Dear LT Community:

Wow, wow, wow! What a month! I must start with a huge thank you to the LT community that has welcomed me with such kindness and warmth over the past several weeks. I have spent my first month diving in, from celebrating Sue Bennett at her Farewell Party to a four-hour retreat with over 20 LT board members and the Mid-Year Retreat with LT’24.

It has been a delight to hear directly from you about what you love about LT – the people, the experience, the skill building, the laughter, the commitment to engage in challenging conversations, and the community that lasts for years.

Over the next month, I look forward to seeing many more of you at meetups we’ll be holding around the region. I want to hear from you: What do you love about LT? Where are there opportunities to do even more to support transformative leadership in the Puget Sound region?

Please be sure to save the date for our 40th anniversary celebration on June 18 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. It will be a terrific reunion and celebration of our community!

With gratitude,

Bindiya Patel

Executive Director

In celebration of Black History month, we asked our board member Amelia Ransom, Honorary LT, VP, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Smartsheet, to reflect on what Black history means to her and why she gives her time to LT. Here's what she said.

Black history is truly American history. Every facet of this country has been influenced and impacted by the contributions of Black Americans. One of the quotes I live by is "You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it." The work of appropriately and accurately including the contributions of Black Americans will require leadership from all of us. 

I live that quote in my work every day. The work of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion can feel Sisyphean. The challenges are real and can seem intractable. My reminder to myself is that I'm to do the best I can do while I have the torch. But at some point, I'll need to pass that torch along, just like someone passed it on to me so we can have continued success. If I felt like it all begins and ends with me, I'll only work from a place of ego and not community. 

I give my time to LT because inclusive leadership is a key tenet in building a more productive and vital region. LT is committed to ensuring that leaders from all industries have their eyes wide open about the challenges of our region and why we need to ensure everyone has a chance to prosper here. 

Join us to connect online or in person with our new Executive Director. In addition to getting acquainted with Bindiya, you'll have the opportunity to voice your ideas and insights on how LT can play a pivotal role in contributing to a thriving region. We're excited to hear your ideas!

• Thursday, March 7 from 12-1 p.m. on Zoom
• Wednesday, March 13 from 4-6 p.m. at LT's office (1301 5th Ave, Suite 1500, Seattle, WA 98101)
• Monday, March 18 from 4-6 p.m. at Poquitos in Tacoma (649 Division Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403)
• Thursday, March 21 from 4-6 p.m. at The Yard in North Seattle (8313 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103)

Applications for the LT'25 cohort are due April 1, before 5 p.m. Here's how you can help us recruit another incredible group of cross-sector leaders who are committed to working collectively to make our region a place where everyone thrives.

• All alumni: Nominate potential candidates here. Submit your nominations by mid-March so candidates have enough time to consider the opportunity.

• Alumni who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color: Attend and bring candidates to our annual Networking & Recruitment Event for BIPOC Alumni and Candidates on Tuesday, March 12, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Learn more here.

• Olympia-based alumni: Join us and bring local candidates to our Olympia recruiting and networking lunch on Monday, March 18, from 12-1:30 p.m. at Washington's Lottery. Email Megan for more information and to register.

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate four decades of cultivating leaders. Save the date for our special 40th anniversary party on June 18, 2024, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Victory Hall. More details coming soon!

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'94: Juan Cotto's book, He Thinks He's White, is now available at Third Place Books Seward Park.

LT'05: Erika Schmidt was promoted to President of SAPPINGTON.

LT'10: Josh Gaul was promoted to Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, Assistant Corporate Secretary at Starbucks.

LT'14: Andy Schroeder's business, Olympia Coffee, is opening a new location in Downtown Seattle.

LT'14: Windy Wilkins started a new position as COO at Enmasse World.

LT'15: Ben Jenson was promoted to Partner at Camber Collective.

LT'15: Amanda Koster started a new role as Software Engineer at Aardvark Intel, AI.

LT'15: Jay Naillon started a new position as Vice President of Technology Solutions at Sutherland.

LT'15: Asa Tate started a new role as Executive Director, Planned Giving at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

LT'17: Drew Steen was named Co-Chair of the National Business and Corporate Transactions Practice at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP.

LT'18: Callista Chen was promoted to Vice President, Programs & Operations at Reboot Representation.

LT'19: Nick Diede was promoted to Principal at Seneca Group.

LT'19: Marie Farrell started a new role as Senior Director Commercial Services at Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.

LT'19: Ingrid Stegemoeller was promoted to Industry Engagement Director at Partnership for Learning.

LT'19: Girmay Zahilay was recently appointed to the Sound Transit Board by King County Executive Dow Constantine.

LT'21: Katie Weiss was promoted to Director of Leadership Giving at KEXP.

LT'22: Linda Lowry recently launched a new bi-weekly column, "Social in Seattle," in the Seattle magazine.

LT'22: Kimberly Miyazawa Frank joined the Gift of Adoption National Board of Directors.

LT'23: Titi Denloye started a new position as Program Manager, Office of Science and Innovation at Allen Institute.

LT'23: Lisa Drake joined the FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. Washington Chapter Board of Directors.

LT'23: Jason Kuster started a new position as Senior Software Engineer at Snowflake.

LT'23: Jay ONeal joined the Zero Waste Washington Board of Directors.

LT'23: Camille Reynaud was promoted to Managing Director of Advancement at Washington State Opportunity Scholarship.