Published December 9 2024
Eastside Foundation CEO to offer keynote address
With a keynote address from Eastside Foundation CEO David Bowling, Bellevue will celebrate the 2024 class of graduates from the city’s introductory program to civic engagement, known as Bellevue Essentials. The graduation ceremony and reception will take place Thursday, Dec. 12, 7-9 p.m. at City Hall.
In his keynote address, Bowling will discuss the “Power of Collaboration,” helping this year’s graduates to move into the next phase of civic engagement – from learning to action.
Bowling has spent the past 20 years supporting Eastside communities, many of them as executive director of Congregations for the Homeless (now Porchlight), which maintains a men’s shelter in Factoria. Since 2023, he’s been chief executive officer of Eastside Foundation, a nonprofit working to address social needs by engaging, connecting and mobilizing businesses and civic organizations through funding, convening and advocacy.
A graduate of Bellevue Essentials’ inaugural 2013 class, Bowling works to convene different sectors of the community to tackle complex social challenges - including homelessness and affordable housing - using innovative solutions. He is also a graduate of the Leadership Eastside program, which gives him a unique understanding of local leadership development programs.
This year’s class speaker, Naren Briar, will also share her own Bellevue Essentials experience. Briar has called Bellevue home for several years and worked on privacy and AI at Meta. She is the founder of Genocideedu.org, which provides sustainable solutions for genocide survivors and displaced families.
The graduation ceremony and dessert reception will also provide an opportunity for community members to learn more about Bellevue Essentials. The next class will commence in September 2025, with applications available in May.
To RSVP for the graduation or for information on participating in future Bellevue Essentials programs, contact Julie Ellenhorn at 425-452-5372 or jellenhorn@bellevuewa.gov.