Rita Ryder joined the 501 Commons Board of Directors in September 2020 and serves on the Ambassador and Linkage Committee.

As Director of Member Services at YWCA USA, Rita focused on strengthening the governance, fundraising, and financial management capacity for 200 local associations throughout the United States.

Earlier, she served as the long-term executive director of YWCA Seattle-King-Snohomish County. She significantly expanded the association’s programs to break the cycle of homeless and poverty, enable women to prevent and overcome domestic violence, and economically empower women and families. Under her leadership, the YWCA built its annual fund to $1.5 million, completed three major capital campaigns, expanded its Planned Giving and Endowment Programs, and developed eight new facilities to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families throughout the region.

Prior to joining the YWCA, Rita was a management consultant and project director with Booz-Allen and Hamilton in Washington DC.

Rita is a member of the International Women’s Forum, the YWCA World Service Council, and the Seattle Rotary. Earlier, she served on the boards of the Downtown Seattle Association, the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, and the Seattle University Master of Non-Profit Management Visiting Committee. She was also an assistant affiliate professor in the graduate program at the University of Washington School of Social Work.