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.

TREASURER

Born and raised in Argentina, Ezequiel has lived in the US for more than 20 years and in Magnolia for the last 8. Ezequiel holds an Industrial Engineering degree from the University of Buenos Aires and an MBA from Duke University. He has worked in finance for large technology companies for about 20 years, where he has participated and led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. Ezequiel enjoys spending time with his family, running in Magnolia and going for walks in Discovery Park with his wife and son who attends Lawton Elementary.

SECRETARY

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.

Gustavo joined the Magnolia community in 2021, bringing 10+ years of experience in community service primarily within childhood education. With professional experiences centered on operations and workforce management consulting, he received an MBA from the University of Michigan and is now a Product Manager with Walmart. Gustavo's strong affinity with Magnolia quickly grew from his enthusiasm for frequent runs in Discovery Park and visits to the Saturday market in downtown Magnolia. Having just welcomed a baby girl into the world January 2023, he looks forward to helping make Magnolia a great place for her as much as for all residents to live in.

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.

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.

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.

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 as Seattle and the region continue to grow and evolve. Regional and citywide initiatives in public transportation, pedestrian and bicycle 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 creates a useful focal point to foster awareness, discussion, and action on these issues of the day.

A founding partner of Miller Hayashi Architects, Brad worked with community groups, boards and public agencies throughout his career to bring civic improvements such as libraries, schools, community centers and public safety facilities to Seattle and the region. Brad’s experience with the process of encouraging positive solutions underlies his interest in participating on the MCC Board.

A seasoned advocate dedicated to disability rights, Jayson Morris leverages prominent roles in government and nonprofits to create systemic change. As Vice-Chair of King County’s Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee, he champions accountable elections. His advisory position at the WA Department of Fish & Wildlife enables positive reforms around accessibility. Additionally, Jayson consults for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to further inclusion in film. He also helps shape equitable policies on NAMI Washington’s governance committee. A proud Magnolia resident, Navy veteran, MBA graduate, and engineer, Jayson is a widely respected catalyst mobilizing disability advocacy through his multifaceted experience. His enduring leadership serves as inspiration for protecting the dignities of marginalized communities.

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, who has lived in Magnolia for 40 years, has held finance roles at King Broadcasting. He worked in microfinance with Global Partnerships and clean energy with MicroEnergy Credits. He is Chief Financial Officer of a biotech company. He has been on the boards of Casa Latina and Business Impact Northwest and on the Plymouth Investment Committee. He is interested in transportation and land-use issues as well as parks.

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.

Dr. Lester Thompson is a retired Seattle urologist, originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. He obtained both an undergraduate and a medical degree from Indiana University in 1965 and 1968, respectively. Following two years of active duty in the US Navy, he entered a specialty training program in Wisconsin. Upon completing it in 1975, he moved to Seattle and practiced until 2012. Dr. Thompson and his wife Lori have three children and six grandchildren.

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.