Most Influential
The Most Influential People
Meet 25 extraordinary individuals and one transformative company building community and advocating for equity
By Rob Smith January 8, 2025
This article originally appeared in the January/February 2025 issue of Seattle magazine.
Seattle magazine’s annual list of Most Influential people includes those who inspire, guide and uplift others through their actions, leadership and dedication. Their far-reaching influence stems from their achievements, but equally important, their ability to foster connections across the community, advocate for positive change, and empower others to make a difference.
Here are Seattle’s Most Influential people and, for the first time, it includes one innovative and transformative company that literally put the region on the global map.
- Luther Hughes: Poet
- Peter Tomozawa: CEO, Seattle 2026 World Cup Organizing Committee
- Nia-Amina Minor: Dance
- Microsoft: Business, Equity
- Faraji Blakeney: Co-Executive Director, Yoga Behind Bars
- Matika Wilbur: Photographer, Activist
- David Baker: Scientist
- Bob Davidson: CEO, Seattle Aquarium
- Susan Lieu: Author, Playwright
- Nick Ferderer: Entrepreneur, Activist
- Samantha Holloway: Co-Owner, Seattle Kraken
- Jaci McCormack: CEO, Co-Founder, Rise Above
- Delaney Ruston: Physician, Filmmaker
- Hamdi Mohamed: Seattle Port Commissioner
- Uttam Mukherjee: Co-Founder of Spice Waala
- Dr. Aakanksha Sinha: Co-Founder of Spice Waala
- Ethan Stowell: Restaurateur, Activist
- Girmay Zahilay: King County Council Member
- Valerie Segrest: Native Nutrition Educator
- Andy Jassy: CEO, Amazon
- Yasuaki Saito: Restaurateur, Advocate
- Amy King: CEO, Pallet
- Amy Tipton: Entrepreneur
- Rico Quirindongo: Director at Office of Planning and Community Development, City of Seattle
- Jen Barnes: Owner, Rough & Tumble
- David Bateman: Founder, Cyber Civil Rights Legal Project at K&L Gates
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Most Influential: Jen Barnes
Owner, Rough & Tumble
Lots of people tried to dissuade Jen Barnes from opening Rough & Tumble, among the first women-themed sports bars in the United States. She didn’t listen. “Quite a few tried to talk me out of this because at the time it was crazy,” says Barnes, a fourth-generation Seattleite and a huge sports fan who spent…
Most Influential: Rico Quirindongo
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CEO, Seattle Aquarium
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