Two of our staff members, Development Director Sam Hatzenbeler and Operations Associate Melanie Mazza, are moving into new and different roles at EOI. Sam will now be a policy associate for health and Melanie will take over managing development. To those who relied on them in their previous positions, they wrote these notes:

Sam Hatzebeler

I am excited to share some great news with the EOI community. After four years of serving as EOI’s development director, I am thrilled to announce I am transitioning to be a policy associate.

I originally started at EOI as a policy fellow in 2014 while earning my master’s in public health at the University of Washington. After graduating, I began to manage our fundraising efforts. I have truly loved this role – especially because of the amazingly generous supporters of EOI! But now, I have the opportunity to put my passion, my degree and my expertise to work alongside allies around the state to advance affordable and accessible health care for everyone.

I have been passionate about health care access from a young age. My mom worked three jobs, yet we relied on public assistance to meet our basic needs. It was during these formative years that I developed my understanding of injustice and my passion for building community power. I feel gratified and excited by this chance to pursue health equity for all. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at sam@opportunityinstitute.org or 206-529-6375 if you want to collaborate or share your story about how the health care system has impacted you!

I am also thrilled that Melanie will be taking over managing our fundraising department. I have full faith in her to bring the resources we need to pursue equity to the fullest in our state!

Melanie Mazza

I am eager and honored to step into the role of development manager at EOI. Working as EOI’s development and operations associate for the last year and a half has been a pleasure, and I am thrilled to continue supporting EOI in this new capacity. It’s clear to me that EOI’s community is full of the most driven, inspiring, and generous people in Washington state (and beyond!), and I can’t wait to fight for economic justice by your side.

Many congratulations to Sam on her transition to health policy, and many thanks for her leadership as development director over the last several years.

If you would like to get in touch with me to talk more about EOI, fundraising, or anything else, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at melanie@opportunityinstitute.org or 206-529-6350. I look forward to working with you to advance equity and justice in Washington State!