Washington Roundtable Names Rachel Smith As Next President

The Washington Roundtable announced this week that Rachel Smith will become its next president, effective October 1, 2025. Smith, who has led the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce since 2021, will step down from that role this fall. The Chamber has appointed Gabriella Buono, its current Chief Impact Officer, as interim president and CEO while the board of trustees begins a search for a permanent successor.

The Washington Roundtable is a nonprofit organization comprised of senior executives from many of Washington’s largest private sector employers. Its members collaborate on public policy issues they view as essential to strengthening the state’s economy and expanding opportunity for all Washingtonians.

Julie Sandler, Washington Roundtable board chair and co-founder and venture partner at PSL Ventures, said Smith’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment.

“Rachel is a highly respected advocate for Washington’s businesses at a time when the state is facing strong economic headwinds, from statewide tax increases on businesses of all sizes to economic shifts at the federal level,” Sandler said. “She brings deep civic expertise, strategic leadership, and a proven ability to work across sectors and with public officials around the state. We are excited to welcome her to the Roundtable and confident she will drive solutions that support both our state’s economic health and pathways to opportunity for all Washingtonians.”

Michael Senske, a current member and past chair of the Roundtable, and president and CEO of Pearson Packaging Systems in Spokane, agreed.

“Rachel understands the needs of employers across the state, from the I-5 corridor to communities east of the Cascades,” Senske said. “Under her leadership, the Roundtable will continue to elevate the voice of businesses statewide and pursue policies that strengthen Washington’s economy and communities.”

Smith brings more than two decades of experience in government affairs, operations, and advocacy. She previously served as deputy county executive and chief of staff to King County Executive Dow Constantine, held government and community relations roles at Sound Transit, and worked in the administration of former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.

At the Chamber, Smith has worked on initiatives that members credit with strengthening the organization, including growing membership, building partnerships on transportation and housing, championing small and minority-owned businesses, and launching The Index, a widely used survey tracking voter priorities. She also collaborated with King County during the pandemic on a vaccine verification playbook that earned national recognition.

Preston Feight, CEO of PACCAR and a Roundtable member, said Smith is well positioned to lead the organization forward.

“Washington is a great place to live and work, and employers are a driving force behind keeping it competitive and livable,” Feight said. “Rachel brings the kind of thoughtful leadership that can unite businesses across industries to advance policies that support economic growth and opportunity in every part of the state.”

For Smith, the new role is an opportunity to continue building bridges between business, government, and communities statewide.

“It is an honor to step into this new role with the Roundtable,” Smith said. “Across all levels of government, and in every corner of Washington state, it is imperative that employers are recognized for what they are – an essential part of healthy communities – and that we work together to avoid actions that undermine our economic competitiveness, including policies that disincentivize job growth or make it more expensive to start or grow a business. I look forward to working with officials and partners on solutions that will improve our quality of life and generate prosperity.”

In a farewell note to Chamber members, Smith reflected on some of the work she is most proud of. Among the highlights: launching the Community Business Connector program to expand

access to resources for BIPOC-owned businesses, partnering with King County during the pandemic on a vaccine verification playbook that earned national recognition, and building relationships across the country through Peer City Visits.

“While I am of course sad to think about not working day-to-day with my colleagues and members, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve in one of the most fulfilling jobs of my career,” Smith wrote. “As I often say—onward.”