Pat Thomas volunteers as a reading tutor in the Humboldt County Literacy Program, as the Secretary of the McKinleyville Lions Club promoting vision health in area schools, and with the Humboldt State University Equity Alliance to bring the diverse student body together with community members. She has had a 40-year career in SEIU focused on education, training, and leadership development. She served as the SEIU’s education director for 10 years, where she developed and directed the union-wide education program for leaders, staff, and stewards.

Following that, Thomas served in a variety of roles for the union, where she developed and led national organizing programs, ran organizing conventions, and helped set up new union locals in Colorado, Florida, and Texas. In 2011, she came to SEIU-UHW, where she developed a leadership program for the union’s 350-member executive board, staffed the vice president on budget and finance committees, and served on the election committee for officer and board elections. Throughout her career, Thomas has strived to develop and encourage leaders at every level of the union by providing them the tools and training they need to succeed in the roles. Thomas has a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.