by Michael Craw, MPA Director June 14, 2023

Each year, the Evergreen MPA faculty recognize a state, local, tribal, or nonprofit leader in Washington whose record of public service exemplifies our program’s motto, “Be the Change.”  Korbett has built his career around the task of enriching our communities and making Washington a more equitable place to live. In his current role as the Chief Strategy Officer for the Pac Mountain Workforce Development Council, Korbett manages the Council’s $7.5 million investment portfolio and develops strategic partnerships that support job creation and economic development, address opioid and justice-impacted people, and increase pay and reduce poverty. In his previous roles as a senior policy analyst for the City of Tacoma, as deputy director for asset development for Tacoma’s Metropolitan Development Council, as Director of Family Stability Initiatives for United Way of Pierce County, Korbett led efforts to reduce poverty, improve access to housing, and pursue racial justice across the South Puget Sound region.

In addition, Korbett demonstrates an impressive commitment to our communities through his service on the Community Workforce Agreement Task Force, the board of the Puyallup Watershed Initiative, the Pierce County Black Collective, and Tacoma’s Human Service Commission.  I am also proud to say that Korbett is an alum of our Master of Public Administration program, graduating in 2017. In addition, Korbett earned his bachelor’s degree right here at Evergreen.  And he lends his talents to Evergreen today as a member of The Evergreen State College Foundation’s Board of Governors.  Indeed, my paths have crossed multiple times with Korbett’s in the work of Pierce County’s homelessness Continuum of Care.

Korbett’s efforts have been previously recognized across our region with the Tacoma Urban League Trailblazer Award, by the Rotary Club’s Community Service Award, and the Allen AME Church’s Community Service Award.  If you are interested in pursuing a career like Korbett’s, you are in luck: in 2018 he published a career planning workbook titled My Plan: A Journal to Help You Shape a Vibrant, Successful Future.

In all of his roles, Korbett exemplifies what it means to “be the change” in public service in our state and communities. 

Congratulations Korbett!