President Sundborg Named Among 100 Influential Business People in Washington

Puget Sound Business Journal (PSBJ) recently released its list of powerful and influential leaders who have been leading Washington state businesses through the economic difficulties of 2020. Along with well-known names in tech, PSBJ made a point to include coalitions, nonprofits and foundations who have also been weathering financial hardships. Seattle U President Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J., is included among the list of 100 distinguished individuals.

During Father Sundborg’s 24 years leading the university, enrollment grew 78 percent to 7,200 students during his tenure. More than half a billion dollars in philanthropic support has been raised to strengthen Seattle U. Among his many awards over the years, he most recently received the 2019 Seattle-King County First Citizen award for community engagement and civic leadership.

Fr. Sundborg announced his retirement in Feb. 2020. 

“We are grateful and fortunate that Father Sundborg will be leading us through June 2021,” says Nicole W. Piasecki, chair of the Board of Trustees. “Most importantly, Father Sundborg has imbued our university community with a clear sense of purpose, anchored by our Jesuit Catholic tradition and a paramount commitment to putting students at the center of our shared work."

Seattle U Alumni Also on the List

Chad Mackay, ’84, owner of El Gaucho and CEO of Fire & Vine Hospitality. He also cofounded the Third Door Coalition, a solution-focused group of business leaders, service providers, researchers and others who seek to move beyond typically polarizing discussions around homelessness.

Gordon McHenry, Jr., ’79, CEO and President of the United Way of King County, former president & CEO of Seattle-based nonprofit Solid Ground and executive director of Rainier Scholars.