Joy Shigaki (courtesy of Friends of the Seattle Waterfront)
Joy Shigaki has been named the new president and CEO of Friends of the Seattle Waterfront, the organization announced on September 13.
She most recently served as campaign director to build the new Presidio Tunnel Tops park, part of San Francisco’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area, at a cost of $98 million.
“The new Waterfront Park is a tribute to the people, landscape and heritage that define Seattle,” said Shigaki. “I am honored to lead Friends of the Seattle Waterfront to help reactivate our city’s shoreline, energize downtown Seattle, and create a vibrant, inclusive new public space for people to come together, be with each other and Create new connections with our natural environment. It will be a space centered around community, belonging, safety and happiness.”
Shigaki brings new impetus to Friends of Seattle’s Waterfront at a big time for the organization, with park construction well underway, the Waterfront Park movement recently surpassing half of its $100 million mark, and Friends’ programs at Pier 62 as visitors and locals People return to the city center.
A fourth-generation Seattle native, Shigaki grew up in Seattle’s parks and surrounding areas.
She previously served as the capital campaign manager for the Wing Luke Museum, creating the first permanent residence.
