SEED is excited to announce that Michael Seiwerath will be its next Executive Director starting February 1st! Following an extensive search, the SEED Board is pleased to have Seiwerath join the organization in this top leadership role.
“In 2020 SEED sought to find a leader who is mission driven, visionary, and shares our core values. Michael not only meets these criteria, but brings impressive skills and extensive experience in the areas of arts, real estate, and community building in Seattle,” said SEED Board President Krista Holland. “We are extremely excited to welcome Michael to SEED, and believe he will infuse new energy and leadership into the organization as we continue serving our Southeast Seattle community.”
Michael Seiwerath has two decades of experience working on affordable housing, cultural space, and community building issues in Seattle. Since 2008, he has led fund development, communications, and government relations for Community Roots Housing (formerly Capitol Hill Housing). He has served as the founding Executive Director of the Community Roots Housing Foundation, an independent nonprofit mobilizing resources for Community Roots Housing. At Community Roots, he was instrumental in the creation of the 12th Avenue Arts building as well as launching the Capitol Hill EcoDistrict, the Capitol Hill Arts District. and the $25 Million collaborative Rise Together campaign. Prior to Community Roots, as Executive Director of Northwest Film Forum, he elevated the film arts organization to a position of national prominence and led the development of its current home.
Seiwerath has served on the Seattle Arts Commission (chair), Washington Low Income Housing Alliance State Legislative Committee, Seattle Asian Art Museum Community Advisory Group, and the Cal Anderson Park Alliance Advisory Council. He has written about affordable space issues for the American Institute of Architects Seattle, Arcade Magazine, and CityArts Magazine.
“SEED is an absolutely vital organization working at the intersection of affordable housing, arts, and economic development. As we enter the second year of the pandemic, SEED’s work in Southeast Seattle has never been more important,” says Seiwerath. “SEED will continue to serve the community as we recover from this inequitable crisis.”
“I am honored to be able to work alongside the board, staff, and partners at SEED,” continues Seiwerath. “I approach this work with humility, in service of building a more just Seattle.”
“Seattle, as a whole, is facing a huge transition. South Seattle, particularly, has seen a lot of development, good and bad. SEED/SEEDArts has been a major player in a lot of that change and has been in position to be an incredible force for good,” said Benjamin Hunter, a Southeast Seattle musician, small business owner, and community development consultant. “With Michael coming on board, there is a wonderful opportunity to bolster that position, as he has championed efforts in affordable housing and arts & cultural development for years! I look forward to working with him more closely.”
Join us in welcoming Michael Seiwerath to SEED!
Photo by Kelly O