Angela Murray has been Executive Director of The Sophia Way for three years. The Sophia Way provides programs dedicated to helping end homelessness for adult women by offering a path from homelessness to stable independent living. TSW’s core programs facilitate this transition by providing a safe place for women during the day, a drop in emergency winter shelter, a six-month shelter program for twenty-one women with housing case management, and transitional and permanent housing opportunities for women who experience homelessness.

Murray has 10 years of leadership experience, strategy development, and nonprofit operations and mission delivery. Prior to joining The Sophia Way, Murray served as the Executive Director of The Volunteer Center of Whatcom County where she was recognized with the 2014 Community Achievement Award for her efforts in the Stewards of Children initiative. Murray started her career as a high school and middle school history teacher while working summers as a backcountry wilderness ranger for the U.S. Forest Service. She attributes her acute leadership skills and vision to her experience of being able to keep the attention span of middle schools students and staying calm through several grizzly bear encounters.

Murray approaches homelessness as part of the region’s affordable housing crisis and a social justice issue. She is committed to working with a community of dedicated stakeholders and human service providers in advocating for local policies and ordinances that reduce barriers to housing and promote social, economic, and racial equity. “As The Sophia Way ED, I am able to share my passion – share our mission – while pursuing innovative practices to reducing homelessness and helping more women become self-sufficient.”

“I am honored to be working with an amazing and dedicated staff and volunteers. The Sophia Way is truly poised to help lead the Eastside in addressing homelessness and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”