People of SU

President Peñalver and Alumni Among 100 Influential Business People in Washington

Written by Allison Nitch

November 15, 2021

First line reads "Puget Sound Business Journal Presents". Second line reads "Power 100" alongside a large 100 graphic.

Image credit: Puget Sound Business Journal

Puget Sound Business Journal recognizes Seattle University President Eduardo Peñalver and SU alumni in its annual list of influential Washington state leaders.

Puget Sound Business Journal (PSBJ) recently released its 2021 list of power brokers, newsmakers, influencers and luminaries. Along with well-known names in tech, PSBJ includes coalitions, nonprofits and foundations. Seattle University President Eduardo Peñalver is included among the Power 100 list of distinguished individuals.

Since his official July start date as Seattle University’s 22nd President following the retirement of Stephen Sundborg, S.J., Peñalver has hit the ground running by establishing relationships both on campus and among community leaders in the greater Seattle area.

With a focus on the Reignite Strategic Directions process, Peñalver is leading the university in reimagining SU’s curriculum over the next two years, “…with an eye toward making climate change and sustainability central features of the Seattle University educational experience,” as stated in a recent letter to students, faculty and staff.

Prior to being named SU’s first lay president, Peñalver served as the dean of Cornell University’s Law School from 2014 until 2021. He is a Rhodes Scholar and a professor of law who clerked for former U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. Peñalver received his bachelor’s from Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences in 1994 and his law degree from Yale Law School in 1999. As a Rhodes Scholar, he received his Master of Arts in Philosophy and Theology at Oriel College, Oxford.

Seattle University alumni and trustees also made the list:

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

  • Mark Tabbutt, ’91 (Law), chairman of Saltchuk Resources.

  • Phyllis Campbell, chair of JPMorgan Chase in the Pacific
    Northwest; former Trustee and honorary campaign co-chair.

  • Tod Leweicke, CEO/team president of Seattle Kraken and current Trustee.