King County’s First Annual State of Connection Leadership Forum
Executive and community leadership forum hosted by The Seattle Chamber of Connection, Seattle Connection Council, and Cascade PBS.
47% of King County residents are at risk or vulnerable to social disconnection. It is impacting our health, local economy, democracy, philanthropy, and arts community.
The Seattle Connection Council, a 27-member cross-sector leadership body charged with safeguarding and strengthening social connection and community, has commissioned the first annual study on social connection in the region. We will be sharing the findings publicly for the first time on October 27th, and discussing the implications and opportunities for organizations and individuals to deepen impact.
Members of the Connection Council will present findings from the study, while including sector-specific insights such as:
How can we increase the vibrancy of downtown Seattle and neighborhood retail corridors?
What is needed to ensure growth in philanthropy and support for the arts?
How are youth being impacted and how do we best support them?
The presentation will also include research from the US Chamber of Connection on how connection impacts consumer behavior, how inviters play a pivotal role in rebuilding our social fabric, and how we can redesign our cities to support connection at scale.
The program begins promptly at 7pm, and there will be a reception immediately following the program with drinks and light bites.
About the Seattle Connection Council:
The Seattle Connection Council is a cross-sector leadership body charged with safeguarding and strengthening social connection and community. It ensures Seattle remains a city defined by human connection and the conditions that drive personal wellbeing, economic vitality, cultural richness, and pluralism.
Seattle Connection Council
Allison Briscoe-Smith, Diversity Lead at University of Washington
Alonda Williams, President & CEO at Big Brothers Big Sisters
Alvertis Brooks Jr., Executive Director at Rainier Valley Community Development Fund
Andrea Anderson, CEO at Girl Scouts of Western Washington
Brian Lawrence, CEO at Seattle Public Library Foundation
Crystal Brown, Executive Director at Cultivate South Park
Dana Guy, Executive Director at PEPS
Derrick Belgarde, CEO at Chief Seattle Club
Duy Tran, President, University District Community Council
Ilona Lohrey, President & CEO at GSBA
Jacob Simons, Principal & Strategy Practice Leader, Gensler
Janice Deguchi, Executive Director at Neighborhood House
Jen Haller, Partner at Ascend VC
Jessi Wasson, Deputy Director at Inspire Washington
Jon Scholes, President & CEO at Downtown Seattle Association
Joshua Stabenfeldt, Associate Vice President – Programs & Membership at YMCA
Kayla DeMonte, Deputy Director at Citizen University
Lara Littlefield, Executive Director at Allen Family Philanthropies
Laura Smith, Co-Owner, General Manager, Designated Broker at Windermere
Marguerite Ro, WA State Director at AARP
Meghan Barnes, Executive Director – Puget Sound at Blue Star Families
Michael Greer, President & CEO at ArtsFund
Quynh Pham, Director at the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
Rachel Ligtenberg, President & CEO at Pike Place Market PDA
Rebecca Bear, President & CEO at Seattle Parks Foundation
Rebecca Farwell, Senior Vice President & COO at Cascade PBS
Roxanne Christian, President, Alliance for Education
Terry Kyllo, Executive Director at Paths to Understanding