About Leadership Day
Founded in 2016 with 23 official proclamations from community partners, Leadership Day was created to recognize leadership as a shared community value. Today, it brings together changemakers of every background, industry, and perspective because meaningful leadership transcends political affiliation, title, race, religion, and socioeconomic status.
Leadership Snohomish County’s 11th Annual Leadership Day
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | 7:30 A.M. | Tulalip Resort Casino
Welcome to Leadership Day 2026!
Leadership Day is not your average fundraising breakfast - it’s a high-energy celebration of the people, partnerships, and purpose powering Snohomish County forward.
Join Leadership Snohomish County for an inspiring morning of connection, recognition, and community pride as we gather leaders from across the region who share a vision for a stronger, more equitable Snohomish County.
Come celebrate extraordinary local leaders as LSC presents three distinguished awards:
The Deborah Knutson Women in Leadership Award
The LSC Community Partner Award
The LSC Distinguished Alumni Award
Expect inspiration, meaningful connections, and a room full of people committed to taking action for our community. Whether you are a longtime supporter, a local business leader, an LSC alum, or simply someone who believes in the power of bringing people together, this is the fundraising event you’ll want to be part of.
Every registration supports Leadership Snohomish County’s mission to develop informed, engaged, and compassionate leaders. Join us as we celebrate those making a difference today and help build the leadership our community needs for tomorrow.
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors:
Tulalip Tribes, Edmonds College, Ziply Fiber, Companis, Community Transit, Everett Herald.
Leadership Day Awards
Why the duck?
The rubber duck is a playful take on a leadership award. Ducks are resilient, things just roll of their backs. Also, duck feet work hard under the surface keeping the duck afloat, while appearing calm on the surface. This is very fitting for what it means to be a leader!
Distinguished Alumni Award
The recipient of the LSC Distinguished Alumni Award must be a leader among leaders and an individual that is making a difference in Snohomish County to create a stronger community for us all to work and live.
LSC Community Partner
The LSC Community Partner Award honors visionary and dedicated leaders who do extraordinary work addressing critical issues in Snohomish County.
Deborah Knutson Women in Leadership
The award is named in memory of the late longtime leader of the Snohomish County Economic Development Council, Deborah Knutson, and it promotes women in leadership roles throughout the county who share Knutson’s passion for job growth and economic development.
AWARD RECIPIENTS
Distinguished Alumni
2025 Mark Nermo
2024 Steve Woodard, Ph.D.
2023 Julio Cortes
2022 Levi Van Dyke
2021 Heather Thomas
2020 Zsofia Pazstor
2019 Seema Sharma
2018 Adrianne Wagner
2017 Vicci Hilty
2016 Chris Knapp
2015 Rebecca Hover
LSC Community Partner
2025 Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Pub
2024 VOAWW
2023 Tulalip Tribes
2022 Community Transit
2021 The Everett Clinic
2020 Everett Housing Authority
2019 Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County
2018 Premera Blue Cross
2017 Everett Community College
2016 Sno-Isle Libraries
Deborah Knutson Women in Leadership
2025 Liz Stenning, Downtown Everett Association
2024 Linda Nuenzig, Snohomish County Government
2023 Wendy Poischbeg, Economic Alliance Snohomish County
2022 Amy King, Pallet
2021 Mayor Nicola Smith, City of Lynnwood
2020 Angie Sievers, Snohomish County STEM
2019 Lisa Lefeber, Port of Everett
2018 Diane Kamionka
2017 Chairwoman Marie Zackuse, Tulalip Tribes
Your generous contributions are the cornerstone of our mission to nurture a community of authentic leaders and deliver programs that prioritize equity and foster lifelong leadership skills.
The support from our community enables us to offer our leadership programs at rates that are accessible to all, ensuring that a greater number of individuals can benefit from our initiatives. We appreciate your support!