PRESIDENT

Alison is an artist/designer/writer and 30-year Magnolia resident. She enjoys the natural beauty of Discovery Park and the friendly neighborhood. She is focused on improving communication, diversity and support for the council and community. She recently produced a new children’s book, Catastrophe by the Sea, in partnership with the Seattle Aquarium, to raise awareness and inspire empathy for the marine environment.

CO VICE PRESIDENT

Erle Cohen is a life long resident of Magnolia. He is a member of the MCC's Land Use and Public Safety Committees. He is also a board member of the Alliance for Education and a member of the SPD's West Precinct Advisory Council. Erle is a graduate of Seattle Public Schools, American University and holds an advanced degree from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Prior to his retirement at the end of 2019, he was the Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer for a Seattle Intellectual Property law firm. He has always been interested in local and national civic affairs, having been an intern at the Seattle City Council and a legislative assistant to former U.S. Congressman Joel Pritchard of Seattle.

CO VICE PRESIDENT

Magnolia resident for 30 years, Leslie would like to see Magnolia’s beauty protected while also encouraging the development of a vibrant, active community. He launched the Magnolia Trail Community to promote the development of a trail connecting Magnolia Village more directly to a citywide network of trails. He is a former reporter for Business Week and the Los Angeles Times, and former editor of Seattle Business magazine.

COMMUNICATIONS

Born and raised in Seattle, Amy has lived in Magnolia for over 10 years with her husband and daughter. Amy had a successful career as a sales and marketing director, before leaving the industry to spend more time with her family and pursue new opportunities that feed her passion for community and social justice work.

Amy started Magnolia Weaving Co. to sell her handmade woven wall-hangings. In addition to running a small business, Amy serves on multiple non-profit boards that support causes important to her and her family.

Stephanie has been a resident of Magnolia for 8 years since relocating with her family from Nevada. She recently served as President of the Magnolia Community Council, and currently serves as a member of the NAC (Neighborhood Advisory Committee) with the Port of Seattle, and previously served as a board member for the Magnolia Elementary PTA. Stephanie works as a trial attorney for a busy regional firm with deep roots in the Pacific Northwest, and enjoys spending time with her husband, three kids and elderly dog in her spare time.

Carol, a retired community college instructor who taught biology and botany for 30 years. A long-time Magnolia resident and Magnolia Community Council trustee, she served in 2015 as the MCC’s president. She has also worked with the Magnolia/Queen Anne District Council; the Heron Habitat Helpers; the Friends of Magnolia Manor Park, the Friends of Smith Cove Park and the Green Seattle Partnership.

Bruce has served as chair of the Magnolia/Queen Anne District Council; commissioner of the Seattle Ethics & Election Commission; board member of the Magnolia Community Council; chair of the Municipal League of King County; judge pro tem of the Seattle Municipal Court (2001-2010); and assistant United States Attorney. He has lived in Magnolia for more than 50 years.

Stephen was born in Magnolia and attended Magnolia Grade School and Queen Anne High School. In 2008 he and his wife moved back to Magnolia. Stephen was elected to the MCC Board in 2009 and served as President in 2012-2013. He is committed to the MCC mission of monitoring private and governmental activities in issues such as transportation, up zoning, and Fort Lawton, that affect the quality of life in Magnolia.

Stephen is a graduate of Yale and Harvard Law School. He has served as a member of the Board of Governors and as President of the Washington State Bar Association, and similar positions with the King County Bar Association. As chair of the Planning and Allocations Committee of United Way of King County, he served on its Executive Committee and Board. An environmentalist, he was a board member and chair of the Washington chapter of The Nature Conservancy. He is committed to maintaining the integrity of Discovery Park as a place where everyone can enjoy a quiet, natural environment.

Bill Dunbar and his wife Nancy have lived in Magnolia since 2000, and their three children attended Blaine through 8th grade. In addition to coaching for 13 years, Bill served as vice president of Magnolia Little League in the early 2000s.

Bill has spent 20 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, specializing in strategic communications, media relations, and emergency response. Bill has also served as communications director for former Congresswoman Jolene Unsoeld, Washington public affairs director for the Northwest Power Planning Council, state director for U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, and director of government relations for Pyramid Communications.

Bill previously served on the boards of Seattle City Club, Behind the Badge Foundation, PNW Pollution Prevention Resource Center (president of the board), and Climate Solutions (founding board member).

Kim, originally from Michigan, has been a resident of Magnolia for over 12 years, where she lives with her husband, two kids and golden lab, Gracie. After working as a Chemical Engineer in Marketing and Sales for years, she opened barre3 fitness studio in Ballard over eight years ago and loves all the day to day opportunities that being a small business owner brings. Kim is increasingly active in the Catharine Blaine PTA, this year serving as Co-President, as well as helping to lead advocacy efforts on better funding for Seattle Public Schools. She is excited to become a part of the MCC and help foster more liaisons within the community. In her spare time, she loves going on walks, shopping at Home Goods, playing pickleball and tap dancing.

David, a long-time resident of Magnolia, has served as Pacific Northwest Regional Vice-Chair of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and as commissioner for the Bumbershoot Music and Art Festival. He received the B’nai B’rith Community Service Award. He has served in his industry on the Consumer Technology Association’s Small Business Council and Smart Home Division Board, has mentored startups and judged the CES Innovations Awards.

Jane Anne was born in the Midwest and relocated to Seattle in 2000. As an HR Executive within the technology and visual content industries, she gained international experience moving abroad in 2006.  Returning to Seattle eleven years ago, she found a home in Magnolia, captivated by its strong sense of community.
Dedicated to serving her neighborhood, Jane Anne actively participates in local initiatives and is always seeking opportunities to give back. Her two children are proud Blaine Tigers, further deepening her connection to the Magnolia community.

Matthew, a Realtor with Compass Real Estate, is pleased to call Magnolia home. He enjoys warm friendships with Magnolia’s merchants, residents and community leaders. He believes in educating and empowering the Magnolia community about the opportunities and challenges ahead, with a strong desire to see Magnolia remain a friendly and desirable place for people to live.

Emily moved to Magnolia in 2010 from Chicago and lives here with her husband, two sons and one energetic puppy. She served on the Executive Board for the Magnolia Cooperative Preschool for four years in the capacity of VP Personnel, as well as an additional two years on the General Board. Emily also helped found the Magnolia Elementary School PTA and served for three additional years in the role of Community Outreach. Emily has a passion for pitching in and helping out and is especially motivated around issues of food insecurity and public education.

Brad is a long-time resident of Magnolia/Queen Anne and came to live in Magnolia after years of biking and walking in the neighborhood. Brad is inspired by Magnolia’s legacy of parks, boulevards, and local businesses and is interested in how our community meets the future. Regional and citywide initiatives in transportation infrastructure, housing solutions and economic development shape the options facing Magnolia/Interbay and create the opportunity to include the many voices of our community. Brad believes the MCC provides a valuable space to foster awareness, discussion, and action on these issues of the day.

A founding partner of Miller Hayashi Architects, Brad worked with communities and public agencies to bring civic improvements including libraries, schools, community centers and public safety facilities to Seattle and the region.

As a disability rights advocate, I drive systemic change through key leadership roles in government and nonprofits. On NAMI Washington's governance committee, I help shape equitable policies to support mental health advocacy. Separately, I serve on King County's Elections Disability Advisory Committee, working to ensure accessible voting processes for all residents. Through my consulting work with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, I advance inclusion in film, while my position on the WA Department of Fish & Wildlife's advisory committee promotes accessibility reforms in outdoor recreation. Drawing on my background as a Navy veteran with an MBA and engineering experience, I bring analytical expertise to advocacy work in my Magnolia community. My dedication to protecting marginalized communities' rights reflects my commitment to creating lasting positive change through collaborative leadership to disability advocacy in the Magnolia community and beyond.

Kurt, a Magnolia resident since 1993, is a consultant specializing in optimizing energy-efficiency in commercial lighting and lighting control systems. He previously ran the Lighting Design Lab for Seattle City Light and has over 20 years of experience in executive roles with utilities and electrical and-lighting contractors. Before entering the lighting industry, Kurt held management roles in marketing and operations with companies in the Seattle area. Kurt has a BA in history from the University of Washington and an MBA from Indiana University.

Kurt has deep ties to Magnolia. His mother was raised in the neighborhood where she was a member of the first graduating class from Blaine Junior High School. His grandfather was Lowery ‘Pop’ Mounger, the namesake for Magnolia’s outdoor public swimming pool. While Kurt and his wife, Sandy, raised their three sons in the neighborhood, he was an active leader in the local Boy Scouts of America Pack 80 and Troop 80, and served as a coach for Magnolia Soccer Club youth league.

Don has served with Magnolia Community Council since 2020. Don grew up in the Philippines and is a graduate of the University of Washington (History) and the Foster School of Business (MBA).  He recently retired as Chief Financial Officer of a local biotech company and previously held positions in finance with King Broadcasting Company as well as with various local technology companies.  He has worked with local (Casa Latina, Business Impact NW, Plymouth Investment Committee) and internationally-oriented (MicroEnergy Credits, Global Partnerships, Global Visionaries) non-profits. He currently serves on the Board of Friends of Discovery Park and has interests in transportation, environment, and land-use.  Don and his wife Deb have lived in Magnolia since the early 1980s.

Scott Surdyke is a development manager and consultant who has been involved in mixed-use and multifamily projects for over 20 years. Scott served for four years on the Seattle Design Review Board for Northwest Seattle. He regularly volunteers for the Urban Land Institute (ULI) at the University of Washington, and writes occasional articles on urban development for the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. Scott has been a resident of Magnolia for 26 years.

Janis has had careers ranging from international consulting and management of clinical trials of investigational drugs to Chef Proprietor of Seattle’s first carry-home cuisine business. She has always been engaged and passionate about civics, Democratic politics, policy, and community organizing. She has served on the Magnolia Bridge Design Advisory Group and the Community Advisory Group for the Interbay-Ballard segment of ST3, and manages communications on Magnolia’s vital transportation and infrastructure issues in order to inform, engage, and inspire advocacy for our community. In her spare time, she develops Jancakes and Mixes for the Lazy Gourmet recipes, is writing a second cookbook as a love letter to her son, and wishes she could play bridge regularly.