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…

Most Influential: Uttam Mukherjee & Dr. Aakanksha Sinha

Most Influential: Uttam Mukherjee & Dr. Aakanksha Sinha

Co-founders of Spice Waala

When Spice Waala opened in 2019, husband and wife team Uttam Mukherjee and Dr. Aakanksha Sinha had two goals: bring authentic Indian street food to Seattle and give back to the community. Now, with three locations, Spice Waala is known for its flavorful chaats, kathi rolls — and its impact. Recently named King County Small…

Preston Singletary: The Harmonic Alchemist

Preston Singletary: The Harmonic Alchemist

Multi-talented Seattle artist fuses sound, cinema and glass artistry

In Tlingit lore the raven is a supernatural being who steals the moon, sun, and stars from a powerful man. Seattle artist Preston Singletary can be forgiven if he is confused for the modern-day manifestation of the raven, also described as a shapeshifter in mythology.   Singletary has been enlightening audiences the world over for decades with his…

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….

The Pulse: Thawing Out

The Pulse: Thawing Out

Seattle’s food scene steps up and an ugly art tradition lives on

We made it through all the snow and ice this week, and now it’s time to gear up for Valentine’s Day. We’re keeping things simple this year — just stencils, stickers, glitter, and some white cards to decorate. What are your plans? It’s been a week full of news and updates, so here’s what’s happening…

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…

Must List: Six Things to Do This Week

Must List: Six Things to Do This Week

Black voices and trailblazers in comedy, dance, and film

Hey, how’s it going? My kids have been out of school for three days and they, along with the neighborhood kid crew, somehow managed to build a snowman out of less than an inch of snow — truly impressive. With temps set to drop even more tonight, be sure to stay warm out there. Over…

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…

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…

A Unifying Good Time with Tom Papa

A Unifying Good Time with Tom Papa

The hilarious and relatable comic brings his Grateful Bread tour to Seattle on Feb. 8.

Comedian Tom Papa wants you to feel a little less alone. He knows life is full of chaos and disappointments — crappy meals, fear of the dark, and endless bad news — but instead of letting it crush you, he invites you to laugh about it. His Grateful Bread tour, much like his baking, takes…

A Changing of the Guard at Canlis

A Changing of the Guard at Canlis

Chef Aisha Ibrahim and co-owner Brian Canlis say goodbye to Seattle’s iconic restaurant

Big changes are underway at Canlis. Executive chef Aisha Ibrahim and co-owner Brian Canlis have both announced they are stepping down. Ibrahim joined the Canlis team in 2021, making history as the restaurant’s first female executive chef, as well as its first Asian and queer chef since it opened in 1950. Her three and a…

Most Influential: Ethan Stowell

Most Influential: Ethan Stowell

Restaurateur, Activist

Chef Ethan Stowell knows good food can change lives. You probably recognize him as the force behind more than 20 Seattle-area restaurants and cafes. Now, he’s taking on a new challenge: transforming what kids eat in public schools as a member of Eat Real’s chefs council. America’s school cafeterias serve 7 billion meals a year…

Goodbye Seattle Freeze. Hello Seattle Bear Hug

Goodbye Seattle Freeze. Hello Seattle Bear Hug

US Chamber of Connection seeks to unite newcomers to the city

Aaron Hurst is outgoing. He’s friendly. After just a brief conversation with him, it’s difficult to imagine he would have a hard time making friends. That, however, is exactly what happened when he moved to Seattle from Brooklyn about 10 years ago. His wife, Kara, had just landed her “dream job” as Amazon’s chief sustainability…

Celebrating Black Art and Culture

Celebrating Black Art and Culture

Ways to honor Black History Month across the city 

Black art, culture, and history deserve the spotlight year-round, but February is when Seattle really steps it up during Black History Month. We’ve got everything from film festivals and discussions to art shows and candle pouring. Support Black-owned businesses while you’re at it, and use your Buy Black Card.  Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) NAAM’s…

Most Influential: Uttam Mukherjee & Dr. Aakanksha Sinha

Most Influential: Uttam Mukherjee & Dr. Aakanksha Sinha

Co-founders of Spice Waala

When Spice Waala opened in 2019, husband and wife team Uttam Mukherjee and Dr. Aakanksha Sinha had two goals: bring authentic Indian street food to Seattle and give back to the community. Now, with three locations, Spice Waala is known for its flavorful chaats, kathi rolls — and its impact. Recently named King County Small…

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

UW Names Robert J. Jones New President

UW Names Robert J. Jones New President

Jones replaces Ana Mari Cauce, who is retiring

The University of Washington has named Robert J. Jones its 34th president. Jones, who has spent the past nine years as chancellor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, replaces Ana Mari Cauce, who will have held the role for 10 years at the end of the academic year in June. Jones, who also previously served…

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…

Most Influential: Hamdi Mohamed

Most Influential: Hamdi Mohamed

Seattle Port Commissioner

Hamdi Mohamed arrived 30 years ago with her family, refugees fleeing war-torn Somalia. In 2024, the 34-year-old port commissioner became the first Black woman to chair the Seattle Port Commission, the public authority that manages Sea-Tac Airport and the Port of Seattle. Mohamed was not quite a year old when she fled Somalia with her…

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…

Uncommon Thinkers: Pallavi Mehta Wahi

SponsoredUncommon Thinkers: Pallavi Mehta Wahi

Co-Managing Partner, U.S., at K&L Gates; Managing Partner, Seattle office, K&L Gates

When Pallavi Mehta Wahi started out as a young attorney in Seattle, she thought she’d need to downplay her interests to fit in with her colleagues. Born and raised in New Delhi, her greatest joy came from Bollywood films and Star Trek. She’s since learned that authenticity is a strength, not a weakness. “I won’t…

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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…

A Changing of the Guard at Canlis

A Changing of the Guard at Canlis

Chef Aisha Ibrahim and co-owner Brian Canlis say goodbye to Seattle’s iconic restaurant

Big changes are underway at Canlis. Executive chef Aisha Ibrahim and co-owner Brian Canlis have both announced they are stepping down. Ibrahim joined the Canlis team in 2021, making history as the restaurant’s first female executive chef, as well as its first Asian and queer chef since it opened in 1950. Her three and a…

At Starbucks, Ceramic Mugs and Handwritten Notes

At Starbucks, Ceramic Mugs and Handwritten Notes

Seattle chain moves quickly to change its image

Starbucks is out to change the perception of itself and a world accustomed to grab-and-go culture. How? Ceramic mugs, handwritten notes and condiment bars. Company CEO Brian Niccol talked about the company’s reintroduction of ceramic mugs several times during an earnings call with analysts yesterday. It’s a decisive shift from the signature paper cups prevalent…

The Pulse: Thawing Out

The Pulse: Thawing Out

Seattle’s food scene steps up and an ugly art tradition lives on

We made it through all the snow and ice this week, and now it’s time to gear up for Valentine’s Day. We’re keeping things simple this year — just stencils, stickers, glitter, and some white cards to decorate. What are your plans? It’s been a week full of news and updates, so here’s what’s happening…

Must List: Six Things to Do This Week

Must List: Six Things to Do This Week

Black voices and trailblazers in comedy, dance, and film

Hey, how’s it going? My kids have been out of school for three days and they, along with the neighborhood kid crew, somehow managed to build a snowman out of less than an inch of snow — truly impressive. With temps set to drop even more tonight, be sure to stay warm out there. Over…

A Unifying Good Time with Tom Papa

A Unifying Good Time with Tom Papa

The hilarious and relatable comic brings his Grateful Bread tour to Seattle on Feb. 8.

Comedian Tom Papa wants you to feel a little less alone. He knows life is full of chaos and disappointments — crappy meals, fear of the dark, and endless bad news — but instead of letting it crush you, he invites you to laugh about it. His Grateful Bread tour, much like his baking, takes…

Most Influential: Ethan Stowell

Most Influential: Ethan Stowell

Restaurateur, Activist

Chef Ethan Stowell knows good food can change lives. You probably recognize him as the force behind more than 20 Seattle-area restaurants and cafes. Now, he’s taking on a new challenge: transforming what kids eat in public schools as a member of Eat Real’s chefs council. America’s school cafeterias serve 7 billion meals a year…

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…

Moxie on Monday: Go Take a Hike!

Moxie on Monday: Go Take a Hike!

No, really. You’ll thank me later.

I have the perfect antidote for you. Go take a hike! And I mean that in the best possible way. There’s something about lacing up your sneakers, breathing in crisp morning air, and immersing yourself in nature that flips the switch on your energy, clears the mental clutter, and leaves you feeling unstoppable. For me,…

How to Wake and Win

How to Wake and Win

Create a morning routine to power your day

The first 20 minutes of your morning can determine how you’ll feel 12 hours later! That’s right. Research from the University of Pennsylvania and Ohio State University reveals that starting your day with intentionality doesn’t just boost productivity. It can transform your life. The secret? A morning routine. Morning is a sacred space, a liminal…

Moxie on Monday: Finding Your Ground in Grief

Moxie on Monday: Finding Your Ground in Grief

How to cope with loss and help others heal

The devastating fires in Los Angeles have left many of us feeling deep, collective grief. Having spent a decade in L.A. before moving to Seattle, I feel the ache of this loss on a visceral level. Entire communities have been reduced to ash, lives forever changed. The scale of devastation feels overwhelming. As an empath…

Moxie on Monday: Ready to Wake Up and Take the Plunge?

Moxie on Monday: Ready to Wake Up and Take the Plunge?

No, not into another relationship or job. Something that jolts you awake in the best way possible.

Icy waters are part of the scenery here in the Pacific Northwest. Why not incorporate this free gift from Mama Nature into your wellness routine? Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Cold water? In the middle of winter? Absolutely not.” But stay with me, because this simple, slightly crazy practice could fire up your energy,…

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…