Last spring, we welcomed Sunil Sanghani to Solid Ground’s Board of Directors. Sunil is a Strategic Alliances leader at Tableau Software where he manages partnerships that help define Tableau’s strategy with leading technology platforms.

Prior to Tableau, Sunil worked with Microsoft, Time Inc., and startups in roles spanning global business development and strategy. A graduate of Clemson University, he grew up in Mumbai, India. He and his wife Monica, a hospice social worker, moved to Seattle in 2000 after living in New York City for a decade. Their passion is animal rescue, and they both work with various animal rescue organizations globally.

Sunil’s introduction to Solid Ground came via his participation as part of Tableau Foundation’s Community Grant Committee. While reviewing a Solid Ground grant application, he had the opportunity to meet with staff, which led him to volunteer for a day on our Sand Point Housing campus. This gave him a clearer understanding of the challenges and problems that Solid Ground is trying to tackle, as well as the agency’s role in working to build an equitable community.

Some fun details about Sunil, in his own words:

Q: What is your favorite social media platform? Do you follow anyone interesting?

A: Twitter! I follow Jane Goodall, Born Free, Pasado’s Safe Haven, and various animal rescue organizations across the world.

Q: How would you define personal success?

A: My definition of success is around the ongoing journey of personal growth and awareness. We are all connected, and I am striving to become more connected to our fellow beings – humans and animals – and the planet. So I do not look at success as a material state or goal but rather as a journey of self-awareness.

Q: Who or what are you inspired by?

A: I am inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Pasado’s Safe Haven, Born Free (Will Travers and Virginia McKee), Sea Shepherd, and Ayrton Senna. These are people and organizations that have fought for establishing equality between all beings – human and animal.

Q: What are some fun things you like to do in your spare time?

A: I enjoy reading, golfing, walking, traveling. We lost our Labrador retriever three years ago, and I miss the early morning and late evening walks together, and sitting in the parks with her.

Q: Do you have a book or movie you would like to recommend?

A: My favorite movie is the original Blade Runner. I’d recommend the book The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown – based on the true story of the 1936 University of Washington rowing team.

Q: What’s one question you hope no interviewer ever asks you and how would you answer it?

A: I hope that no interviewer ever asks me about my childhood – but if asked, I would be honest and share my experiences in the hope that other kids and teenagers who feel that all is lost take hope and never give up on their dreams.

Sunil says he feels connected to Solid Ground’s work, mission, vision and values through the belief that an equitable and compassionate community is critical to the well-being of future generations. We do have an obligation to each other; Sunil would encourage people never to give up on their dreams.

Questions about  Solid Ground’s Board of Directors? Contact Mary Kay Olson at 206.694.6804 or marykayo@solid-ground.org.