Alumni Story: Martha Choe, Leadership Tomorrow (Seattle)
Martha Choe
Former Seattle City Council Member and Director of Community, Economic Development, and International Trade, State of Washington; former Chief Administrative Officer of the Gates Foundation; and now Principal at MC CHOE LLC
Program: Leadership Tomorrow, 1984 (Seattle, Washington)
For Martha Choe, joining the inaugural class of Leadership Tomorrow (LT) in Seattle in 1984 marked the beginning of a journey that would shape her career and community impact for decades. As a young leader, she entered the program with few expectations but quickly found herself immersed in an experience that forged deep connections, challenged her thinking, and ignited a commitment to lead across differences.
“We were the beta test,” Martha recalls with a laugh. “An early mishap in the program — the infamous Sun Mountain Retreat — unexpectedly created a strong bond among everyone. It became a shared experience that served as a kind of glue for us.” This sense of camaraderie laid the foundation for Martha's relational approach to leadership: one based on trust, openness to diverse perspectives, and a willingness to engage in constructive conflict.
Impact Story: A Vision for Downtown Seattle
One of the most significant experiences during her time in LT was the "lab project," which focused on envisioning a livelier, more vibrant downtown Seattle. In 1984, downtown Seattle was relatively quiet and lacked the energy of a thriving urban core. Martha's team set out to explore what it would take to transform Seattle into a 24-hour city — a place where people would live, work, and play at all hours.
Her team conducted extensive research, interviewing national experts in retail and housing to identify the key components of a bustling downtown. They discovered that a mix of housing types, particularly middle-income housing, was essential for a sustainable urban community. A strong retail core, anchored by at least three flagship stores, would generate the foot traffic needed to support smaller businesses and maintain public safety.
“We created a vision for a more vibrant downtown Seattle, not a specific blueprint,” Martha explains. “Little did I know how critical this research would become eight years later when I was elected to the Seattle City Council!” At that time, downtown Seattle faced significant challenges due to a recession and the collapse of major retail players. Mayor Norm Rice launched a public-private initiative to revitalize the city center, and Martha found herself at the center of these efforts.
Applying Leadership Lessons in Government
Martha reflects, “The project we worked on during LT gave us a shared understanding of what a vibrant downtown needed to thrive.” Her LT colleague, Bob Watt, became Deputy Mayor, and they leveraged the knowledge gained during LT to develop a strategic plan for revitalizing the downtown area. “I sponsored and championed the legislation enabling this public-private partnership to move forward. Shortly after we passed the legislation, an initiative to overturn it qualified for the ballot. Fortunately, it was defeated, but it was a close call.”
The collaborative and community-focused approach Martha honed through LT proved invaluable in navigating the complexities of urban governance. The experience helped her develop greater confidence in disagreeing constructively, finding common ground, and building consensus. Her work on the city council exemplified how the lessons from LT extended beyond the classroom and into the heart of her civic leadership.
Unexpected Outcomes and Enduring Connections
Beyond policy, the relationships Martha formed during LT were instrumental throughout her career. “Bob Watt, my lab group colleague in LT, became a trusted partner and friend,” she shares. “We worked closely together to save downtown Seattle, and later, when I served as Director of Community, Economic Development, and International Trade under Governor Gary Locke, our paths crossed again.”
Bob Watt, then Vice President of Government Relations for Boeing, played a pivotal role when Washington State was competing to secure the final assembly plant for the Boeing 787. Martha led the cross-departmental team for the state, and her relationship with Bob was instrumental in winning the competition. “Bob was number one on my speed dial,” Martha recalls. “We had a foundation of mutual respect and trust built through LT, and that relationship made a huge difference during that critical time.”
The impact of LT extended beyond professional connections. “I’ve made friendships that endure to this day,” Martha says. “My goddaughter is the daughter of one of my LT colleagues, and my roommate at the mid-year retreat remains one of my dearest friends. These relationships are all bonuses above and beyond what I learned from LT about leadership and community.”
Why LT Still Matters Today
Martha emphasizes that LT’s values are more crucial than ever. “Now, more than ever, we need leaders who understand the complex issues facing our community and who are committed to the values that LT embodies,” she asserts. “LT dives headlong into the most pressing issues: affordable housing, environmental sustainability, equitable education. It brings together diverse leaders to grapple with real-world problems and find strategies to address them.”
For Martha, LT was a catalyst for growth, helping her develop confidence in conflict resolution, humility, and an openness to diverse perspectives. “Leaders are works in progress,” she reflects. “LT challenges you to learn who you are, what you believe in, and how you want to lead. It’s about more than just developing skills; it’s about becoming the kind of leader your community needs.”
Advice for Future Leaders
When asked what she would say to someone considering LT, Martha is enthusiastic. “Go for it,” she encourages. “The program pushes you out of your comfort zone, connects you with incredible people, and equips you with the tools to make a real impact. The friendships, the learning, and the growth you experience are invaluable. You never know where these connections and insights will lead — they could shape your entire career and community involvement, just as they did for me.”
Martha Choe's story illustrates the transformative power of leading across differences. By fostering relationships, embracing diverse perspectives, and developing conflict resolution skills, she has made a lasting impact on her community and beyond, demonstrating how community leadership programs can create positive change at every level.
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