The nomination for the International Special Review Region (ISRD) Committee election ended on November 2 and nine candidates were nominated. Five board positions are available for election:
Ranked number one for business owners, owners or employees
Ryan B Gilbert
Ryan B. Gilbert is the Chief Operating Officer of the Seattle Indian Health Council, an indigenous community health center in the International District (CID) of Chinatown. He believes that it is very important to participate in the important work proposed by the ISRD committee.
No. 2 among residents, tenants or community participants
Matt Chen
Matt Chan is currently a member of the ISRD board and is interested in a second term. He has worked and volunteered for many organizations and non-profit organizations, including CISC, ICHS, International Examiner, InterimCDA and Wing Luke. He is committed to ensuring that CID continues to be a place where all Asian Americans can celebrate and respect their culture.
Ming Zhang
Ming Zhang is an architect who has worked with three community organizations to raise funds and assist in the design and construction of Chinatown gates. He is also a participant in the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce activities. By serving on the board of directors, he hopes to make more contributions and make the community a better and more proud place for everyone.
No. 3 for business owners, business owners or employees
Brian Chin
Brian Chinn is an owner whose family relationship with the community can be traced back four generations. He strongly hopes to help guide future development in a way that preserves its cultural identity and makes it economically viable.
Michael Le
Michael Le and his family own multiple businesses at CID. He hopes to see policies that respond to urban development, help employees and customers feel safe while enjoying CID, solve the homelessness crisis, and protect culture.
4th among residents, tenants or community participants
Dean Kumiko Ninja Kumina Kubota
Dean Kumiko Ninja Kawena Kubota is a resident of CID, and he hopes to bring his knowledge of and passion for the community to the board of directors. He is passionate about protecting communities and providing them with the tools they need to protect themselves. He has extensive experience in housing, disability and transgender activism, and is passionate about historical restoration, protection, and the rights of the elderly.
Andy Ye
Andy Yip has held leadership positions in organizations such as the Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Greater China Hong Kong Business Association in Washington, the International Council of Examiners, the ICHS Foundation and the Seniors in Action. He currently serves on the ISRD Board of Directors as the Vice Chairman. He wants to serve another term to support the community.
Ranked 5th in general membership
In the off
Nella Kwan has been a volunteer with the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce since 2013. She is a board member of Kin On, a representative of Seafair, and a member of Asia Pacific Islander Tradition Month in Seattle Center. She sees CID as her second home and hopes to apply her knowledge, understanding of the community, and impartial insights and opinions to her work with the ISRD board.
Ask Wu
Tanya Woo is currently a member of the ISRD Board of Directors and she hopes to inherit her family’s long tradition of serving the community. For the past 10 years, she has been working on rebuilding the Louisa Hotel owned by her family. She recognizes the importance of respecting the past while helping to make historic buildings useful for the future.
The particularity of CID is recognized and protected by the “City Regulations”. The ISRD Committee was established in 1973 to preserve, protect and promote the cultural, economic and historical qualities of the region. Due to the continuing impact of COVID-19 and ongoing public health issues, the 2021 election will only be held by mail voting. There will be no personal voting.
The Seattle Bureau of Community Affairs must receive votes by November 30. Community members who register for this election will receive ballots and a stamped envelope with a return address by mail.
