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Together, Lynn and Howard Behar have united compassion, scholarship, and people-first leadership to strengthen oncology and palliative care social work at the University of Washington.
The Behars’ partnership with the UW began in 2005 with the Carol LaMare Scholars Program, named in memory of Lynn’s mother. Their support expanded from scholarships and intensive mentorship for MSW students to include doctoral education, an endowed professorship, and an endowed research acceleration fund. In 2018, their transformative gift helped establish the Center and deepen its commitment to social justice—advancing equitable, evidence-informed care for people affected by cancer, serious illness, and end-of-life concerns.
Dr. Lynn Behar: Scholarship, mentorship, and compassion
A two-time graduate of the UW School of Social Work (MSW ’86, PhD ’99), Lynn Behar has devoted her career to advancing oncology social work and patient- and family-centered care. She co-edited The Handbook of Oncology Social Work, the field’s first comprehensive reference integrating psychosocial care with medical treatment. Her commitment is also deeply personal: Lynn has mentored generations of Carol LaMare Scholars and helped build a national model for preparing social workers to serve people with cancer, serious illness, and their families.
Howard Behar: People-first leadership
Howard Behar is the former president of Starbucks North America and the founding president of Starbucks International. During his 21 years with the company, Starbucks grew from 28 stores to more than 15,000 across five continents. An author, speaker, and mentor, Howard is widely known for championing servant leadership and the conviction that enduring organizations put people and values first.
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