Tod Leiweke
A capacity crowd is expected on May 16 when Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke is honored as the 86th Seattle King County First Citizen. Three speakers and some past recipients of the prestigious award will be among those celebrating a leader one colleague says “makes miracles happen.”
A few tickets remain for the civic banquet at The Westin Bellevue. The event, scheduled from 5:30-8:30 pm, includes dinner preceded by a no-host reception. Held annually since 1939, the event commemorates community leadership, volunteers and civic engagement.
Reservations may be made online or by calling Seattle King County Realtors (SKCR) at 425-974-1015.
Guest speakers at this year’s First Citizen banquet include Jay Deutsch, CEO and co-founder, BDA, Inc.; Mari Horita, Seattle Kraken senior VP, Foundation; DEI & Government Relations; and Gary Wright, consultant, World Cup Organization Committee and former Seattle Seahawks executive.
Kraken team broadcaster Everett Fitzhugh will serve as master of ceremonies. Michael Orbino, SKCR’s 2024 president, will present the First Citizen Award.
Also part of the evening’s festivities will be recognition of more than two dozen recipients of Seattle King County First Citizen Foundation scholarships. Among criteria for the scholarships are good citizenship and involvement in community service in the spirit of the First Citizen Award. In honor of “their dear friend and former CEO,” the Tampa Bay Lightning donated $10,000 to the scholarship fund. Leiweke was CEO there from 2010-2015.
Broker Michele Liang, chair of the First Citizen Committee, said Leiweke “exemplifies being an inspiring mentor, devoted volunteer, and accomplished business executive,” adding “We’re thrilled to honor and thank this exceptionally deserving and generous philanthropist and community leader.”
About the First Citizen Award: The Seattle King County First Citizen Award salutes “giving back” whether by “time, treasure or talent” and civic engagement that enhances the region’s quality of life. Past recipients hail from both the public and private sectors, ranging from humanitarian groups, corporations, charitable, health and educational institutions, to various arts, environmental, and civic organizations. Recent honorees include former Seattle Storm standout player and community advocate Sue Bird (2023), Mary’s Place (2022), and Dr. Ben Danielson, pediatrician and community advocate (2021).
Since its inception in 1939, the First Citizen Award, believed to be this region’s oldest such recognition, continues to celebrate community leadership, volunteerism, and public service.
The civic banquet to honor the annual recipients is a not-for-profit celebration of civic engagement presented by Seattle King County Realtors® in partnership with Zillow and Windermere Real Estate, plus gold event sponsors BDA, Oak View Group, and Seattle Kraken Team Store. Other sponsors include signature sponsors COMPASS, First American Title and Helsell Fetterman. Cascade PBS is the media sponsor, Tinte Cellars is the wine sponsor and Stone Insulation is the reception sponsor.
About the Seattle King County REALTORS®: The Seattle King County Realtors® is a nonprofit professional trade association whose goals include promoting ethical business practices and supporting policies that preserve and expand real property rights and housing affordability. Based in Bellevue, SKCR has more than 6,500 members and is a local board of the National Association of Realtors®. The term Realtor® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.