I've worked with amazing entrepreneurs and business leaders who improve lives with their innovations and enterprises.  It's the best part of the American Dream, and free markets are vital to creating the opportunity and prosperity on which that dream continues to be built across our state," Hatting explained.  "Philanthropy is a direct outcome of these successes, and Washington Policy Center’s work is essential for government accountability, government transparency, and the competition of ideas that build brighter futures. It's a significant source of the free-market solutions Washington needs now more than ever, and I look forward to helping WPC realize its philanthropic goals and programmatic potential for every Washingtonian moving forward.”

Hatting will officially start his new role at Washington Policy Center on November 15.

“Steven Hatting is one of the nation’s top fundraisers.  He applies entrepreneurial skills to deliver innovation and higher yields and was instrumental in building the financing of the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington,” observed Artie Buerk,  co-founder of the private equity firm Montlake Capital, past president of the Shurgard storage company, legendary former director of the University of Washington alumni fund and development office, and WPC Governing Member. “He will change Washington Policy Center and they will change this state for the better.”

Washington Policy Center is a non-partisan, non-profit, state-based think tank headquartered in Seattle but with staff across the state.  Its mission is to improve lives through free-market solutions and operates research centers focused on Transportation, Health Care, Government Reform, Small Business, Workers Rights, Education, the Environment and Agriculture. WPC research is provided free to legislators of any party, the media and the public via WashingtonPolicy.org.  WPC also sponsors a Young Professionals organization that provides scholarships and mentoring opportunities for younger leaders.