Nicole O'Connor is a Yakima native and graduate of Eisenhower High  School. At IKE she played varsity basketball, edited the Reveille  yearbook, and participated in Future Business Leaders of America.  Following graduation she earned a Bachelor of Arts from Whitworth  University in Spokane before finishing her formal education with a  Master of Not-for-Profit Leadership at Seattle University.

When  she moved back to Yakima in 2006 Nicole became involved in Junior  League, Mothers of Preschools (MOPS) and the Yakima Dental Auxiliary and  has served on each of their boards. These organizations helped her  reconnect with the community and forge new friendships. After eight  years as a grant management consultant, Nicole came on staff this fall  at the Yakima Union Gospel Mission in the role of Director of  Organizational Philanthropy. 

Nicole joined the YSF Board in 2016  and currently serves as Vice President. "I feel lucky to have educators  and coaches who invested in me. I want every child to feel that someone  believes in them. I see YSF serving a role in encouraging the students,  faculty, and staff of YSD when other resources may not be available."   She lives in Yakima with her husband, Nate, three daughters, and a cute  but neurotic rescue pup.