Dan Kittle has been named a finalist in Herald Business Journal (HBJ) Emerging Leaders award, which seeks to highlight and celebrate people who are doing good work in Snohomish County. Despite his hectic work schedule, Kittle still finds time to give back to the local community. He coaches basketball at the Boys and Girls Club in Mukilteo, Washington. Kittle and his wife, Rachel, founded Leadership Launch, a nonprofit that mentors youth who want to make a lasting impact in their communities but may face personal or financial hardship.
“The goal of our program is to work with a group of (teen) leaders that can go out and work and empower others,” Kittle said.
Every Sunday, the group assembles at the Kittles’ Mukilteo home to chat, eat a homemade meal and meet with adult volunteers and community leaders.
“Dan picks students up and drops them off. He helps with curriculum and assists students with editing their school papers. He facilitates meetings, and participates in every meeting,” a nominator wrote.
One of the high school students that Kittle mentors asked him to attend a school sporting event. Kittle got up early and worked late to fulfill his promise to the student, because he wanted to show the student how proud he was.
The winner will be named at an event on April 11.