“Leadership is about showing up, doing the work, and giving back.” Stephæn Harrell, a Class I alumnus of Leadership Tri-Cities (LTC), has built his career on service. From AmeriCorps to youth leadership and community projects, he has worked to create opportunities for others. He recently donated to the Leadership Tri-Cities endowment fund to help future leaders access the program. His story is a call to invest in the community. 

A Life of Service 

Harrell grew up in a small town in Germany and moved to the U.S. as a teenager when his father, an Army helicopter pilot trainer, was stationed here. He attended Western Washington University and committed himself to civic work. 

A turning point came when he met Jim Ball, the former Executive Director of United Way. Ball invited Harrell to visit the Tri-Cities. Harrell found a strong community and a place to make a difference. He took a job at Battelle and began his work in local leadership. 

“I wasn’t planning to move,” Harrell recalls. “But Jim gave me a tour, and I saw something special. He called me a week later and asked, ‘Are you ready to move?’ His persistence and belief in this place stuck with me.” 

The Leadership Tri-Cities Experience 

In 1994, Harrell joined the first Leadership Tri-Cities class. The program connected him with others who wanted to build a stronger region. 

“I thought I knew everyone in town,” Harrell jokes. “But Leadership Tri-Cities showed me how much more there was to learn.” 

After moving to Tacoma in the late 1990s, Harrell supported crime prevention and youth programs, including efforts connected to the Safe Streets Campaign. He worked with people like Charles Carson, who, as a teen, launched Tacoma's midnight basketball program. Thirty-plus years later, it's still going strong. 

 “I met Charles when he was just a young guy looking for a way out,” Harrell says. “He took every opportunity and built something bigger. That’s leadership—giving people the tools to create change.” 

A Legacy of Giving Back 

Harrell stays involved with Leadership Tri-Cities and often attends LTC’s First Fridays. His donation to the endowment fund reflects his belief in the program. 

“I wanted to help more people access leadership training,” Harrell says. “Some can’t afford the program, but we need leaders from every part of the community.” 

He also sees a need for more diversity in leadership. “The complexion of leadership needs to change,” he says. “We need perspectives from all parts of the community to make a real impact.” 

An Invitation to Invest in the Future 

Harrell’s story shows that leadership is about lifting others up. His donation to LTC is a challenge for others to give back. Supporting programs like Leadership Tri-Cities ensures that new leaders, no matter their background, can grow and contribute. 

“If you’ve been part of Leadership Tri-Cities or benefited from mentorship, consider giving back,” Harrell says. “It doesn’t have to be a big check. Just showing up for someone can change their future.” 

Support us!

Leadership Tri-Cities shapes future leaders, thanks to alumni and supporters like Stephæn Harrell. If you want to donate or learn more, visit leadershiptricities.com 

Great leaders don’t appear—they grow through opportunity and support. By investing in Leadership Tri-Cities, you invest in the community’s future. 

Thank you, Stephæn Harrell, for your service, generosity, and commitment to making a difference!