Greater Seattle Chamber Of Commerce

Seattle, WA · Founded 1882

Business advocacy organization helping members thrive in an equitable regional economy

Primary audience
Business Members
Work area
Regional Advocacy
Topic
Healthcare Policy
Contact
Rachel Smith
Website Contact

About Organization

Advocates for employers and helps members thrive in an equitable and inclusive regional economy through policy advocacy, business programs, and community engagement. Based in Seattle, WA, the chamber is the largest and most diverse business community in the region, founded in 1882. Operating with $11.6 million in annual revenue and 109 employees.

What They Focus On

Business Advocacy

Represents member interests in policy development and advocates for pro-business initiatives at local and state levels

Member Services

Provides networking opportunities, professional development resources, and support services for member organizations

Community Leadership

Develops business leadership capacity and facilitates collaboration on community priorities and regional challenges

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$11.6M

-2.7% vs 2022

Expenses (2023)

$12.0M

+0.5% vs 2022

Assets (2023)

$28.3M

+3.5% vs 2022

Employees (2023)

109

+1.9% vs 2022

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2023 $11,622,080 $11,977,218 $28,285,909 109
2022 $11,949,125 $11,918,814 $27,331,067 107
2021 $11,434,802 $10,327,310 $20,393,931 153
2020 $11,051,510 $9,609,101 $24,652,320 62
2019 $10,461,274 $10,145,686 $20,585,573 108
2018 $9,736,878 $10,199,067 $19,329,179 115
2017 $8,583,379 $9,230,376 $18,977,547 115

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Member Engagement

    Identifies priority issues through stakeholder consultation and analysis of business community needs

  • 02

    Strategic Planning

    Develops targeted initiatives based on member input and regional economic development priorities

  • 03

    Program Implementation

    Executes programs through partnerships with member organizations and community stakeholders

  • 04

    Impact Assessment

    Evaluates outcomes through member feedback and tracks progress toward organizational objectives

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Greater Seattle Chamber Of Commerce

WORKSITE TOURS

Facilitates collaboration and development in worksite tours through targeted programming and partnerships

Community Engagement

Facilitates collaboration between business and community stakeholders on shared priorities

Business Advocacy

Represents business interests in policy development and legislative initiatives at state and local levels

Leadership Programs

Develops business leadership capacity through training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities

Member Services

Provides networking opportunities, resources, and support to member organizations across the region

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Greater Seattle Chamber Of Commerce.

RS

Rachel Smith

President & CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $424,510
LC

Lisa Chick

Afe President
Compensation: $245,000
MC

Mel Clark

Ctaw Executive Director
Compensation: $227,722
LE

Lars Erickson

SVP Of Public Affairs & Comms
Full-time
Compensation: $177,969
LB

Lynnette Buffington

Chief Of Staff From 01/24
Full-time
SK

Shkelqim Kelmendi

Housing Connector Ed
Compensation: $288,194
SF

Stephanie Formas

Challenge Seattle VP
Compensation: $273,573

Milestones

1882

Organization Founded

1882

Established to serve business community development and economic growth initiatives

1954

Regional Expansion

1954

Extended programming and membership services to serve broader regional business community

2025

Program Enhancement

2025

Launched enhanced member services and expanded advocacy initiatives for business community

2026

Continued Impact

2026

Maintains active programming serving member organizations and regional economic development priorities

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AB
Aaron Blank Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
AH
Ada Healey Board Chair 1.00 hrs/week
AW
Alesha Washington Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
AD
Angela Dunleavy Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
AB
Anna Boone Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
BM
Bill McSherry Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
BD
Bob Donegan Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
BD
Brian Defoe Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
BF
Bryan Flintoff Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CV
Claire Verity Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CG
Clayton Graham Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CE
Colleen Echohawk Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CW
Courtney Wallace Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DS
Dave Stewart Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DN
David Namura Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DS
Delee Shoemaker Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DB
Diana Birkett Rakow Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DM
Donna Moodie Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
EP
Eduardo Penalver Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
EL
Eric Lonergan Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
FF
Frank Foti Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
GM
Gordon McHenry Jr Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
GA
Gretchen Adams Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
HR
Heather Redman Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
HT
Hewan Teshome Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
HH
Hilary Hehman Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JG
Jacqueline Gruber Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JG
Jaebadiah Gardner Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JE
Jaison Elkins Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JO
Jaja Okigwe Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JA
Jared Axelrod Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JD
Jasmine Donovan 2Nd Vice Chair 1.00 hrs/week
JB
Jen Berg Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JC
Jessica Clawson Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JJ
Jila Javdani Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JB
Jim Blundell Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JM
Jim Morehead Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JW
Jim Wales Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JF
Joe Fugere Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JB
Joey Burgess Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JM
John Murray Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JS
John Schoettler Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JW
John Wenstrup Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JL
Julien Loh Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
KS
Kamala Saxton Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
KM
Karla Malacon Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
KC
Katherine Cheng Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
KS
Kerri Schroeder Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
KS
Kirk Schulz Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
KA
Kris Agers Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
KS
Krish Srinivasan Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
KT
Krishna Thiagarajan Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
LC
Laura Clise Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
LM
Laura MacNeil Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
LR
Laura Ray Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MB
Marc Berger Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MB
Marianne Bichsel Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MH
Matt Hill Treasurer 1.00 hrs/week
MM
Maya Mendoza Extrom Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MG
Michael Greer Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MM
Michelle Merriweather Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
NS
Nate Silverman Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
NB
Nic Bley Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
OG
Ollie Garrett Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
PD
Paige Davis Secretary 1.00 hrs/week
PM
Pallavi Mehta Wahi Immediate Past Chair 1.00 hrs/week
PB
Patrick Bannon Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
PH
Paula Hammond Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RH
Randy Hodgins Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RD
Richard De Sam Lazaro Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RM
Robert Mahon Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RC
Robyn Corr Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RR
Ryan Roberts Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
SS
Sharmila Swenson Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
SH
Steve Hooper Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
SM
Steve Metruck Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
SL
Susan Loosmore Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
TH
Teresa Hutson Vice Chair 1.00 hrs/week
TG
Thomas Garrett Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
WT
Walt Townes Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
WD
Will Daugherty Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
WL
Will Ludlam Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
ZH
Zach Hensley Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$1.8M

Highest Paid

$445K

Rachel Smith

Compensated Officers

6

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Rachel Smith President & CEO $424,510 $20,239 $444,749 39
Shkelqim Kelmendi Housing Connector Ed $288,194 $19,512 $307,706 —
Stephanie Formas Challenge Seattle VP $273,573 $22,559 $296,132 —
Lisa Chick Afe President $245,000 $43,890 $288,890 —
Mel Clark Ctaw Executive Director $227,722 $21,110 $248,832 —
Lars Erickson SVP Of Public Affairs & Comms $177,969 $21,235 $199,204 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$1.0M

Total Forgiven

$1.1M

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

60

Loan Details 1 loan

$1,041,929
Forgiven
Forgiven: $1,052,719 100%
Approved Jan 28, 2021
Lender KeyBank National Association
Jobs Reported 60
Forgiven On Mar 8, 2022

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$218K Grants Received
$390K Grants Given
5 Organizations

Top Funders

1 total
CF
Center For Community Service Fund
$218K

Top Grantees

4 total
AF
Alliance For Education SEATTLE, WA
$222K
WF
Washington Filmworks SEATTLE, WA
$74K
LT
Leadership Tomorrow SEATTLE, WA
$53K
WC
Washington Clean Technology Alliance SEATTLE, WA
$42K
Center For Community Service Fund Alliance For Education Washington Filmworks Leadership Tomorrow Washington Clean Technology Alliance
Center For Community Service Fund Alliance For Education Washington Filmworks Leadership Tomorrow Washington Clean Technology Alliance

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Related Organizations

2 affiliated entities reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

2

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

2
Center For Community Service Fund
Seattle, WA
Provide Support For Community Service Programs
501(c) 501(C)(3)
Business Health Trust
Mukilteo, WA
Employee Benefits
501(c) 501(C)(9)

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule R (Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships)

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying
1 Registrations
1 Client
Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 1 total

Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Of Commerce Fka Greater Seattle Chamber Of Commerce
1 filing
Self

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with Greater Seattle Chamber Of Commerce

Phone

(206) 389-7214

Social

Visit Website
1301 5th Ave 1500 Seattle, WA 981012611