Seattle Living
Most Influential, 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…
Most Influential, 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…
Most Influential, 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…
Most Influential, 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…
Most Influential, 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…
Publisher’s Note: Can Our Architecture Make Us Better?
Seattle's built environment reveals a lot about the city
With this issue’s focus on iconic Seattle architecture, we continue to drive awareness of the fact that Seattle is a world-class city, even if we ourselves may not know it yet. It’s been said that architecture stands as a representation of how we see ourselves, of how we see the world. At its most practical,…
Most Influential, Business: Maritza Lopez
Entrepreneur uses her experience to aid others
Maritza Lopez is one of Seattle’s 25 most influential people reshaping our region. #mostinfluential What began as a kind gesture to share her knowledge of cosmetology has blossomed into a flourishing business for Maritza Lopez. Along the way, Lopez has mentored dozens of young women in need of guidance and career opportunities in the midst…
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…
Meet Samantha Holloway, the latest woman sports executive changing the game in Seattle
It’s now been a year since Holloway became co-owner of the Seattle Kraken
Truth + Media — the creative media business of NBA Hall of Fame Coach George Karl — and Seattle magazine have entered into a strategic partnership. Truth + Media’s Iconic Sonics production is the leading content source for stories and discussion about the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics, who began play in 1967 and remained in Seattle…
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…
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