Who We Are
Friends of Waterfront Park is a 501c3 not for profit responsible for fundraising, stewarding, and programming at Waterfront Park alongside our community – today and into the future.
Dedicated to a renewed place to connect — to the water, to the mountains, to our city, and to one another.
In deep collaboration with individuals, communities, and institutional partners, Friends of Waterfront Park’s mission is creating, caring for, and activating a renewed place of connection on Seattle’s central shoreline. As the non-profit partner, Friends is continuing to raise $170M to support programming, construction, public safety and maintenance at Waterfront Park.
The City of Seattle began construction of the park after the Viaduct’s removal in 2019. The first pieces of the park — Pier 62 and Pioneer Square Habitat Beach — are now open for the public to enjoy.
Watch the 2023 Events Thank You Video
The vision for Waterfront Park was conceived through a community‑wide effort.
Friends is a member of the High Line Network, a movement in cities across the world to reclaim underutilized infrastructure and re-imagine it as public space.
A core promise of Friends of Waterfront Park is to activate and program Waterfront Park; to make this new public space meaningful to the community that lives here. The city opened Pier 62 in September 2020, and Friends has been piloting programs ever since, bringing arts and culture, education, and recreation to the waterfront.
Board
Carol Binder
Community Volunteer
Karla Brollier
Home Planet Fund & Ahtna Athabascan
Tom Byers
Cedar River Group
Chris DeVore
Founders’ Co-op
Leonard Forsman
The Suquamish Tribe
Kevin Geiger
Blue Wave
Olive Goh
JP Morgan Home Bank
Patrick Gordon
ZGF Architects LLP
Mike Halperin
Hg Catalyst Project
Sandra Jackson-Dumont (special advisor)
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Falona Joy
SNP Strategies, Inc.
Martha Kongsgaard
Kongsgaard-Goldman Foundation
Dan Kully
Kully Maeder Muir
Carla Lewis
Community Volunteer
Lori Metcalf
Seattle Academy
John Nesholm
LMN Architects
Jeannie Nordstrom
Community Volunteer
Michaela Raikes
Highline Public Schools
Saema Somalya
Remitly
Stuart Rolfe
Wright Hotels, Inc.
Charley Royer (emeritus)
Former Seattle Mayor
Kayley Runstad Swan
Hamlin Robinson School
Ryan Smith
Martin Smith, Inc.
Julie K. Stein
Burke Museum, University of Washington
Hewan Teshome
Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle Kraken
Louie Ungaro
The Muckleshoot Tribe
Maggie Walker
The Walker Family Foundation
Brady Piñero Walkinshaw
Earth Alliance
Charles Wright
Merrill Gardens, LLC
Leadership
Priyanka Anand
Philanthropy Events and Stewardship Manager
Tom Beck
Data Systems Analyst
Brianna Browne
Programs Manager
Richelle Dickerson
Assistant Director of People & Culture
Angela Escudero
Digital Marketing Manager
Antinee Phongvichit Eteaki
Event and Facility Operations Lead
Denise Evans
Assistant Director of Accounting and Finance
Kelli Faryar
Senior Programs Manager
Alex Harding
Production Manager
Frederick Hagreen
Executive Assistant
Laura Hendrichsen
Event Production and Site Manager
Yoon Kang-O'Higgins
Senior Director of Community Impact and Programs
Marie Kidhe
Strategic Partnerships Consultant
Kjerstin Laine
Senior Manager of Annual Giving
Maria Lopez
Public Safety Manager
Jessica Lotz
Community Impact and Programs Coordinator
Jason Merges
Senior Content and Marketing Manager
Mark Meuter
Senior Production Manager
Jamala Myres
Facilities On-Site Operations Manager
Anna O'Donnell
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Kelsey Oliver-Connelly
Operations and Administrative Coordinator
Nico Onoda-McGuire
Senior Manager of Community Impact
Jordan Remington
Programs Manager and Curator of Indigenous Programs
Maria Reyna
Assistant Director of Community Impact and Programs
Elyse Rickard
Philanthropy Database Coordinator
Sequoia Selah
Administrative Assistant, Community Impact and Programs
Shiva Shafii
Director of Marketing and Communications
Joy Shigaki
President & CEO
Joey Smith
Assistant Director of Philanthropy
Eldon Tam
Chief Operating Officer
Pulling Together Committee
The Pulling Together Committee convenes members of our local Tribal leaders, community members, and Urban Natives from the greater Puget Sound region to support the goals and objectives of Friends of Waterfront Park through the inclusion of Indigenous voices, values, and interests by assessing Friends’ community engagement and partnerships efforts, public programs, events, and activities at Seattle’s Waterfront. Learn more.
Karama Blackhorn (Squaxin)
Member
Felicia Bryan (Chinook)
Member
Wesley Edminister (Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe)
Member
Deborah Guerrero MSW (Tlingit, Filipino, Cowlitz, Snoqualmie, French Canadian First Nations, Irish, German)
Member
Carolyn Hartness (Eastern Band Cherokee/Norwegian)
Member
Karen Johnson (Squamish, Indopino)
Member
Jessica Juarez-Wagner
Potlatch Fund Representative
Ellany Kayce (Tlingit)
Member
Mercedes Luna (Tlingit/Japanese/Filipino)
Member
Megan McDermott (Little Shell Chippewa, Blackfeet, Cree)
Member
Jordan Remington (Quileute)
Facilitator
Tiarraray Square (St. Regis Mohawk Tribe)
Member
Edna Wyena (Yakima & Muckleshoot)
Member
Community Connections Committee
The Community Connections Committee convenes individuals from various communities throughout Seattle and the Puget Sound region, who are exclusively from marginalized groups and/or identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color. C3 is also joined by two additional members of the Friends’ board to oversee and advance Friends’ inclusion and social equity efforts on the Board of Directors level. Learn more.
Rosendo Ayala
Member
Tareq Fayyad
Member
Priya Frank
Member
Olive Goh
Member
Ashraf Hasham
Member
Margo Jones
Member
David Kim
Member
Victor Loo
Member
Carolina Lope
Member
Brittney Nitta-Lee
Member
Eze Oluo
Member
Taelore Rhoden
Member
Sina Sam
Member
Melody Xie
Member
Work With Us
See our listings below for open employment opportunities.
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The Associate Director of Data Systems reports directly to the COO, and will lead Friends in developing, elevating, and enhancing data systems that will help communicate Friends’ work with internal and external stakeholders and measure progress and impact toward strategic initiatives and park opening. This position will oversee a variety of data collection and analysis initiatives, collaborating across departments to ensure data quality and cohesion in data use and reporting.
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The Social Media Manager and Writer is a new, 2-year term limited position to support Friends of Waterfront Park’s strategic efforts as the organization nears the Grand Opening of Seattle’s new downtown Waterfront Park, lasting through December 2026. This role is essential in shaping and sharing the voice of Friends, engaging with our vibrant community, and elevating the public’s connection to Waterfront Park.
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Want to bring an event to Waterfront Park? Follow the link below for more information about our rental program.
Resources
Download more information on the design, history, and community partners behind Waterfront Park.
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- HR&A Value Study
- HR&A Value Study Summary
- Friends Activation Report 2019
- Friends Activation Report 2018
- Friends Activation Report 2017
- Friends Activation Report 2016
- Friends Annual Report 2020
- Friends Annual Report 2019
- Friends Annual Report 2018
- Friends Annual Report 2017
- Friends Annual Report 2016
- Friends Annual Report 2015
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- 2024-05-29_Walking-Tour-Book-V7_REBRANDED_digi
- 2023 Corporate Sponsorships packet
- Waterfront Park Operating Commitments Brochure 2020
- A Sustainable Waterfront Park
- Central Waterfront Map June 2017
- Project Overview January 2016
- Gray Magazine Interview with James Corner December 2016
- Hot Spot Schedule 2019
- Hot Spot Schedule 2018
- Hot Spot Schedule 2017
- Hot Spot Schedule 2016
Press & Media
Seattle’s Waterfront Park Enhances Safety with Minimal Police Intervention
Puget Sound Business Journal
July 28, 2024
20-Acre Waterfront Park to Bring Added Outdoor Space to Seattle Community
The Registry
March 26, 2024
Seattle Waterfront Park Project Finally Enters Its Home Stretch
The Urbanist — March 20, 2024
Joy Shigaki: Seattle’s Most Influential
Seattle Magazine — January 8, 2024
Seattle intends to revamp its waterfront parks network in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
American City and Country — August 31, 2023
Seattle’s downtown revitalization push continues with waterfront parks overhaul
Smart Cities Dive — August 29, 2023
Melinda French Gates, Mackenzie Scott, Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg Combine Forces to Restore Seattle’s Waterfront
Barron's Penta — August 29, 2023
Hōkūleʻa crew pays tribute to victims in deadly Lāhainā wildfire during its stop in Washington State
Kaua'i Now — August 28, 2023
Giving Pledgers to fund Seattle waterfront projects ahead of World Cup
Philanthropy News Digest — August 28, 2023
$45M public-private partnership aims to revitalize Seattle waterfront
The Center Square — August 25, 2023
City, Port of Seattle Announce Public–Private Partnership to Revitalize Parks on Elliott Bay Waterfront
The Registry — August 23, 2023
New initiative looks to improve parks, accessibility along Seattle’s Elliott Bay
Fox13 — August 23, 2023
Melinda French Gates, MacKenzie Scott among backers of new waterfront parks plan
Puget Sound Business Journal — August 23, 2023
Melinda French Gates, MacKenzie Scott join $45M effort to connect and revitalize Seattle waterfront
GeekWire — August 23, 2023
Melinda French Gates, MacKenzie Scott to help transform Seattle waterfront
Seattle Times — August 23, 2023
Seattle’s free waterfront shuttle returns to service
Fox 13 Seattle — July 17, 2023
Indigiqueer Festival Returns for Second Year at Pier 62
The Stranger — June 21, 2023
Indigiqueer Festival Celebrates Pride with Indigenous Drag, Art, Dance, and More at Pier 62
South Seattle Emerald — June 16, 2023
PHOTO ESSAY | Massive Monkees Day 2023
South Seattle Emerald — May 31, 2023
2023年Waterfront Park音樂、藝術和社區活動日曆
Seattle Chinese Times — May 17, 2023
FRIENDS OF WATERFRONT SEATTLE ANNOUNCES 2023 CALENDAR OF MUSIC, ARTS, & COMMUNITY EVENTS AT WATERFRONT PARK
Converge Media — May 16, 2023
New street signs honor first name of Seattle’s waterfront: Dzidzilalich
Seattle Times — April 24, 2023
Seattle Office of Arts & Culture Nurtures Neighborhood Recovery with $1.1M Activation Fund
Art Beat Blog — April 4, 2023
Seattle Center Expands Role to include Managing Waterfront Park Operations in Partnership with Friends of Waterfront Seattle
Center Spotlight — January 24, 2023
Waterfront Seattle to Kick Off 2023 Events with Lunar New Year
The Urbanist — January 12, 2023
Transformative waterfront park to be completed in 2025
NW Asian Weekly — November 23, 2022
Revitalization of Seattle waterfront takes shape after more than a decade of construction
Puget Sound Business Journal — November 7, 2022
Shigaki is Friends of Waterfront Seattle’s new CEO
NW Asian Weekly — September 16, 2022
Seattle’s Waterfront is transforming and UW’s tentacles are all over it
UW Magazine — September 1, 2022
How Seattle’s new waterfront could boost a battered downtown and impact tech companies
GeekWire — April 14, 2022
A day out on the Seattle waterfront with kids
Seattle's Child — March 31, 2022
Seattle Waterfront: What’s new and what’s planned for family fun
Seattle's Child — March 31, 2022
In Waterfront Park, the seeds of a better Seattle
The Seattle Times — March 18, 2022
Amazon pledges $5M to help support ongoing construction of Seattle’s new Waterfront Park
Seattle Pi — December 9, 2021
‘Reflections’ Dance Festival: A Gift of Indigenous and African American Solidarity
South Seattle Emerald — November 3, 2021
Maggie Walker anticipates the construction of Seattle’s Waterfront Park
Puget Sound Business Journal — September 10, 2021
Pier 62 Shows Seattle in Its Best Light
Seattle Met — March 2, 2021
Seattle’s newest waterfront public space has finally opened
Seattle Urbanized — September 21, 2020
The Future Of Art Is Collaboration: A Conversation With Takiyah Ward
South Seattle Emerald — August 16, 2020
Salmon swim past downtown along new ‘highway’ for fish
Seattle Times — June 4, 2019
New study: Waterfront park is Seattle’s new weapon to retain tech talent
Puget Sound Business Journal — March 11, 2019
A Bold New Waterfront Is Coming to Seattle Soon
Seattle Magazine — March 1, 2019
Waterfront Park fits how Seattle lives, works
Daily Journal of Commerce — February 28, 2019
Opinion: Shared investments show Seattle at its best
Puget Sound Business Journal — February 20, 2019
Friends of Waterfront Seattle Incubates Small Business to Promote Equity February 2019
Puget Sound Business Journal — February 20, 2019
Will we really have a ‘Waterfront for All’?
Daily Journal of Commerce — December 5, 2018
$45M public-private partnership aims to revitalize Seattle waterfront
Queen Anne & Magnolia News —
For media inquiries, please contact Shiva Shafii at [email protected].