Image (from left): Des Moines City Manager Katherine Caffrey, Cathy Vue of the Port of Seattle, Senator Tina Orwall (D-33), Representative Mia Gregerson (D-33), Crystal Leatherman
Business, civic, and nonprofit leaders gathered July 10 at Highline College in Des Moines for the Seattle Southside Chamber and Success Foundation’s 2026 Leadership Conference, bringing together approximately 250 attendees to discuss economic trends, workforce needs, policy issues and the future of South King County.
Crystal Leatherman, director of policy and government affairs for the Washington Retail Association, participated as a panelist during the conference’s economic outlook discussion, joining regional leaders in examining the challenges and opportunities impacting businesses.
Leatherman highlighted the pressures facing customer-facing industries, including retailers, restaurants, and hospitality businesses, as they navigate rising operating costs, workforce challenges, regulatory uncertainty, and changing consumer behavior. She noted that many businesses are closely monitoring the gap between the increasing costs of operating and cautious consumer spending.
“This is one of the most diverse, both economically and industry, as well as demographically regions in our state,” Leatherman said, emphasizing the importance of immigrant and refugee-owned businesses and their contributions to Washington’s economy.
The panel also discussed the region’s economic strengths, including its diverse workforce, proximity to Sea-Tac Airport, transportation and distribution networks, and industries such as aerospace, construction, maritime and green jobs.
Additional conference sessions focused on small business and nonprofit cash flow challenges, leadership strategies and navigating uncertainty. Speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration among businesses, community organizations, educators and public agencies to address shared regional challenges.
The event concluded with a fireside chat featuring King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and Tukwila Mayor Thomas McLeod. Zahilay reflected on his experiences growing up in South Seattle and how they shaped his approach to leadership and public service.
“I think leadership is finding what your gift is and then finding a problem to solve with that gift,” Zahilay said. “To me, when a gift finds a problem to solve, that’s when you find purpose.”
