Most Influential People
Arts: Elsa Sjunneson
The award-winning deafblind author and media critic is fighting ableism with an unapologetic call for representation in the media.
Elsa Sjunneson is one of Seattle’s 25 most influential people reshaping our region. #mostinfluential Deafblind author and activist Elsa Sjunneson always knew she would be a writer. As a child growing up in Belltown, she spent hours of free time crafting stories and making “books” from stapled-together pieces of loose-leaf paper. “Growing up, I knew…
Equity: Marc Dones
Working tirelessly to end homelessness
Marc Dones is one of Seattle’s 25 most influential people reshaping our region. #mostinfluential No task is too massive for King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) CEO Marc Dones. The consummate consensus builder, the diplomatic Dones has worked toward finding a solution to Seattle’s homelessness problem with the difficult task of intergovernmental communication, coordinating federal,…
Most Influential, Equity: T’wina Nobles
Community leader and lawmaker seeks to grow generational wealth in the African American community
T’wina Nobles is one of Seattle’s 25 most influential people reshaping our region. #mostinfluential Growing up in and out of foster care and homelessness with a drug-addicted mother, T’wina Nobles became familiar with social services and community needs. Now, 41, the wife, mother of four, state senator and leader of two influential organizations — the…
Media: Michael McPhearson
Taking over the ‘South Seattle Emerald’ at a crucial time
Michael McPhearson is one of Seattle’s 25 most influential people reshaping our region. #mostinfluential The South Seattle Emerald born in 2014, founded in a basement and funded by the savings account of Marcus Harrison Green. The online publication has come an awful long way since then, growing to fill Green’s ambition of providing a platform…
Arts: Kate Becker
Growing the region’s creative economy
Kate Becker is one of Seattle’s 25 most influential people reshaping our region. #mostinfluential Kate Becker is equally at ease analyzing spreadsheets as she is reading sheet music. The King County Creative Economy and Recovery director has combined her passion for music and film with her business acumen to build a stronger cultural and financial…
Sports: Julio Rodriguez
Mariners’ phenom led all rookies in virtually every offensive statistic last baseball year
Julio Rodriguez is one of Seattle’s 25 most influential people reshaping our region. #mostinfluential At age 21, he was the youngest player at last year’s MLB All-Star Game and the runner-up in the Home Run Derby. He is strong and fast and plays baseball with an unmistakable enthusiasm. He is Julio Rodriguez, the latest phenom…
Most Influential, Politics: Sam Cho
Port official is already making his mark. He's just getting started
Sam Cho is one of Seattle’s 25 most influential people reshaping our region. #mostinfluential When King County voters elected Sam Cho to the Seattle Port Commission at age 29, he became the youngest commissioner in the Port’s 111-year history. Now 32, he is poised to become the youngest and first ever commissioner of color selected…
Most Influential, Arts: Bernie Griffin
The arts executive left Seattle several times. She couldn’t stay away.
Bernie Griffin is one of Seattle’s 25 most influential people reshaping our region. #mostinfluential Every time 5th Avenue Theatre Managing Director Bernie Griffin pursued her professional ambitions around the country, she always returned to Seattle for an encore performance. The nonprofit arts executive will make one final curtain call at the end of the current…
Most Influential, Equity: Travonna Thompson-Wiley
Difficult childhood shapes activist's social justice focus
Travonna Thompson-Wiley is one of Seattle’s 25 most influential people reshaping our region. #mostinfluential Family matters. It certainly does to Seattle activist Travonna Thompson-Wiley. She is the oldest of six on her mother’s side and one of 10 children on her father’s. Yet, she insists her family is much larger. “I don’t define family as…
Most Influential, Business: Ryan Metzger
Recycling company Ridwell began as a family affair
Ryan Metzger is one of Seattle’s 25 most influential people reshaping our region. #mostinfluential Ridwell began as a father/son project in 2018 when would-be founder Ryan Metzger and 6-year-old son Owen recycled and reused everyday household products. Ever the entrepreneur, the elder Metzger urged young Owen to gather reusables and recyclables from neighbors. The…
Most Influential, Arts: E.J. Koh
The talented Seattle writer E.J. Koh is carving her own niche in the literary world
E.J. Koh is one of Seattle’s 25 most influential people reshaping our region. #mostinfluential If the writing profession were anything like a game of bingo, Seattleite E.J. Koh would be nearing a fully stamped row, if not an all-board blackout. At 34, she’s already racked up several impressive literary accolades, published a book of poetry…
Most Influential, Business: James Wong
Prolific developer wants ‘to do more good for the community’
James Wong is one of Seattle’s 25 most influential people reshaping our region. #mostinfluential James Wong grew up across the street from Beacon Hill Elementary School with blue-collar parents. His father was a cook at iconic Chinatown International District restaurants Ocean City and House of Hong. His mother was a seamstress. Instead of simply crossing…
Most Influential, Food & Drink: Emily Kim and Heather Hodge
Using their dessert-making skills for the greater social good
Emily Kim and Heather Hodge are among Seattle’s 25 most influential people reshaping our region. #mostinfluential When Emily Kim and Heather Hodge, founders of the Pastry Project, went out for drinks one evening in 2019, starting a business together was the last thing on their minds. The two women, who both worked for Molly Moon’s…
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