Abel Lee Pacheco’s Journey of Service and Community

Fifteen years ago, Abel Lee Pacheco MPA ‘12 packed his car, said goodbye to his family in Los Angeles, and drove north toward a city he had never been to before. Seattle was cold, unfamiliar, and far from home, but Abel carried with him something stronger than fear: a promise to his parents that he would make them proud and a determination to serve the public good. 

Those early days were filled with both excitement and uncertainty. Abel arrived from Venice Beach, trading year-round sunshine for the rain and long winters of the Pacific Northwest. As the son of a Black man from Compton and an immigrant mother from Mexico City, he came to a place where he had no family or established community.

What he did have was the faith and perseverance instilled in him by his parents. Qualities that carried him forward and ultimately led him to the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, where he began to find his community and purpose. 

At Evans, Abel found mentors who believed in him, classmates who inspired him, and a community grounded in shared values and a belief in the power of public service. He discovered that leadership is not about individual success but about collective progress. It is about showing up for one another and for the communities we serve. 

That belief has guided Abel throughout his career. From serving as a Seattle City Councilmember to his work as Director of Government and Community Relations at Sound Transit, and as an Intelligence Analyst in the Washington Army National Guard, Abel’s path reflects the courage, equity, and service at the heart of the Evans School mission. 

In February of last year Abel received devastating news that his father had been killed by a drunk driver on his way to work. In that moment of profound loss, he found strength in his father’s lessons. “You can’t keep a good man down,” his dad used to say. Even in grief, Abel continued his father’s legacy of compassion and perseverance. 

“Home isn’t about location,” Abel reflects. “Home is about people.” 

For Abel, the Evans School helped him find that home. It became the place where his purpose took shape, where his promise to his parents was fulfilled, and where he learned that public service is a lifelong calling. 

“I stand here today because of the people who believed in me—my family, my community, and this school,” Abel shared at a recent Evans event. “Now it’s our turn to believe in the next generation.” 

Abel’s story is a reminder that public service begins with a promise: to our families, our communities, and ourselves, to leave the world better than we found it. The Evans School continues to nurture that promise, preparing leaders who carry forward the same spirit of courage, equity, and service that shaped Abel’s journey. Staying engaged—through mentorship, connection, or support—ensures that more students like Abel can find their path, their purpose, and their home in service to others. 

 

The Evans School would like to extend our special thanks to Abel Lee Pacheco for sharing his story with our community and for his dedicated service to the public good. 

Evans Alum Nathan Woo (MPA ’24) on His Experience with Huskies@Work

When Nathan Woo (MPA ’24) graduated from the Evans School, he was eager to stay connected to the UW community and give back to students who were just beginning their public service journeys. That desire to support and stay engaged led him to participate in Huskies@Work, a University of Washington Alumni Association (UWAA) program that matches current UW students and alumni for conversations about career paths and professional experiences. 

“There’s a saying out there, ‘it’s not the grades you make; it’s the hands you shake,’” Nathan shared. “I don’t necessarily believe that 100 percent, but it has a point. I joined the Huskies@Work program to start building connections outside my program and hear about different folks’ experiences.” 

Through the program, Nathan has already connected with two undergraduate students. Their conversations have touched on everything from finding purpose in their academic paths to exploring possible career directions after graduation. “We’ve discussed their life paths, what led them to their degree choices, what they want to do in the future, and the ‘whys’ behind their actions,” Nathan said. “It’s been rewarding to share my own experiences, offer advice when asked, and see their excitement about the future.” 

For Nathan, mentorship is more than guidance; it is about mutual growth and community building. “I’m a believer in strong mentorship programs,” he said. “Mentorship done right can be valuable for both mentor and mentee. The MPA degree can lead to many different career paths, some of which can feel niche or hard to navigate. Programs like Huskies@Work help peel back that layer of mystery for new grads and current students who might feel uncertain about what comes next.” 

Nathan encourages other Evans alumni to get involved. “What’s the harm?” he said. “It takes five minutes to sign up, and at worst, it’s another connection you’ll have in your back pocket.” 

The Evans School is proud to partner with UWAA’s Huskies@Work program to expand mentorship opportunities for our community. Alumni have long expressed interest in connecting with current students, and this partnership provides an easy and flexible way to make those connections happen. Whether you are looking to share your story, support a student exploring their career path, or even seek guidance yourself. For the first time ever, alumni can sign up as mentees, for those who want support on their own journey. Huskies@Work offers a meaningful way to stay engaged and strengthen the Evans network. 

For those who have been looking for an opportunity to give back or reconnect, this is your time to get involved. Learn more and sign up for Huskies@Work today. Applications close November 2, 2025.