Jenny Li and Tomio Moriguchi, Andrea Akita, and Sue Taoka at the Interim Gala.
Interim Community Development Association celebrated its 45th anniversary with a Sapphire Gala on April 12 at the Seattle Mariott. The event raised $130,000.
During the gala, Interim announced that Andrea Akita is the organization’s new executive director.
Akita has more than 20 years experience working to end homelessness and help build culturally rich communities. She earned her master’s degrees from UCLA in urban & regional planning and public administration. She also has a degree in culinary arts from Seattle Culinary Academy.
At the gala, Sue Taoka was given the “Bob Santos Leadership in Sustainability Award.” She is an executive vice president at Craft3. She has worked at the International District Improvement Association, SCIDpda, and Interim. She was also deputy chief of staff for Mayor Norm Rice.
Tomio Moriguchi, chairman of the board of Uwajimaya, was given the “Distinguished Service Award.” He was a founding member of the International District Improvement Association. (end)