(L to R:) Ed Pottharst, Minh Chau Le, Juan Martinez

The Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) Program is pleased to announce the addition of three new project managers who joined the team in March. Each one brings with them a unique set of skills that will perfectly complement and enhance the strengths of the program.

Minh Chau Le brings eight years of experience as a P-Patch community garden coordinator. She possesses a wealth of experience and working knowledge of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) NMF Program and P-Patch Community Gardening Program. She previously assisted several community gardens with implementing their NMF-awarded projects. Prior to working in DON, she worked for a market garden-based work training program for low-income  and homeless youth.

Ed Pottharst is thrilled to join the Neighborhood Matching Fund team. As a neighborhood district coordinator for 13 years, he has worked in Queen Anne and Magnolia, Lake City and other North Seattle neighborhoods, and South Seattle neighborhoods. In addition, he helped plan and implement the People’s Academy for Civic Engagement (PACE). He looks forward to helping build stronger connections between DON’s wonderful programs and the communities we serve.

Juan Martinez has been a dedicated advocate for low-income families and underserved communities. He has a worked for a community organization that advocated for a progressive tax system to benefit working families. He was also a financial service specialist for the Washington Department of Social and Health Services where he worked with homeless families. Additionally, he also serves as a Commissioner for Seattle Housing Authority and was formerly on the board of directors of the Seattle Central Community College Foundation.