Barbara Potashnick

Barb grew up in Chicago. As an undergraduate she attended the University of Michigan and the University of London and later received her JD from the University of Chicago. She was a partner in an LA law firm and then became SVP and head of litigation for California Federal Bank. In 1995, Barb and her husband Al moved from LA to Mercer Island with their 4 young sons. She later joined Washington Mutual Bank and became its first SVP and head of litigation, starting the litigation department and ultimately building it to over 50 employees in 3 states. Before she became an empty nester, Barb’s volunteer activities centered around her children’s schools, including running the art docent program at Lakeridge. Since then, Barb has been involved in volunteering in various non-profit organizations, including IslandWood, the YWCA, and for the past 15 years plus has been a member of the Washington Women’s Foundation where she has been actively involved in the grant process. Closer to home Barb was on the Board of Mercer Island Youth and Family Services where she served as VP and Fundraising Chair. Currently she is VP of the Mercer Island Community Fund. Barb has had the good fortune to travel extensively with her husband, including frequent trips to visit her sons and their families. She is also continuing her endless struggle to learn Italian.