Throughout the span of their careers, one thing has remained steadfast for both Department of Neighborhoods (DON), Director Quynh Pham and Deputy Director Cuc Vu; community empowerment. From leading local non-profits to work with labor unions and supporting immigrant and refugees, their dedication to building a culturally rich, welcoming, and… [ Keep reading ]
The scene couldn’t have been more idyllic. The golden hour sunset spreading across Capitol Hill. Autumn leaves gently falling on rainbow crosswalks. The sound of excited reunions and 90s music echoing out the doors of the Vermillion art gallery as current staff and former employees of Department of Neighborhoods (DON)… [ Keep reading ]
We recently caught up with Francesca Murnan (Shawnee and Cherokee), former Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) Liaison for the Department of Neighborhoods (DON) who now serves as the Tribal Relations Director at the Office of Intergovernmental Relations. Learn more about what drew Francesca to DON, her role in launching the IAC,… [ Keep reading ]
On August 18, community members and City officials, past and present, filled the Seattle City Council Chambers to celebrate the official proclamation of Allynn Ruth Day, honoring her 51 years of public service at the City of Seattle. Allynn grew up in Yesler Terrace and is a proud graduate of… [ Keep reading ]
We are excited to welcome Cuc Vu as the new Deputy Director of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. Cuc brings decades of leadership, advocacy, and public service experience to the role. A refugee from Vietnam who arrived in Washington state with her family in 1975, she has spent her career building… [ Keep reading ]
Stanley Tsao joined the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods staff as the Community Liaison Program Manager in April 2019. However, prior to officially joining the staff, he served as a Community Liaison himself, supporting various projects in multiple City departments. Stanley grew up in Hong Kong and moved to Vancouver, Canada… [ Keep reading ]
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… [ Keep reading ]
UPCOMING COMMUNITY MEETINGS updated 7.28.2026 Community members are invited to join the Seattle Police Department and Seattle Department of Neighbors for the next Our City, Our Safety meeting of 2026. Learn about all upcoming events on our website. These meetings are an opportunity to share your thoughts and concerns about… [ Keep reading ]
Kolbi Monasmith joined the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods as the new Indigenous Advisory Council Liaison in January 2026. She is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, though she grew up in the Seattle area. Kolbi attended Seattle Central College and the University of Washington studying Political Science, Human… [ Keep reading ]
The start of a new year serves as both a time of reflection and an opportunity to set goals and plan for the future. As we look back on the past three years at Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON), one word rises above all others: connection. Our staff has served… [ Keep reading ]
