This is one of 12 finalists for The Herald Business Journal’s annual Emerging Leaders awards for 2022. The winner will be named at an event on April 13.
Heidi Schauble
Career Path Services, Program Operator
Age 30
A high school teacher told Heidi Schauble that the best way to repay her — was to make a difference in other people’s lives.
Schauble took her advice seriously.
“I grew up as a low income Queer student with physical and developmental disabilities,” Schauble said. “I would not be where I am today without the support of a community that invested me. I am committed to using my experience to generate equitable access for marginalized populations.”
Schauble leads Woodinville Social Justice, a local group whose gatherings and events promote social justice. She was a volunteer for Eastside Pride, a nonprofit. In 2020, she helped organize a rally in support of Black Lives Matter in Woodinville, an event in which city council members, legislators and the chief of police took the podium.
Schauble is currently a program operator with Career Path Services, overseeing programs for dislocated workers and people receiving public assistance.
Growing up, Schauble experienced multiple learning disabilities and struggled in traditional school systems.
The community’s support made all the difference, said Scauble who earned a master’s degree at age 23.
Schauble graduated with a bachelor’s degree in society ethics and human behavior from the University of Washington Bothell in 2013, and then earned a master’s degree in policy studies at the Bothell campus in 2015.
Schauble worked as a teacher for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at a private, nonprofit school. She partnered with the Woodinville Rotary to launch the Rotaract Club at UW Bothell, a student club dedicated to civic service.
She worked as a job coach supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Now, she’s developing a program to support refugees seeking employment. Schauble wants to make sure that “we are creating access for people with barriers, including language barriers and documentation barriers,” she said.
“There is so much opportunity for partnerships in Snohomish County,” Schauble said. “We all have unique strengths,” she said. Instead of competing with other groups, “we can put that competition aside and do what’s best for the community and leverage our unique strengths.”
Janice Podsada: 425-339-3097; jpodsada@heraldnet.com;
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