Update (May 28, 2026)
Quynh Pham was officially confirmed as the next Director of Department of Neighborhoods by a unanimous vote of the Seattle City Council on May 19, 2026. Over the course of the confirmation process, many community members showed up to provide public comment in support of Quynh’s nomination.
Quynh Pham is a deeply respected community leader who truly understands how government can partner with people to strengthen neighborhoods and build trust. Throughout her career, she has consistently brought people together to advocate for the places they call home, preserve cultural identity, and shape solutions rooted in community priorities. I’m excited to have her leading the Department of Neighborhoods. Her leadership will help us continue building a Seattle where every community feels connected, supported, and empowered to influence the future of our city.
-Mayor Katie Wilson
I am deeply honored to be confirmed as the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods. My journey in community work has shaped who I am — teaching me to listen deeply, build trust, and bring people together across differences. It has shown how collective action can transform not just neighborhoods, but lives. My vision for the department is firmly rooted in DON’s mission, but with an intentional focus on action, impact, and possibility. Together, I believe we can harness our collective social capital to move the City’s most urgent priorities forward in a way that is community-led. In the years ahead, I envision DON becoming Seattle’s hub for community-powered governance: anticipating neighborhood needs, strengthening civic belonging, and building equitable, scalable systems that ensure every resident has a meaningful voice in shaping our city’s future.
-Director Quynh Pham
Original Post (March 20, 2026)
In 2012, Quynh Pham joined the very first cohort of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ People’s Academy for Community Engagement (PACE), a program designed to help community members understand how city government works and how to navigate it to create change. More than a decade later, she returns to the department in a new role: Director.
It’s a full-circle moment that reflects the true spirit of the Department of Neighborhoods itself. When community members are given the tools, access, and support to lead, they don’t just participate in government, they help shape it.
As the department celebrates is 35th anniversary this year, Quynh’s story is a powerful reminder of what has always been at the heart of the Department of Neighborhoods: investing in people, supporting community leadership, and building stronger connections between residents and their city government.
Quynh brings more than 14 years of experience in community development, local policy, and equitable investment. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of Friends of Little Saigon, where she championed the cultural and economic vitality of one of Seattle’s more iconic neighborhoods while advocating for small businesses and community-led initiatives.
Throughout her career, Quynh has focused on strengthening neighborhoods by investing in the people who know them best. Her work has advanced BIPOC-led initiatives and supported culturally rooted community development across the city. She also serves on the boards of Historic South Downtown and the Crescent Collaborative, collaborating with community leaders working to shape Seattle’s future.
A first-generation immigrant and mother of two, Quynh brings both personal perspective and professional experience to her leadership. She is driven by a commitment to building a culturally rich, welcoming, and accessible city for the next generation.
As the Department of Neighborhoods marks 35 years of community partnership, we are excited to welcome Director Pham and look forward to the next chapter of connecting people, strenghthening neighhorhoods, and ensuring residents have a voice in policy making and decisions that impact Seattle communities.
Do you have an upcoming community event in which you would like to invite Director Pham (like, for Neighbor Day, perhaps)? Email Iona.McKenzie@seattle.gov to inquire about availability and start planning today!
