Mark Prentice joined the Foundation as its first-ever Director of External Relations in 2025. In his role, Mark leads the Foundation’s communications, public affairs, and external engagement.
In 2020, Mark founded the communications and public affairs consulting firm Union Street Strategies, which worked with mission-driven non-profit organizations, advocacy campaigns and coalitions, political candidates, and leading companies around the country.
Prior to that, Mark was a senior advisor and Communications Director for the Mayor of Seattle, advising the Mayor on communications and community engagement.
Mark was also a communications advisor to the late Paul G. Allen, a philanthropist and cofounder of Microsoft.
In Washington, D.C., Mark was the Communications Director for former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, retired NASA astronaut and Navy veteran Mark Kelly (USN, Ret.) — now a United States Senator from Arizona – at their national gun safety organization, Giffords Courage.
His public service included working in the United States House of Representatives as the Press Secretary and Speechwriter for Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY-17) while she served as the top-ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.
A proud third-generation Washingtonian, Mark graduated from Whitman College. A slow runner and somewhat passable home cook, he lives in Seattle’s Phinney Ridge neighborhood with his wife and son.