A New Year of Influence
Seattle magazine’s Most Influential list kicks off 2026 with leaders across the city.
By Seattle Mag January 6, 2026
New year, new issue!
As we kick off 2026, Seattle magazine is proud to present this year’s cohort of the Most Influential list, which showcases local leaders in politics, philanthropy, arts, hospitality, and business. Determined, creative, empathetic, humble, and bold are just a few of the words you’ll see describing them—each one has achieved great things in their careers and is continually pushing to broaden and evolve their fields. From our cover star, Michael Bennett, whose post-football career pivot to architecture and design highlights his many talents, to Katie Wilson, Seattle’s newly inaugurated mayor, the two dozen movers and shakers on the list are making a serious impact on our city—and we can’t wait to see what they have planned for 2026.
Outside the Most Influential list, there’s an entire issue to explore, and in its pages you’ll find stories about Seattle’s entrance into the Professional Women’s Hockey League (Go Torrent!), three new artist residency programs in the Puget Sound, and a deep dive on Vyvyn Lazonga, Seattle’s First Lady of Tattoo, who has been inking customers for more than 50 years. In Seattle Business magazine, we dig into workplace culture with the annual Best Companies list and share advice from the Washington Athletic Club’s first female president and CEO.
In her editor’s letter, Rachel Gallaher wrote that this group “isn’t just influential, it’s inspirational,” and we couldn’t agree more. The Most Influential list truly sets the tone for a fresh season, and we hope that reading the stories behind each person included inspires you to reach for all your goals—no matter how outsized they may seem—in the year to come.
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