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William H. Clapp is a social entrepreneur, philanthropist, and business executive.

Bill is a founder and former chairman of the Matthew G. Norton Company, a property management firm based in Seattle, Wash. He is also the founder, along with his wife Paula, of Global Partnerships, Global Washington, and Seattle International Foundation.

Early Life and Career
Bill is the great-grand son of Weyerhaeuser Co. co-founder Matthew Norton. Bill began his career in Alaska in the 1960s, working as a bush pilot and businessman. He returned to Seattle in 1975, where he helped found the Matthew G. Norton Company, a real estate and property management firm. He served as CEO and Chairman until 2002.

Global Partnerships
Bill and his wife, Paula, became interested in philanthropy and international development in the 1990s, after visiting a microlending program in El Salvador. In 1994, the Clapps founded Global Partnerships, a microlender with partner organizations in Central and South America, the Caribbean and Africa. Since its founding, the organization has provided loans and grants totaling $300 million to more than 10 million people. Bill served as Executive Director of the organization until 2006.

Initiative for Global Development
In 2002, Bill joined a group of policymakers, government officials, and philanthropists, including William H. Gates Sr., former U.S. Senator Daniel J. Evans, former EPA Administrator William D. Ruckelshaus, and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Shalikashvili, in founding the Initiative for Global Development. The Washington, D.C.-based organization invests in small businesses in Africa.

Global Washington
Bill founded Global Washington in 2008, and served as the organization's first chairman. Global Washington is a membership organization that supports the global development community based in Washington state. Its 160 members include businesses, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and foundations.

Seattle International Foundation
In 2008, Bill and Paula founded the Seattle International Foundation (SIF), a grant-making organization with a strategic focus on Central America. Since its founding, SIF has issued grants totaling $20 million to 243 organizations. In addition to its grant-making activities, SIF partners with such organizations as the Seattle Foundation and Global Washington to enhance international philanthropy efforts originating in the Pacific Northwest. SIF also hosts the annual Central American Donors Forum, which convenes foundations, agencies, country representatives and businesses to encourage collaboration and discuss investment strategies in the region.

Board and Affiliations
Bill served on the boards of Alaska Air Group for 20 years, and Weyerhaeuser for 16 years. He has also served on numerous private company boards and community committees. He is currently a member of the Advisory Board of INCAE Business School in Costa Rica.