Suzanne Dale Estey | Board of Trustees Past President

Class of 2001, Master of Public Administration

Why I Serve

UW is part of my DNA. I grew up playing Nerf soccer with my brothers in the hallways of UW hospital when my father was the chief resident at UW Medical School. The university was a huge part of my childhood and I ended up having my children at UW hospital. Purple is part of who I am and I want to pass that experience to my own kids and many others.

It was the natural evolution of my career to return home and finish my Master’s degree at UW. I’d been working at the White House and, when the opportunity presented itself, I seized the chance of returning home from the “other” Washington. The education I received, especially classes on leadership, technology and public policy, were incredibly impactful. My UW degree has been invaluable to my career.

It’s critically important that we as trustees help UW alumni around the world remain connected to the university. More than 50% of students at UW Bothell and Tacoma and over one-third at the Seattle campus are first-generation college students. That is remarkable and I want to continue fostering connections between alumni and current students. Take a young person to coffee, mentor them, share your career path. We need alumni voices whether you graduated decades ago or this year. The UW is a diverse, intergenerational community. Purple pride brings people together and I love that.

Biography

Suzanne Dale Estey is principal at Dale Estey Partnerships, Strategy & Results, and has over twenty-five years of experience delivering results in economic development, business development, intergovernmental relations, public policy, strategic communications, non-profit leadership and fundraising. She previously served as a partner at Gallatin Public Affairs, and as President and CEO of the Economic Development Council (EDC) of Seattle and King County. Suzanne serves on multiple boards including: Washington Economic Development Association, Junior Statesmen Foundation, Community Center for Education Results/Road Map Project, Seattle College and Renton Technical College Advisory Board and more. She is an avid runner, hiker, skier and traveler who enjoys life with her husband and two active sons.