Seattle City Makers

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A diverse range of people are shaping Seattle's business, arts, cultural and public sectors and driving the city’s renewal and reemergence from the global pandemic. Join Downtown Seattle Association President & CEO Jon Scholes for conversations with leaders across multiple sectors who are influencing the Seattle of today and tomorrow.

Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes, one of Seattle Magazine’s Most Influential People of 2021, will feature the people behind transformative projects, organizations and initiatives in Seattle, and sometimes in other cities as well. Jon and his guests discuss lessons learned from successes and challenges, approaches to leadership and views on issues affecting urban areas here and elsewhere.

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Seattle City Makers

Episode 62: Alesha Washington

26 JUN 2024 · Ohio native Alesha Washington has lived in Seattle for two years. For the CEO of the Seattle Foundation, that’s already long enough to make the city feel like home and provide her with ample proof that the Seattle Freeze is more myth than reality. And that’s a great thing when your organization’s role is to create greater equity and opportunity in all areas of a vibrant and healthy city. Jon and Alesha discuss the changing role of community foundations; her vision and priorities for the Seattle Foundation; the importance of joy in her approach to leadership and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Alesha Washington.

Played 43m 17s
Episode 61: Ian Courtnage

11 JUN 2024 · Ian Courtnage helped grow MOD Pizza from 100 stores to 500 locations across the country. Then an opportunity arose to take the reins as CEO of Seattle-based Evergreens. Courtnage takes us behind the scenes of this healthy, fast-casual eatery that is now a local brand synonymous with salads, wraps and bowls. Jon and Ian discuss the Seattle retail market’s love for all things local; how Evergreens comes up with catchy names for menu items; doing business in Seattle; the status of downtown and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Ian Courtnage.

Played 51m 5s
Episode 60: Jeremy Price

29 MAY 2024 · When you walk into a Renee Erickson restaurant you’re in for an exceptional experience. The James Beard award-winning chef’s Sea Creatures restaurant group is known for high culinary standards and a renowned aesthetic. Sea Creatures co-founder and co-owner Jeremy Price’s design work has been featured in GQ, Esquire and Architectural Digest, to name a few publications. Jon and Jeremy discuss the company’s new restaurants coming to downtown; the changing nature of the industry; how Jeremy and Renee develop concepts for new restaurants; where Jeremy dines in Seattle and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Jeremy Price.

Played 41m 24s
Episode 59: Michele Smith

14 MAY 2024 · In a first for the Seattle City Makers Podcast, we have a returning guest. Michele Smith joined us in season one but since then her role has changed dramatically. Now the CEO of MoPOP, she’s leading Seattle’s premier pop culture institution. Jon and Michele discuss her vision for MoPOP; who and what defines pop culture; bridging the gap with area youth through film, fashion and music; Seattleites misconceptions of MoPOP and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Michele Smith.

Played 40m 47s
Episode 58: Bob Kettle

30 APR 2024 · The makeup of the Seattle City Council is much different than it was a year ago. Six of the nine council members are new to the legislative body, including downtown’s representative Bob Kettle. Jon and Bob discuss what motivated him to run for office; public safety and Seattle Police recruitment; the fentanyl crisis; his first 100 days in office and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Bob Kettle.

Played 54m 13s
Episode 57: Dominique Alex

16 APR 2024 · Mary’s Place began 25 years ago as a day center for women experiencing homelessness. Since then, this crucial nonprofit has helped thousands of women and families find stable housing. In this episode, Jon sits down with CEO Dominique Alex to talk about the real story of homelessness in our community, how to move “upstream” and tackle root causes, and the surprising reaction she received while opening a shelter in Bellevue. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Dominique Alex.

Played 50m 23s
Episode 56: Peter Tomozawa

3 APR 2024 · Billions of people will be watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and downtown Seattle will have a spot on the global stage. Seattle World Cup 2026 CEO Peter Tomozawa joins us to talk about the impact of the planet’s largest sporting event hosting six matches in Seattle. Jon and Peter talk about how Seattle was selected as a World Cup host city; the planning and coordination required leading up to the matches; the importance of downtown Seattle getting a U.S. men’s team game; the legacy this group hopes to leave behind and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Peter Tomozawa.

Played 1h 6m 22s
Episode 55: Lisa Daugaard

20 MAR 2024 · This episode of Seattle City Makers digs into some of the city’s most pressing issues. We’re joined by Purpose. Dignity. Action. (PDA) Co-director Lisa Daugaard. An outspoken leader on police and criminal justice reform, Daugaard started the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program in the Belltown neighborhood in 2011. LEAD has since expanded throughout Seattle, King County and even other cities across the country. Jon and Lisa talk about LEAD; public safety in downtown; the fentanyl crisis; homelessness and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Lisa Daugaard.

Played 1h 5m 22s
Episode 54: Casey Roloff

5 MAR 2024 · In a first for the Seattle City Makers podcast, we’re joined by someone who has actually built a town. Casey Roloff and his wife had an idea that might have sounded crazy – building the coastal town of Seabrook, Washington from scratch. Some 20 years later, it’s a thriving community attracting visitors from all over the world. Jon and Casey talk about the origin story of Seabrook; the foundational elements of making an interesting town and how those principles apply to city-making on a larger scale; the future of this Washington beach town and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Casey Roloff.

Played 1h 18s
Episode 53: Michael Greer

21 FEB 2024 · When it comes to arts and culture, Seattle’s offerings stand above those of similarly sized cities. ArtsFund President & CEO Michael Greer is well attuned to this sector. Having started his career in dance, Greer now oversees an organization that has distributed more than $100 million to arts organizations since its founding. Jon and Michael discuss the work of ArtsFund during a critical time for the arts; the status of the arts and culture sector in downtown Seattle; how this city compares to its peers; how the arts have shaped his life experience and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Michael Greer.

Played 46m 10s