Anna Van Pelt
Anna Van Pelt is an Assistant Director of the Center for Professional & Leadership Development. As Assistant Director, Ms. Van Pelt provides professional development coaching for students, and manages CPLD events and programs. After graduating from UW Law in 2005, Ms. Van Pelt clerked for the Honorable Judge Thomas J. Wynne of the Snohomish County Superior Court before joining the Snohomish County Public Defender Association. As a public defender, Ms. Van Pelt represented over 1,500 clients. One of her favorite aspects of being a public defender was the opportunity to use her Spanish language skills to help others through the criminal justice system. Ms. Van Pelt is also trained in alternative dispute resolution and large group facilitation, and expects to become a certified mediator by August 2011.
Ms. Van Pelt is also active in the nonprofit community. She serves on the board of directors for her church and Creative Educational Experiences, an educational nonprofit based on Tacoma, Washington. In addition, she has worked as a consultant for many local nonprofits around formation, board development, fundraising, grant writing, employment, and other legal issues. In her spare time, Ms. Van Pelt is a professional pianist and avid baker.