Most Influential
Seattle’s Most Influential People
Making a significant difference in our community
By Rob Smith January 8, 2024
This article originally appeared in the January/February 2024 issue of Seattle magazine.
Five women fighting Asian hate. The Civic Poet of Seattle. The Medical Mythbuster. A woman in charge of helping to revamp Seattle’s waterfront.
They are just four of Seattle magazine’s Most Influential People of 2024. These extraordinary individuals sometimes (not always) toil in obscurity, but they’re fighting to improve their communities with whatever means available. They are truly heroes working to make our constantly changing city, state, and nation more livable, accessible, and equal.
The list is based on three main criteria:
Who are the (potentially) unsung heroes who did something significant last year? Who is working selflessly to find solutions to our region’s or world’s problems? Who has been behind some of the year’s biggest news stories? It’s not often who you think.
All approach their work or activism from a unique lens. All are making a difference in our community.
These are Seattle’s Most Influential People. Join us every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday over the next two months as we roll out stories highlighting their impactful work.
Philanthropy
Equity
- Mari Horita, Mimi Gan, Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, Betti Fujikado, Katherine Cheng (OSAYS)
- Matt Chan
- Conrad Reynoldson
- Vivian Phillips
- Cynthia Brothers
- Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe
Politics
Arts
Business
Sports
Hospitality
Health Care
Education
Fashion
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Most Influential, Sports: Kalen Deboer
Former University of Washington football coach
He started out small, leading Sioux Falls to three NAIA championships in his five years as head coach. He then worked his way up the NCAA food chain with stops at Southern Illinois and Western Michigan... Photo by Scott Eklund / Redbox Pictures
