Balducci recognizes Mimi Siegel’s commitment to infants and children with special needs with MLK Medal of Distinguished Service

May 22, 2017

Summary

Executive Director of Bellevue-based Kindering acknowledged for decades of work with youth and the families

Story

The MLK Medal of Distinguished Service recognizes those who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to make a difference in communities across King County. For four decades Mimi Siegel has had one goal; ensuring that infants and children with special needs and their families have a place to turn when they needed crucial early intervention therapies. The long-time Executive Director of Kindering was recognized today for her work when Metropolitan King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci presented Siegel with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service.

“Mimi’s work has dramatically improved the lives of countless very young infants and children and their families. She has ensured that Kindering remained vibrant and strong – a place to go for families facing uncertainty, an agency providing caring, expert therapy to ensure their precious babies and young children can thrive,” said Balducci.

Ms. Siegel joined Kindering in 1978 as a part-time employee. Over the last 40 years, Siegel has helped develop the non-profit organization into one of the largest and most comprehensive centers in the United States, providing crucial early intervention therapies for infants and children birth to age three.

During her tenure at the helm of Kindering, Ms. Siegel has led the agency’s rapid growth in children served as well as the use of cutting edge therapies and finest education in ensuring children of diverse abilities receive the help needed to thrive in their lives. More than 40 percent of children served by the agency do not need special education services when they enter the school system.

Siegel’s commitment has been recognized throughout the region from being a 2016 Puget Sound Business Journal’s “Woman of Influence” to one of ParentMap Magazine’s 2013 “Superheroes.” Her tireless advocacy for children and their families made Siegel one of the Seattle Times’ “Unsung Heroes” in 2008. Ms. Siegel has led by example, demonstrating an exemplary commitment to community service in the Eastside over the years. A resident of Bellevue, She is the Board Chair of CFO’s Foundation, and has served on the boards of trustees of Intiman Theatre, Amara Parenting Services, and Social Venture Partners as well as United Way of King County’s recent strategic planning task force.

Siegel is one of nine citizens living across King County whose contributions to their community echo the incredible selfless leadership of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.