Most Influential: Kathleen Brooker

Kathleen Brooker helped steer Historic Seattle to a huge victory this year with the acquisition of an endangered century-old multi-ethnic arts venue

Kathleen Brooker [ Executive Director, Historic Seattle ]

Veteran preservationist Brooker was brought in from Denver in 2008 to take over Historic Seattle, the nonprofit agency charged with finding new uses for historic structures. The agency turned 35 this year, and celebrated by expanding its advocacy and broadening its appeal with the launch of YPG—a group of young preservationists and a clear example of how Brooker is shaking out the fusty-dusty image of preservation. She helped steer the group to a huge victory this year with the acquisition of the endangered century-old multi-ethnic arts venue Washington Hall. “That’s why I love buildings almost as much as people,” Brooker says. “They shelter us, we protect them; they can grow to embrace new life, and we can grow by making the connections that make it work.”