SODO BIA
Advocating for a safe, clean, connected and engaged SODO
A Business Improvement Area (BIA) provides a mechanism for property owners and business to collectively obtain the improvements they want to see in their district. The SODO BIA was created under the auspices of the City of Seattle in 2014. The mission of the SODO BIA is to advocate for a safe, clean, connected and engaged SODO, for the benefit of property owners, businesses, tenants, employees and patrons of the SODO district.
The SODO BIA is guided by the Ratepayer’s Advisory Board which is comprised of members representative of the varying types and sizes of business and properties throughout the neighborhood. This includes SODO business tenants, property managers, business leaders, MIC members and a Port of Seattle representative.
Over the course of the last year, we have worked to improve our critical awareness around equity and explore how – within our organizational mission – we should act to best affirm and support those most impacted by the disproportionate impacts of systemic racism.
Staff

Erin Goodman, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Erin joined the SODO BIA as the Executive Director in 2014. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of South Carolina, and has over 20 years of experience in non-profit administration, placemaking, and economic development. Erin uses her strong relationships with city leaders and key organizations to advocate for the issues that impact SODO. A Seattle native, Erin lives in the Rainier Beach neighborhood and enjoys spending time with friends and family, gardening, and always has a puzzle in progress on the dining room table.
✉︎ Contact Erin | she/her/hers

Lauren Lundberg, DEPUTY DIRECTOR
An East Coast Transplant, Lauren serves as the Deputy Director of the SODO BIA. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington. Before joining the SODO BIA, she’s worked with several Seattle based non-profits in program and campaign fundraising, advocacy, and outreach. She is eager to work with the diverse community and support businesses in creating a Clean and Safe SODO.
✉︎ Contact Lauren | she/her/hers

Ankur Garg, Program Manager, District Services
Having grown up in Washington, Ankur has always considered Seattle home. After high school, Ankur followed his desire to serve by enlisting into the US Army Reserves. Simultaneously, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice & Criminology from Washington State University. Shortly after graduating, Ankur worked in security while kick-starting his podcast. Through his podcast, he hopes to gain new perspectives, make meaningful connections, and create a platform for people making a positive impact in their communities. Now at the SODO BIA, Ankur looks forward to using his background in criminal justice and leadership experience to create a safe and clean SODO.
✉︎ Contact Ankur | he/him/his

Samantha Lake, Program Manager, District Services & Operations
A Tacoma native, Sam Lake earned her Bachelor’s in Political Science from Seattle University and has six years of environmental program management experience. In her previous role as the City of Tacoma’s Commercial Solid Waste Outreach lead, she worked with businesses and volunteers to reduce and prevent “waste out of place” through collaborative events, education, and programming. She understands how a clean and safe environment can help businesses thrive and likes to bring community engagement and continuous improvement principles to the forefront of her work. In her spare time, she serves on the Furniture Fix-It board, a nonprofit located in SODO.
✉︎ Contact Sam | she/her/hers

Janelle Ligrani, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Moving throughout the country during childhood, Janelle has always called Seattle her hometown. She holds a Bachelors degree in Communications from The University of Tampa with a heavy focus on Graphic Design. Prior to working with the SODO BIA, she gained valuable marketing experience in the Manufacturing industry, Healthcare industry, and Real Estate industry. Janelle enjoys optimizing the BIA’s marketing efforts to benefit the SODO community through improving online resources, managing the newsletter, producing videos, maintaining social media channels, advertising SODO and hosting events to name a few.
✉︎ Contact Janelle | she/her/hers

Tyler Blackwell, Transportation Planner
Originally from the Midwest, Tyler relocated to Seattle to pursue his Master of Public Administration degree at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. During his time in graduate school, he worked on a variety of transportation projects, and he completed his capstone project with Seattle Public Utilities, where he worked closely with small businesses across Seattle. Now, with his Master’s degree in hand, Tyler is excited to apply his experiences and knowledge to advance efforts to make SODO’s transportation systems clean, connected, and safe.
✉︎ Contact Tyler | he/him/his

Samantha Davis, Office Manager
Originally a military brat from the East Coast, Samantha grew up mainly in Japan and the UK. Upon graduating from Columbia College with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Sociology, she moved to Seattle with her partner for a new experience. Prior to becoming the Office Manager for SODO BIA, she worked primarily in Marketing and Office Management for the United States Air Force. She plans to begin grad school next year with the hopes of completing her Master of Social Work.
✉︎ Contact Sam | she/her/hers
Board of Directors

Todd Biesold
President
Chief Financial Officer, Merlino Foods

William Lavaris
Vice President
Chief Financial Officer, Buffalo Industries LLC

Chad Zinda
Secretary
Founder & Broker, Metropolist

Robin Howard
Treasurer
Manager, Alcohol Compliance, Starbucks Coffee Company

Christine Beeman
Senior Clinic Manager, Evergreen Treatment Services

Daniel Byrne
Manager, Dakota Street LLC

Kenneth Clark
Director Facilities, American Life Inc.

Alex Cooley
Founder, Cooley Holdings

SALLY DEL FIERRO
Director, Community Engagement,
Port of Seattle

Effie Gleason
Vice President Marketing, Gull Industries, Inc.

Mark Miller
President & CEO, MacMillan-Piper

Lisa Nitze
Vice President Marketing Investments, Community Partnerships, Nitze-Stagen

Jen Osborn
Owner, Paratex Pest Prevention

Juan Rodriguez
Director, Ballpark Operations, Seattle Mariners

Garth Schlemlein
Founding Member, Schlemlein Fick & Franklin

Joe Sievers
Vice President, The H.O. Seiffert Company
2023 WORK PLAN
The mission of the SODO BIA is to advocate for a safe, clean, connected and engaged SODO, for the benefit of property owners, businesses, tenants, employees and patrons of the SODO district.
Feel free to look through our 2023 workplan and budget below to see how we plan to reach these goals this upcoming year:
Committees
The SODO Business Improvement Area is more than just one person or organization, it is a collaboration of businesses, property owners and the City of Seattle working together to create lasting change in the our shared district, SODO. Effectively addressing the issues of the district requires the participation of ratepayers to create a shared vision of the district. Interested in getting involved? Consider participating in one of our program area Committees.
For more information on these committees and other ways to get involved please fill out our online form, by calling us at, 206-294-3285, or by emailing Info@SODOSeattle.org