Housing Program Director | HUD Housing Counselor | Education, Outreach & Community Development | Empowering Homeownership

I have had the pleasure of working alongside Trudy in our community for almost a decade. Through this, she has shown her dedication to help Thurston County’s asset-limited community obtain affordable housing. In addition to supporting her work, I have worked alongside her at the Thurston County Affordable Housing Advisory Board, a working group that supports the county’s Regional Housing Council.
Through this work, Trudy has been an engaged participant, making certain that all layers of housing and homeownership are given the support so community members have the opportunity for safe and reliable shelter. Trudy has brought to the Board her significant knowledge of the housing industry and oftentimes included the individual’s experience.
Trudy is also truly a community resource. She is the ever-present supporter and volunteer of nonprofits that serve our community. You can always find her volunteering her time to help support events and activities put on by our nonprofit partners in Thurston County and beyond.

Founder, All Kids Win, Lacey, WA

​I am the board chair and a founder of All Kids Win (providing weekend food to food insecure students in Thurston County). Our all-volunteer organization turned 20 years old this year. While we were strong in volunteers and community partners, we were not as strong in our systems. I plan to “retire” in the near future. We needed to get systems in place and document our procedures. Our board chose Trudy Soucoup to lead our retreat to get to work on these tasks.

Trudy came highly recommended by fellow nonprofits. Trudy truly exceeded our expectations. Her knowledge, experience, education, and expertise were remarkable. We left the retreat energized and focused on what we needed to do next. We are now armed with the tools needed to accomplish our goals and set new ones. We are delighted that we chose to work with the Mission Maven and we are grateful that she chose to work with us.

Executive Director, The Housing Authority of Thurston County

Trudy built Homes First into a significant provider of rental housing affordable for neighbors with very low incomes. The homes are intentionally scattered throughout neighborhoods, wisely avoiding income segregation. Trudy advanced a business model that facilitates opportunity and dignity. The homes are well-maintained. They enhance neighborhoods. Trudy brings high energy and strong ethical standards to her affordable housing passion. She combines compassion with business sense.

​ She engages with business managers/owners, government officials, activists, and other mission-driven providers, as well as engaging with residents to find solutions that benefit not only her organization but also communities throughout the state.

Trudy is creative at securing funds from new sources and maintains productive relationships with traditional donors and funders. While Trudy recently closed her long, successful chapter with Homes First, it is a safe bet that Trudy will continue working throughout the community and region advancing the noble work of getting people into decent housing that they can afford.

CEO, Third Sector Company and Founder, Interim Executives Academy

​I've worked with Trudy Soucoup for well over a decade and she is an example of the kind of nonprofit leadership that we would all aspire to emulate. Not only has she chaired our state association of nonprofits and is a highly sought commentator and teacher about best practices in nonprofit leadership, Trudy has consistently demonstrated the powerful influence that life-long learners can have on others.

She has made the development of her people, her boards, her colleagues, her community and herself a personal commitment that has become a core element of her professional brand. Whether it's her work in the arts or her fight to create affordable housing for all, I appreciate how she has mastered a blend of wit and wisdom to help others create wonders that benefit us all.

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Communications Director (ret.), Wolf Haven International

Trudy is a high energy, creative individual who approaches any problem, situation or obstacle as an “opportunity”, rather than a stumbling block. She is a multitasking and big picture thinker.
She was the first to bring Wolf Haven International into the world of social media; consequently, WHI had a presence on Facebook, You Tube, Twitter and other sites long before many other nonprofit organizations.
I enjoyed working with her enormously. The two of us co-produced a number of events (that Trudy initiated) and executed many successful promotional campaigns.
For any one looking for a mover and shaker who will never run out of ideas, enthusiasm and good humor, Trudy is your woman!​

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Director of Marketing & Communications (ret.), University of Calgary Students' Union

Trudy’s positive, energetic attitude has solid roots from the early days of her career. In 1989, I was fortunate to have a hard-working, enthusiastic young woman working for me who brought a spirit of generosity and community to both her workplace and her personal life. I admired her ability to embrace change, take risks and follow her intuition.

Over the years, she has taken advantage of her curiosity and willingness to learn to expand her knowledge and, in turn, share it with others. Trudy’s inclusive nature has attracted a variety of people and experiences into her life which she has accepted with the grace and composure of a true professional

Instructor, Human Resource Management (ret.), Chapman University

Anyone who meets Trudy is not likely to forget her. Some adjectives would be smart, creative, driven, goal-focused, and always always positive. I’ve never seen her hesitate to take on a challenge. She is always eager to learn as much as she can from any situation. Trudy is a joy to know, a joy to work with, and a joy to teach.

Founder, The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference

​The thing I love about Trudy is she does what she says she’s going to do and I don’t have to give it another thought. Whenever I see her name somewhere (an email, blog post, wherever), I always smile. She’s terrific to work with and a real joy to be around.

Specialist in Online Marketing for Travel & Hospitality and Co-Owner of the Swantown Inn B&B

I have worked with Trudy in a couple of different capacities. Firstly while she was Marketing Director at Wolf Haven, in a client relationship as we supported some of their advertising efforts. She produced an amazing array of marketing materials.
Secondly we both served on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee together, where she showed a depth and breadth of knowledge on community events and local not for profits.

Director, WA Procurement Technical Assistance (PTAC) for the Economic Development Council of Thurston County

​Trudy was very active in the Chamber of Commerce. I really enjoyed working with her. She always strongly represented the organization she worked for and was an asset to any team.

Professional Grant Writer and Instructor for the Evergreen State College Masters in Public Administration

Trudy is a colleague in the field of grant writing and development. She’s done a super job at Wolf Haven International – netting them high visibility in the local community, and developing a wide variety of effective and engaging events and outreach strategies. Since she’s been at Wolf Haven, I’ve seen more about them in the news and in event listings than in all the time before that combined!
Trudy’s fun to work with, and always helpful to colleagues, to boot

Executive Director (ret), the Washington Retail Assoicition

I have partnered with Trudy in a number of capacities over past six years. She is a strong and reliable representative of both the business and non-profit community of Thurston County. Trudy is not only creative in her approach to projects but also reliable in her follow-through. I look forward to partnering with her in the future.