Alliance for Pioneer Square Announces New Executive Director

Lisa Dixon Howard will assume leadership of the organization

We are pleased to announce the selection of Lisa Dixon Howard as our new Executive Director. Lisa will fill the vacancy created by Leslie Smith’s departure in January to join Vulcan Inc. as their Public Policy Director of Government & Community Relations. Lisa has most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer for the past 3 years.

“The Transition Committee discussed and debated what lies ahead for the organization and what type of leadership is needed to guide us successfully through those challenges, explained Ryan Smith, Co-Chair of the Alliance Board of Directors. “I’m pleased to report that we came to unanimous agreement, in that the leadership we currently need resides within the organization with our current COO, Lisa Howard. Lisa’s deep knowledge of the neighborhood and strong network will serve her well in this new role.”

Lisa holds a Masters of Business Administration through the University of Washington – Michael G. Foster School of Business. She has been active in helping to shape the environment of downtown Seattle for the last decade, with experience in strategic planning, management, problem solving, and operations. She previously served as the Interim Executive Director of an early precursor to the Alliance for Pioneer Square, and currently serves as a board member for the Friends of the Benson Trolleys.

“We are so pleased to have Lisa Howard stepping into the Executive Director role,” stated Barry Blanton, Co-Chair of the Alliance Board of Directors. “In March, Lisa will be celebrating her 10th Anniversary with the Alliance, and the organization couldn’t be in better hands as we move forward.”