ARCS Light Award

Each year, ARCS chapters select one member to be recognized for providing the highest quality of long-time service to her chapter. The distinctive ARCS Light Award recognizes recipients for continuous service that has made a positive impact on ARCS Foundation and its mission of advancing science in America. These unsung heroes of ARCS Foundation are honored at the ARCS Foundation All Members Conference.

A member of the Seattle Chapter since 1998, Molly has served on various committees, including long range planning, membership, the fundraising luncheon, and has helped procure speakers for various events.  She has supported six fellowships since 1998, the first in honor of her mother, Mary Acret Pengra, and others being named for Pengra Capital Management. Molly has consistently supported our development and major giving campaign with donor stewardship resulting in over $1.2 million in endowments and fellowships.  She has actively recruited new members.  Former Seattle Chapter President Sarah Watts shared, “she urged me to join ARCS in 2013, and I sought her counsel before taking on the role of president in 2019.”

Molly graduated UW with a degree in Economics.  She is currently the Managing General Partner of Cohassett Capital Partners, L.P., and is a past trustee of The Henry Gallery of Art and Seattle Children’s Theatre, and has served on the advisory councils of Treehouse, The William D Ruckelshaus Center, and Plymouth Housing.  She has served on numerous capital campaigns and fund-raising efforts for many non-profits, including The Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM) at the UW.