Volunteer Team of the Year: Erica Coogan and Kathryn Garrison

Partner Erican Coogan and financial adviser Kathryn Garrison of Moss Adams Wealth Advisors LLC in Seattle received the Volunteer Team Award for their support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, specifically for the InfluenceHer program, which is focused on keeping girls in middle school and high school on a healthy track.

Ms. Coogan and Ms. Garrison, both of whom have daughters, three years ago spearheaded Moss Adams’ support of InfluenceHer, which is aimed at bringing specialized programming to girls 8 to 18 who are bombarded by social pressures.

“Middle school tends to be the time when parents tend to get a little less involved and kids want more independence, but they still need guidance,” Ms. Garrison said. “If we can provide the guidance in the clubs — and they are with other girls — that’s an ideal time to reach them and steer them in the right direction.”

About 6,000 girls in the Seattle area have participated in programs that focus on self-esteem, leadership development, fitness and health education. Moss Adams is the primary sponsor of the program and has raised more than $186,000 in three years.

FUNDING NEW INITIATIVES

“Dozens of women in our organization, and hundreds in our community, have come together to make InfluenceHer the impactful program it is,” Ms. Garrison said.

The $20,000 award from the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation will help fund upcoming programming, including a screening of an independent film, “Finding Kind,” that details the viciousness of girl-on-girl bullying.

Other events include a career day and a speed mentoring event that will bring girls together with a series of successful women to discuss different professions, interviewing tips and other important subjects.

“I was very fortunate to grow up thinking I could do anything I wanted to do,” Ms. Garrison said. “I want other girls to have that.”