The Most Influential Seattleites of 2017
The activists, artists, officials and neighbors making Seattle a better place.
By Virginia Smyth November 1, 2017
This article originally appeared in the November 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.
It seems that for every action in this turbulent year, there has been an equal and opposite reaction. From social media campaigns to peaceful marches to lunchroom heroes swooping in to save the day, this was a year of taking a stand. Our Most Influential People of 2017 inspire us with their positive leadership and solution-oriented efforts to solve some of our city’s most daunting challenges.
This year—when our nation is more divided than ever—we’ve sought out people who are using their influence to affect positive change, working to bring together diverse groups, reaching out to help underserved populations and seeking to empower citizens. We hesitate to call them do-gooders—with that phrase’s Pollyanish overtones—but they are collectively doing good for Seattle and our region.
Person of the Year: The Unexpected Activist
The Marchers: Organizers of the Womxn’s March on Seattle
Community Center: The KEXP Gathering Space
The Defenders: Bob Ferguson, Noah Purcell and James Robart
Home Finder: Amazon’s John Schoettler
Giving Shelter: Xochitl Maykovich
Conscientious Objector: Chris Vance
Citizen Scientist: Sarah Myhre
Economic Transformer: Jill Mangaliman
Cellular Connection: Rick Horwitz
Immigrant Rights Advocates: Jorge Baron and Carlos Rodriguez
Bridge Builder: Aneelah Afzali
Justice Fighters: Nikkita Oliver, Dominique Davis and Anne Levinson
Coalition Builder: C. Davida Ingram
Pike Place Market Authority: Ben Franz-Knight
Youth Jail Breaker: Senait Brown
Seattle Times Truth Tellers: Mike Baker and Justin Mayo
Transit Transformer: Shefali Ranganathan
School Lunch Philanthropist: Jeffery Lew
Arts Enablers: Intiman Theatre’s Andrew Russell and Jennifer Zeyl
Crosscut’s 2017 Courage Award Winners
Follow Us
Barnes & Noble Is Coming Back to Downtown Seattle
The bookseller will open a new flagship at 520 Pike, marking the largest retail lease in downtown Seattle since 2020.
Barnes & Noble is returning to downtown Seattle for the first time since early 2020. The national bookseller has signed a 10-year lease for a new flagship at 520 Pike Street, a 29-story tower, taking over 17,538 square feet on the corner of Pike and 6th Avenue. The store is expected to open in the…
Le Petit Chef Makes a Big Splash in Seattle
The immersive, whimsical dining experience debuts at the Kimpton Palladian Hotel.
At a recent dinner, I sat across from a friend, smiling as a tiny orange-and-black butterfly landed on my empty plate. Just inches away, a small figure in chef whites and red boots strolled out of a greenhouse with a rake perched over his shoulder. He then proceeded to work a patch of dirt, plant…
A Citywide Toast to Sockeye
40 Seattle-area restaurants are teaming up for the fourth annual Bristol Bay Salmon Week.
Seattle’s fishing culture is something to be proud of. Drive over the Ballard Bridge on any given day and you’ll see the fleet docked below. The weathered, working boats stacked with gear, waiting for their next trip north, are striking, aren’t they? It’s hard, dangerous work, and there’s something so compelling and fierce about the…
Restaurant Roundup: Halal Bagels and Mario Party
Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.
OK, we’ll say it—we love Seattle Restaurant Week, but it also gives us a little bit of anxiety and a lot of FOMO. There are just so many choices. Hundreds of restaurants, food carts, cafes, and bars can be a tad overwhelming, but 10? That’s a much more manageable number. Thankfully, Secret Seattle put together…