Center for Architecture & Design

As Executive Director of the Seattle Architecture Foundation (SAF), I was one of three lead staff guiding the vision and execution of a $2.5M capital campaign to create Seattle’s first Design Center. This effort was a unique collaboration between SAF (a 501(c)(3)), AIA Seattle (a 501(c)(6)), and Design in Public (a 501(c)(3)), alongside a team of dedicated volunteers, board members, committee leaders, and pro-bono architects. 

Together, we developed the concept and project scope, raised the necessary funds, and oversaw the design, buildout, and launch of a 4,500 SF storefront space in the heart of the city. The Center was envisioned as a home base for four design organizations, while also serving as a civic hub, a space for hosting exhibits, talks, youth and family programs, and special events for both the public and design professionals. 

My leadership included steering the fundraising strategy, cultivating major donors, and securing both cash and in-kind gifts, resulting in over $2 million raised to cover the buildout and establish an operations reserve. Prior to launch, we engaged a broad set of stakeholders by hosting community meetings, conducting surveys, and consulting with key leaders in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries to confirm the value and long-term viability of the project. 

The outcome was a vibrant, shared space that not only elevated the visibility of Seattle’s design community but also created a lasting platform for public engagement with architecture and design.