By Kathy Solberg / Herald Forum
As the Emerging Leaders Snohomish County Awards celebrates its 10th anniversary, it’s a moment to reflect on not just the program’s evolution, but the very nature of leadership itself.
When we founded this initiative a decade ago, our vision was simple yet profound: to recognize the under-40 talent shaping our region’s future while our attention was often fixed on an aging workforce.
The program has endured through unprecedented global changes. None of us who gathered in that first year could have predicted the transformations our world would experience by 2025. Yet through economic shifts, a global pandemic, and societal reckonings, the program has continued to spotlight those crafting innovative solutions and building communities with intention.
The unlikely lessons of leadership: What makes this milestone particularly meaningful is not just the longevity of the program but the wisdom collected from a decade of emerging leaders. Their insights challenge conventional leadership paradigms and offer fresh perspectives on what it means to guide others in today’s complex landscape.
Staying curious: Perhaps the most consistent theme among our honorees has been the transformational power of curiosity. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers but asking the right questions; flipping over those “metaphorical stones too heavy for us to lift by ourselves” to address organizational foundations that may need strengthening. This curiosity extends to policy changes, communication norms, and the repair of long-festering harms.
Building new tables: As past honoree Heidi Schuable eloquently shared, leadership thinking has evolved beyond merely seeking “a seat at the table.” True innovation comes from questioning whether the existing tables serve everyone. “Sometimes,” she notes, “the solution isn’t an invitation to the table; it’s creating something entirely different” that centers voices historically excluded from decision-making spaces and embodies the principle that nothing should be decided about people without their participation.
Breaking the mold: Joel Taylor reminds us that effective leadership means valuing how we make others feel. “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” he quotes from Maya Angelou. In a diverse community, leadership means creating spaces where different perspectives aren’t just tolerated but celebrated; where “we can respectfully disagree and still get along” and “co-create solutions that are more effective, efficient, innovative and impactful.”
Leading with ethics: Andy Buchan emphasizes the simple but profound principle of “do the right thing.” While climbing career ladders, we often focus on short-term results at the expense of integrity and humility. Ethical leadership means considering not just immediate gains but long-term impacts on communities and organizations.
The power of community: This year has represented transition for the Emerging Leader Snohomish County award. Many past honorees, founders and community members gave their time to own a piece of this to move it forward. Sometimes the most meaningful impact comes from personal conviction. A total of 21 sponsors came forward with foundational level contribution to assure the cost were covered.
With 11 donors giving at the $500 level, it demonstrated that we are more together. The Herald, CommonUnity, Everett Downtown Storage and Tulalip Tribes all came in a Supporter level to assure this event happened. And Heritage Bank; Dewar, Meeks and Ekram; Brooklyn Brothers Pizza; Shawn O’Donnell’s and Everett Music Initiative rounded out the lot to say that leadership matters. And the leaders shaping the future of our region matter.
When CommonUnity stepped in to manage the logistical aspects of the awards program this year, it wasn’t just about maintaining a tradition. It was about affirming that recognizing emerging leadership remains essential, perhaps more than ever, as our region faces complex challenges requiring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches.
Looking forward: As we honor this year’s cohort of Emerging Leaders, we also celebrate a decade of nurturing the ecosystem of talent that will guide Snohomish County through its next chapter. The program itself continues to evolve, just as our understanding of leadership does.
True to the spirit of the program, we remain curious about what leadership will look like in the next decade. We continue building tables where diverse voices shape our collective future. We break molds of conventional thinking. And we strive to lead with ethics that prioritize community well-being over short-term gains.
The Emerging Leaders program has never been about simply identifying talent. It’s about cultivating a regional culture that values fresh perspectives, embraces change and remains committed to building a community where everyone can thrive.
As we look toward the next decade, we remain dedicated to this vision: recognizing that the future of our region depends not just on the leaders we celebrate today, but on our collective commitment to nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.
Kathy Solberg leads a consulting business, CommonUnity. Learn more at www.commonunity-us.com.
2025 Emerging Leaders
Please join us from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 at APEX Everett, 1611 Everett Ave., Everett, to celebrate the 2025 Emerging Leaders. The event is free of charge. It is right on your way home from work! We would love you to join us! Follow the link to register, and I hope to see you there! Register at tinyurl.com/EmergingLeaders2025
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