Dear LT Community:

This is my last column to you as Executive Director of Leadership Tomorrow. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve alongside so many of you as we seek to cultivate courageous civic leaders and create communities where everyone thrives. My 10 years at LT, the last six as Executive Director, have been eventful and rewarding. In the last six years, we:

• Crafted and implemented two comprehensive strategic plans, redefining our vision, mission, and values, aligning every facet of LT’s operations with these guiding principles.
• Amplified our impact with a remarkable 300% growth in alumni engagement, programming, and giving, serving a community of more than 2,700 influencers and decision makers.
• Successfully adapted to the virtual landscape for two years, underscoring the enduring value of relationships and connection in our work.
• Deepened our dedication and capability to promote racial equity within our organization and the broader community.
• Expanded our reach beyond Seattle, attracting class members from five counties and focusing on region-wide challenges and opportunities. 
• Remained true to our mission of 40 years while evolving to meet the needs of our region for leaders who are equipped to address today's challenges.

I firmly believe in the power of us as humans to care for each other and make things better. My time at LT has only reinforced this belief. As I pass the torch, I am confident that the organization is in excellent hands, and it is a good time to make a leadership transition. (Watch for the announcement on Monday, January 8.) LT stands on a foundation of financial strength, supported by a dedicated and skilled staff, an active and engaged board, and an inspiring network of extraordinary volunteers and connected class members.  

Once a part of LT, always a part of LT. I look forward to joining you at future LT alumni events, including our 40th anniversary gala scheduled for June 2024. There is work to be done, and I look forward to the community, joy, and shared accomplishments that lie ahead.  

With gratitude, 

Sue Bennett, LT'94

Executive Director

We are thrilled to present our Annual Report for the fiscal year spanning from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023. In a world shaped by constant change and evolving challenges, the demand for civically engaged and action-oriented leaders has never been greater. As you will read in the Annual Report, Leadership Tomorrow cultivates these courageous leaders, who are not defined by title or position, but by their actions to uplift others and create a better future.

Join us as we raise our glasses to honor Sue's extraordinary 10-year journey with Leadership Tomorrow. Mark your calendar and register for a fun night of connection, celebration, and gratitude on January 23 at Metier Brewing. 

When: January 23, 2024, 5-7 p.m.

Where: Metier Brewing (Seattle location)

Tickets: $15-$35 (tickets includes drinks and food)

The LT'24 cohort is in full swing! Members of the LT'24 cohort come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, but they are united in their commitment to work collectively to make our region a place where everyone thrives.

Our 10-month Flagship Program curriculum is designed to support these goals:

• Community and Belonging: Build a diverse multi-sector learning community in which participants can find belonging, inspiration, and support for action during and after the program year.  

• Regional Challenges and Opportunities: Introduce a range of regional challenges and opportunities through the lenses of equity and antiracism; envision and explore examples of policies, institutions, and systems that promote equity.  

• Leadership: Build a toolkit of leadership skills for individual and collective action so that organizations, communities, and the region may thrive. 

Here's what cohort members have said about their experiences:

There will always be a need to have a diverse group of people involved in how neighborhoods are planned and executed. Without diverse voices at the table, the belonging piece will inevitably lag. Learning the history of the neighborhoods that I drive through and live in is something that will stick with me and influence how I support the areas, businesses, and people around me. - Tiffani Lambie, Davis Wright Tremaine

One of my biggest takeaways from this first Possibility Day was the confirmation that I indeed was not alone in my anxieties – the desire for belonging is universal, and now all 80 of us have the knowledge and power to begin (or continue) cultivating communities or neighborhoods where belonging thrives. - Cindil Redick-Ponte, LT'24, Washington State Department of Health

This cohort is beginning to come together. The conversations have been amazing! Every session, each of LT's values becomes a little brighter for each member of this cohort. This week’s speakers gave us powerful perspectives and passion fueling our desires to be better members of our local community and human beings. I’m very proud to be part of this program. - Delmas Whittaker, LT'24, Port of Seattle

Applications for the LT'25 cohort will open soon! Please help us recruit another inspiring and diverse cohort by nominating candidates. LT will follow up and encourage them to apply.

Read the updates below to see how people in our community are growing in their careers and fostering changes to make our region a place where people from all communities and identities thrive. If you have an update you would like to share with the LT community, email Megan.

LT'86: LueRachelle Brim-Atkins was featured in the American Experience docuseries "Pain and the Promise: Remembering the Fight for School Integration" from Story Corps.

LT'03: Roger Nyhus received the Public Relations Society of America's Jay Rockey Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also confirmed by the U.S. Senate as U.S. Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. 

LT'04: Sara Levin obtained a new certification: Interim Executive Leadership from Third Sector Company.

LT'11: Veronica Smith started a new position as Evaluation Officer at Sankofa Consulting.

LT'13: Representative Jamila Taylor was appointed as the new Chair of the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee in the Washington State Legislature.

LT'14: Gabriela Frank's essay, "The Ice Cave," was named a Notable Essay by Best American Essays 2023.

LT'14: R. Omar Riojas' law firm, Goldfarb & Huck Roth Riojas, PLLC, was included in Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" (2024 Edition) and designated "Metropolitan Tier 1" for Commercial Litigation. 

LT'15: Sylvia Feliciano started a new role as the Crisis Intervention Team Program Manager at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.

LT'15: Heidi Happonen started a new position as Senior Director of Communications at Northeastern University.

LT'16: Ann Hajnosz started a four-year term serving on the City of Bellevue's Environmental Services Commission.

LT'16: Jan Hogrefe was appointed to serve on the Washington State Governor's Council of Economic Advisors.

LT'16: Todd Leber started a new position as Owner and Lead Consultant at PineRose Projects.

LT'16: The Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Washington recently launched the Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. Rosalinda Mendoza serves as a member of the Advisory Board, providing strategic programming, advising, resources, and connections. Learn more here.

LT'16: Julie Pham gave a TEDx talk about curiosity as a practice. Watch it here.

LT'16: Tali Rausch started a new position as Director of Business Development and Programs at Refugee Artisan Initiative.

LT'16: Natasha Rivers received the Equity MVP award from the Office of Equity and Inclusion during BECU's Equity Summit kickoff.

LT'16: Xiao Wang was one of six "Uncommon Thinkers" who was recognized at the Geekwire Gala. Learn more here.

LT'17: Kyle Angelo joined the Board of Directors of Spark Northwest.

LT'17: Kate Morrison and her husband welcomed their son, Archie, who was born December 1.

LT'17: Jon Scanlon was elected to Whatcom County Council.

LT'17: Amberine Wilson-Enrico started a new position as Principal at The Enrico Wilson Collective.

LT'17: Janice Zahn was elected to serve a second term on Bellevue City Council.

LT'18: Leah Missik was a finalist for the Clean Tech Alliance's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award.

LT'18: Rob Saka was elected to Seattle City Council.

LT'19: Johannes Schonberg returned to his role of Dept of Navy's Northwest Tech Bridge Director at Navy Lab Keyport.

LT'19: Sara Slayton obtained a new certification: Adobe Certified Professional Adobe Real-Time CDP Business Practitioner from Adobe.

LT'19: Girmay Zahilay was elected to serve a second term on King County Council.

LT'20: Trey Chenier was promoted to Counsel at Perkins Coie LLP.

LT'20: Nykeesha Griffin is now a member of ForbesBLK, a platform and community that amplifies the voices of Black Entrepreneurs, professionals, leaders, and creators. She also was promoted to Senior Talent Manager - Differentiated Development at Microsoft.

LT'21: Shannon Benya McIntyre started a new position as Founder & CEO at Synchronic Services, LLC.

LT'21: Sam Cho was elected to serve a second term as a Port of Seattle Commissioner and serves as Commission President.

LT'21: Shirlene Evans was recognized as Top Rated on Topmate for her work as a certified professional career coach.

LT'22: Michaela Doelman was recognized as one of the global top 50 government innovators by Public Sector Network.

LT'22: Sam Read was promoted to Deputy Director at the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.

LT'23: Antje Helfrich is now a Prosci Certified Change Management Practitioner.

LT'23: Alex Sheehan started a new role as Health Policy Research Scholar at Health Policy Research Scholars.

LT'24: Andrea Stuart-Lehalle started a new role as Chief Operating Officer at Seattle International Film Festival.

LT'24: Carrie Treusch was promoted to Director of Professional Learning-California at Curriculum Associates.

LT'24: Delmas Whittaker started a new volunteer position as Chair of the Seafair Board of Directors.