The Most Influential People

The Most Influential People

Meet 25 extraordinary individuals and one transformative company building community and advocating for equity

Seattle magazine’s annual list of Most Influential people includes those who inspire, guide and uplift others through their actions, leadership and dedication. Their far-reaching influence stems from their achievements, but equally important, their ability to foster connections across the community, advocate for positive change, and empower others to make a difference. We’re rolling out brief…

Pickleball Franchise The Picklr Takes Theo Chocolate Space

Pickleball Franchise The Picklr Takes Theo Chocolate Space

Fast-growing chain plans to open in the Fremont neighborhood this fall

A location housing a non-descript warehouse operated by Theo Chocolate in Fremont won’t stay vacant for long. It will soon become home to a pickleball complex. The Picklr, a Utah-based nationwide franchise of pickleball chains, will open in the 27,000-square-foot space this fall. It is adjacent to the historic retail outlet and production facility Theo…

The DEI Backlash: Staying the Course

The DEI Backlash: Staying the Course

DEI and merit are not contradictory

The backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives has gained momentum in recent months, fueled by political and cultural divisiveness. Some critics have linked DEI policies to high-profile incidents, such as the mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a military helicopter near Washington, D.C., Jan. 29. However, there is no credible…

Welcome to the Finer Side of Anaheim

SponsoredWelcome to the Finer Side of Anaheim

Where luxury knows no bounds

Centrally located and internationally celebrated, Anaheim is the vibrant city infused with Walt Disney’s original spirit of possibilities. An elevated escape with captivating experiences in the heart of Orange County. In the destination where imagination reigns supreme, Anaheim welcomes you to the pursuit of wonder-filled memories — the greatest luxury of all. Crown Collection by…

UPrep Prioritizes Student Wellness

SponsoredUPrep Prioritizes Student Wellness

Comprehensive mental health support programs focus on well-being

At UPrep, a 6–12 private school in Seattle’s Wedgwood neighborhood, student wellness is central to its academic program. Each of its 705 students benefit from a robust student support program. Students have easy access to mental health support. Each grade is paired with a counselor who supports them throughout their UPrep years, fostering lasting relationships….

Rewriting the Story

Rewriting the Story

What if we collect security instead of insecurity?

What would life look like if we went through life collecting securities rather than insecurities? What would it feel like if we built our self-worth from the inside out rather than the outside in? The concept of self-worth is based on our view of the self, yet most of us go through life half asleep…

New Filing Fix Can Help Tame Your Taxes

New Filing Fix Can Help Tame Your Taxes

Free site aims to untangle tax questions

For many, filing taxes is akin to deciphering an ancient cryptic scroll. A new website is here to help. MyFreeTaxesWA.org connects Washington residents with IRS-certified volunteer tax professionals who can offer in-person or virtual tax help. As the name implies, it’s a free service and is available in multiple languages. The effort is funded through…

The Pulse: Love in a Cold Climate

The Pulse: Love in a Cold Climate

The most romantic walks in Seattle and another breakfast heist

Happy Valentine’s Day. I’ve always liked the idea of celebrating love. And being in the city feels romantic this time of year — cold air, twinkling lights, maybe a late-night walk under the glowy moon. Whatever it is you’re doing, I hope you’re staying warm. Here’s what’s going on around town… Need Valentine’s plans? Find…

Downtown Seattle Foot Traffic is Up, Thanks to Amazon

Downtown Seattle Foot Traffic is Up, Thanks to Amazon

Still lags pre-pandemic numbers

Amazon’s return-to-office mandate resulted in a measurable increase among downtown Seattle office workers in January, but the numbers still aren’t anywhere near where they were six years ago. The Downtown Seattle Association’s Revitalization Dashboard shows foot traffic in neighborhoods where Amazon’s offices are located (South Lake Union and Denny Regrade) at 74% of that of…

Seattle’s Winter Drinking Plan

Seattle’s Winter Drinking Plan

Beer, mead, and a beach party

February is somehow both the shortest and longest month of the year, and March isn’t much better. Sure, the sun is again setting at a reasonable time, but it still refuses to provide warmth, and going out requires a little extra motivation. Good news: Seattle’s winter beer parties are here to help. Whether you want…

Must List: Six Fun Things to Do This Week

Must List: Six Fun Things to Do This Week

Music, romance, and one seriously steamy film

Hey, tomorrow is Valentine’s Day! My husband and I keep it simple, but it’s still one of my favorite holidays. This year, we’re meeting some friends at Rocco’s — should be fun. If you’re looking for a romantic restaurant with a pretty view, we rounded up the best places in the city. You can also…

Lumen Field Lauded for Vegan, Veggie Options

Lumen Field Lauded for Vegan, Veggie Options

Food appeals to environmentally conscious fans

As the Seahawks prepare for next season, so do their vendors. It’s safe to say that the latter is much more ready than the club’s offensive line. A report from Placer.ai — a data firm that measures foot traffic via cell phone data, among other things — calls Lumen Field (the home stadium for the…

Celebrate Black History Year-Round, Not Just In February

Celebrate Black History Year-Round, Not Just In February

And don’t forget restaurants during Black History Month

There was a time when events like “The Soul of Seattle” were the only ones of their kind in the city, where the Black population is less than 7% of all residents. Enter restaurateur and provocateur Donna Moodie.   It was Moodie, who opened the third version of Marjorie in Midtown Square in Seattle’s Central District last…

Most Influential: Valerie Segrest

Most Influential: Valerie Segrest

Native nutrition educator

Valerie Segrest’s elders and her community are the reason she dedicated her life to food systems. Segrest grew up a part of the Muckleshoot Tribe, located just south of Auburn, in a community where the closest grocery store was nearly 10 miles away in an area considered “food insecure.” Her elders often told her, “If…

Get Cozy in Oregon’s Tualatin Valley

SponsoredGet Cozy in Oregon’s Tualatin Valley

Enjoy the bounty of a unique and beautiful destination this fall

During the fall months, Oregon’s Tualatin Valley becomes a sanctuary of comfort and tranquility. Nestled among rolling hills and lush vineyards, the valley takes on a special charm during “Cozy Season.” Cozy Season in Tualatin Valley is about embracing the art of slow living. It’s a time to disconnect from the fast pace of modern…

Uncommon Thinkers: Sunny Singh

SponsoredUncommon Thinkers: Sunny Singh

Founder, Roundglass and Edifecs

For Sunny Singh, wellness is more than his job. As the founder of Roundglass, an app that helps users work activities such as meditation, breathwork and yoga into their daily routines, health and wellness are woven into the fabric of Singh’s life. With decades of tech experience, Singh created the company in 2014 with the…

Citydog! Club: More wiggle in the wag!

SponsoredCitydog! Club: More wiggle in the wag!

All images courtesy of Citydog! Club Citydog! offers dog daycare, dog boarding, dog grooming and fun! The Club is perfect for dogs of all shapes and sizes that want to play and hang with the gang.     Citydog! Club daycare will give dogs what they need and love – socialization, play, naps, and exercise,…

Uncommon Thinkers Welcome

SponsoredUncommon Thinkers Welcome

Seattle's Korean American innovators are shaping communities and forging global connections

In partnership with Greater Seattle Partners, Seattle magazine is honored to recognize our region’s boldest “Uncommon Thinkers” — the inventors, artists, leaders, and entrepreneurs who are transforming communities and driving positive change throughout the world. #UncommonThinkersWelcome

Chef Jan Parker is All Over the Map

Chef Jan Parker is All Over the Map

As Reyna Filipina Kitchen prepares to open, the chef’s got her hands full with popups and dinner parties

Seems like wherever I turn lately, I see Chef Jan Parker’s face. Since 2018, the Tacoma-based popup and catering chef has been serving her fresh, dynamic Filipino cuisine at farmer’s markets, in wineries and breweries, at ticketed dinner parties, in holiday street festivals, even at flea markets and vintage clothing fairs. She’s also hard to…

Most Influential: Dave Bateman

Most Influential: Dave Bateman

Founder, Cyber Civil Rights Legal Project at K&L Gates

David Bateman, a lawyer at K&L Gates who spent his time “finding people who were doing bad things on the internet,” didn’t fully know the concept of revenge porn until he met Holly Jacobs. Jacobs sought help from K&L Gates after explicit photos of her were nonconsensually shared on the internet. Jacobs’ case, Bateman says,…

Most Influential: Girmay Zahilay

Most Influential: Girmay Zahilay

King County Councilmember

When Girmay Zahilay arrived in Seattle as a 2-year-old refugee, his family lived in public housing and homeless shelters. He was born in a Sudanese refugee camp to Ethiopian parents fleeing civil war. Now, 35 years later, Zahilay is leading the charge to fund affordable housing in King County for working class families to the…

Uncommon Thinkers: Ambika Singh

SponsoredUncommon Thinkers: Ambika Singh

CEO, Armoire

Ambika Singh says she isn’t a natural-born risk-taker, but you wouldn’t know it from looking at her career trajectory. Since launching Seattle-based clothing and rental subscription service Armoire in 2016, Singh has grown the company by more than 300%, employs 85 people, and delivers to customers across the U.S. Meanwhile, it’s caught the attention of…

A Tropical Reef in the Pacific Northwest

SponsoredA Tropical Reef in the Pacific Northwest

The Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion is now open

Dreading the return of “the Big Dark”? Great news: The Seattle Aquarium has you covered with the opening of its Ocean Pavilion expansion. It’s dedicated to the tropical reef ecosystems of the Coral Triangle, an area in the western Pacific so rich in marine biodiversity that it’s been called “the Amazon of the ocean.” This…

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Lumen Field Lauded for Vegan, Veggie Options

Lumen Field Lauded for Vegan, Veggie Options

Food appeals to environmentally conscious fans

As the Seahawks prepare for next season, so do their vendors. It’s safe to say that the latter is much more ready than the club’s offensive line. A report from Placer.ai — a data firm that measures foot traffic via cell phone data, among other things — calls Lumen Field (the home stadium for the…

Panorama Plates for Valentine’s Day

Panorama Plates for Valentine’s Day

These Seattle restaurants all offer great food and spectacular views

Some local restaurant groups have built their reputations on waterfront locations with a view. Most offer special Valentine’s Day menus. Duke’s Seafood, Daniel’s Broiler, Anthony’s, Salty’s, Ivar’s and other restaurant groups have multiple locations with water views. Fire & Vine has two waterfront concepts, Aerlume — just north of Pike Place Market — and AQUA by El Gaucho on Pier 70.  …

Chef Jan Parker is All Over the Map

Chef Jan Parker is All Over the Map

As Reyna Filipina Kitchen prepares to open, the chef’s got her hands full with popups and dinner parties

Seems like wherever I turn lately, I see Chef Jan Parker’s face. Since 2018, the Tacoma-based popup and catering chef has been serving her fresh, dynamic Filipino cuisine at farmer’s markets, in wineries and breweries, at ticketed dinner parties, in holiday street festivals, even at flea markets and vintage clothing fairs. She’s also hard to…

Seattle Bars, Restaurants Unite to Support Immigrant Rights

Seattle Bars, Restaurants Unite to Support Immigrant Rights

Fundraiser seeks to counter nationwide immigrant crackdown

More than 100 Seattle restaurants, bars and pop-ups are joining forces in support of immigrant rights. Between Feb. 7-9, they’ll donate a portion of their proceeds (up to 10%, depending on the establishment) to raise funds to counter the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigrants. According to the American Immigration Council, immigrants make up 22% of…

New Filing Fix Can Help Tame Your Taxes

New Filing Fix Can Help Tame Your Taxes

Free site aims to untangle tax questions

For many, filing taxes is akin to deciphering an ancient cryptic scroll. A new website is here to help. MyFreeTaxesWA.org connects Washington residents with IRS-certified volunteer tax professionals who can offer in-person or virtual tax help. As the name implies, it’s a free service and is available in multiple languages. The effort is funded through…

The Pulse: Love in a Cold Climate

The Pulse: Love in a Cold Climate

The most romantic walks in Seattle and another breakfast heist

Happy Valentine’s Day. I’ve always liked the idea of celebrating love. And being in the city feels romantic this time of year — cold air, twinkling lights, maybe a late-night walk under the glowy moon. Whatever it is you’re doing, I hope you’re staying warm. Here’s what’s going on around town… Need Valentine’s plans? Find…

Downtown Seattle Foot Traffic is Up, Thanks to Amazon

Downtown Seattle Foot Traffic is Up, Thanks to Amazon

Still lags pre-pandemic numbers

Amazon’s return-to-office mandate resulted in a measurable increase among downtown Seattle office workers in January, but the numbers still aren’t anywhere near where they were six years ago. The Downtown Seattle Association’s Revitalization Dashboard shows foot traffic in neighborhoods where Amazon’s offices are located (South Lake Union and Denny Regrade) at 74% of that of…

Seattle’s Winter Drinking Plan

Seattle’s Winter Drinking Plan

Beer, mead, and a beach party

February is somehow both the shortest and longest month of the year, and March isn’t much better. Sure, the sun is again setting at a reasonable time, but it still refuses to provide warmth, and going out requires a little extra motivation. Good news: Seattle’s winter beer parties are here to help. Whether you want…

Popular Stories

What Did the Eras Tour Mean for Seattle?

What Did the Eras Tour Mean for Seattle?

Taylor Swift’s sold-out shows brought millions to the city

The Eras Tour is over.  Taylor Swift’s 21-month world tour came to a close last Sunday after six nights in Vancouver, B.C. Along the way, it added a staggering $4.3 billion to the U.S. GDP — a number on par with the Super Bowl and the Olympics. But Seattle had its own economic moment when…

Pieces of a Ferry: The Story of the Kalakala

Pieces of a Ferry: The Story of the Kalakala

Remembering 'the workhorse of Puget Sound'

People often ask how I manage to find so many historical treasures, and quite honestly, it’s often just a matter of dumb luck. Case in point: Several months back I decided to stop at a random garage sale while out running errands. Nothing initially grabbed my eye, but on the way out I noticed an…

Is Downtown Seattle Again Becoming The Place To Be?

Is Downtown Seattle Again Becoming The Place To Be?

The numbers just keep getting better

More workers and visitors are increasingly going to downtown Seattle. While the growth is incremental, the numbers are cause for optimism. The Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) reports that nearly 2.3 million unique visitors came downtown in November. That’s 90% of the visitors prior to the same month five years ago (shortly before the pandemic). It’s…

The Joys and Challenges of Living out of a Converted Bus

The Joys and Challenges of Living out of a Converted Bus

Don’t talk to Heather Shutter about small spaces. Sure, she lives in a converted, 400-square-foot school bus — a skoolie — with her husband, Ben, three children (ages 14, 12, and 10), several dogs, and a Gecko lizard. She’s a full-time attorney who works in a tiny, cramped compartment in the back. Her kids are…

Walla Walla: More Than Wine

Walla Walla: More Than Wine

Visitors come to sip and shop, but they return for the city’s sense of community

There seem to be two camps regarding Walla Walla: Those who love it, and those who haven’t been there. To be sure, the city boasts an enterprising spirit in this creative college town of artists, makers, brewers, and bakers. For a small town of 34,000 people living on farmland, there’s quite a lot going on. …

Costa Rican Coastline Bliss

Costa Rican Coastline Bliss

Santa Teresa is a surfer yoga paradise on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula

Tucked away on the remote western edge of the Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa has evolved from a laid-back surf town into a full-on boho chic destination for Left Coasters, Ticos, and Euros craving the perfect blend of surf, yoga, and superfood smoothies, all set to the chill house vibe of Café del Mar. With its…

Valentine’s Day: How Suite It Is

Valentine’s Day: How Suite It Is

Check out these eight romantic getaways 

Valentine’s Day: Dinner, flowers, romance. Done? This year consider a new tradition: the perfect annual excuse to pamper, luxuriate, and staycate. Here are eight local options for cozying up with Valentines, Galentines, and Palentines of every persuasion.   W Bellevue Bellevue makes for a delightfully nearby staycation — just pop across the bridge and press…

On the Trail of Kamehameha

On the Trail of Kamehameha

The spirit of the great leader is alive and well on the Big Island of Hawaii

Just because we mellow our brains and vibe on sunny beach vacations doesn’t mean we can’t be curious enough to learn about our hosts. Walk ankle-deep into surf and sand, but wade knee-deep into local culture. Just north of Kona, the Kohala Coast of Hawaii Island is a journey through the history of our 50th…

Ten Top Travel Destinations for 2025

Ten Top Travel Destinations for 2025

How to prepare for these extraordinary destinations right here in Seattle

How to prepare for these extraordinary destinations right here in Seattle The theme of travel in 2025 is empathy, to remind ourselves that the world is a big place, and that other people face obstacles as well. To quote Robert Louis Stevenson, it’s time “to come down off this featherbed of civilization, and find the…

Rewriting the Story

Rewriting the Story

What if we collect security instead of insecurity?

What would life look like if we went through life collecting securities rather than insecurities? What would it feel like if we built our self-worth from the inside out rather than the outside in? The concept of self-worth is based on our view of the self, yet most of us go through life half asleep…

Crossing Generational Streams

Crossing Generational Streams

Teens create art, receive insightful life advice

Kids look toward the future. Older people often relive the past. Those two worlds collided in the best of ways recently when the Woodinville Teen Arts Alliance collaborated with residents from Fairwinds Brittany Park Retirement Home to create beautiful art inspired by residents’ lives. “Our conversations made me appreciate the value of human connection and…

The DEI Backlash: Staying the Course

The DEI Backlash: Staying the Course

DEI and merit are not contradictory

The backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives has gained momentum in recent months, fueled by political and cultural divisiveness. Some critics have linked DEI policies to high-profile incidents, such as the mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a military helicopter near Washington, D.C., Jan. 29. However, there is no credible…

Moxie on Monday: See Life From the Summit

Moxie on Monday: See Life From the Summit

Shift your mindset from the grind to the grand view

Ever feel like life is one endless uphill climb? Like you’re trudging forward, step by exhausting step, eyes locked on the rocky terrain ahead, wondering if you’ll ever reach the summit? That’s Perception Mode — where life’s challenges look massive because they’re right in front of your face.  What if I told you that the…

Spencer Frazer: Second Act Artist Changing the World

Spencer Frazer: Second Act Artist Changing the World

Spencer Frazer is exemplary of multiple talents and multiple acts. Hear his journey of working on top secret government projects, to being a maker of combat knives, to finally emerging as one of the top painters in our region. Learn how he uses his art to change the world.

Peter Tomozawa: World Cup Baller Elevates Seattle, ep. 2

Peter Tomozawa: World Cup Baller Elevates Seattle, ep. 2

Peter Tomozawa, CEO of the Seattle World Cup organizing committee, chats about how Seattle snagged the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He discusses the hustle of local leaders, the importance of community support, and how the event will benefit the entire region.

Peter Tomozawa: World Cup Baller Elevates Seattle, ep. 1

Peter Tomozawa: World Cup Baller Elevates Seattle, ep. 1

Peter Tomozawa is the CEO of the Seattle World Cup Organizing Committee, responsible for readying our city for the biggest show in the world. He was also the prior president of the Seattle Sounders, and has had one of the most fascinating business careers spanning the globe. Join us as he tells us why Seattle should take center stage.

Ana Mari Cauce: Leader of Learning

Ana Mari Cauce: Leader of Learning

University of Washington, Ana Mari Cauce, Encampment, College affordability, Higher education costs, University research, Economic impact, University president

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Citydog! Club: More wiggle in the wag!

SponsoredCitydog! Club: More wiggle in the wag!

All images courtesy of Citydog! Club Citydog! offers dog daycare, dog boarding, dog grooming and fun! The Club is perfect for dogs of all shapes and sizes that want to play and hang with the gang.     Citydog! Club daycare will give dogs what they need and love – socialization, play, naps, and exercise,…

A Tropical Reef in the Pacific Northwest

SponsoredA Tropical Reef in the Pacific Northwest

The Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion is now open

Dreading the return of “the Big Dark”? Great news: The Seattle Aquarium has you covered with the opening of its Ocean Pavilion expansion. It’s dedicated to the tropical reef ecosystems of the Coral Triangle, an area in the western Pacific so rich in marine biodiversity that it’s been called “the Amazon of the ocean.” This…

Get Cozy in Oregon’s Tualatin Valley

SponsoredGet Cozy in Oregon’s Tualatin Valley

Enjoy the bounty of a unique and beautiful destination this fall

During the fall months, Oregon’s Tualatin Valley becomes a sanctuary of comfort and tranquility. Nestled among rolling hills and lush vineyards, the valley takes on a special charm during “Cozy Season.” Cozy Season in Tualatin Valley is about embracing the art of slow living. It’s a time to disconnect from the fast pace of modern…

Uncommon Thinkers Welcome

SponsoredUncommon Thinkers Welcome

Editor’s Note: This series is a partnership between Seattle magazine and Greater Seattle Partners, designed to recognize some of the region’s boldest Uncommon Thinkers — the inventors, artists, leaders, and entrepreneurs who are transforming communities and driving positive change throughout the world. Greater Seattle has deep cultural and economic ties with the Indian diaspora, with…