Colleen Echohawk brings over 20 years of experience as an executive leader, small business owner, and community organizer to the role. This includes serving as Executive Director of Chief Seattle Club, where she led the effort to create nearly $100 million in new affordable housing in Seattle, and CEO of Eighth Generation, a Native-designed art and lifestyle brand. She is an active member of the board of trustees for both Seattle Foundation and Seattle Colleges. An established champion of Seattle’s Native and under-resourced populations, Echohawk is an enrolled member of the Kithehaki Band of the Pawnee Nation and a member of the Upper Athabascan people of Mentasta Lake. As CEO of Community Roots, Colleen will help to advance our mission to create inclusive, affordable housing and foster thriving, just communities.

Joe Nguyen joined the Seattle Metro Chamber as President & CEO in January 2026, bringing extensive experience in economic development, business strategy, government, and public-private collaboration to the region’s leading business advocacy organization. He previously served as Director of the Washington State Department of Commerce, where he oversaw statewide efforts to support employers, strengthen key industries, expand workforce capacity, and improve Washington’s competitiveness. He also served in the Washington State Senate representing Seattle’s 34th Legislative District and has held private-sector leadership roles at Microsoft and Expedia.

Derrick Belgarde is the Executive Director of Chief Seattle Club, a nonprofit dedicated to physically and spiritually supporting American Indian and Alaska Native people through nutrition, primary health care, housing assistance, legal services, job training, and more. There, Derrick has served for over a decade on staff supporting basic needs for Seattle’s Native community, many of whom are homeless, and for the last 4 years as the organization’s leader. He is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon, and also Chippewa-Cree from Rocky Boy Montana. Derrick has served on the boards of Community Roots Housing, Downtown Emergency Service Center, Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness, and the Housing Development Consortium. He completed his undergraduate in Public Affairs Magna Cum Laude, and went on to complete his Master’s in Public Administration, both at Seattle University. He is a proud father of three and is married to the wonderful Lua Belgarde.

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