Seattle Architecture Foundation

Sydney W. Dobson, MNPL, Executive Director
Sydney has served as a volunteer and professional in the non-profit sector for more than thirty years. Before joining the Seattle Architecture Foundation in January 2002, Sydney was the first Executive Director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation charged with developing the national memorial to the Oklahoma City bombing victims and survivors. Prior to that appointment, she served for thirteen years as the Executive Director of Oklahoma City Beautiful (OKC Beautiful) — a community-wide, grassroots organization dedicated to improving the image of Oklahoma City. Under her leadership the programs, Board of Directors, staff and organization received more than thirty local, state and national awards. Sydney has served on more than thirty community boards, mayoral appointed committees and governmental commissions and received numerous awards for her work. She received her Executive Master of Nonprofit Leadership degree from Seattle University in December, 2002.

Roberta Miner, Tours Director
A life-long resident of Washington State, Roberta is a proud alumnus of Gonzaga University. Although trained as a journalist, she has worked in the non-profit sector for more than 10 years. Roberta's love of architecture and design brought her to SAF in February, 2008.

Andrew Spencer, Tours Coordinator
Arriving in Seattle in 2008, Andrew started investigating the Seattle skyline as a tour guide for Alki Kayak Tours in West Seattle. He quickly came to love the unique way that Seattle blends with its natural environment. "The mountains and the water look even better for having a city in the foreground." In 2010 he finally found SAF, and like-minded people who believe that buildings can improve upon the people who inhabit them. Hailing from Colorado, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and most recently Texas, where he received a B.A. in English, he believes that he has finally found a home in the beautiful Northwest.

Tracy Vicory-Rosenquest, Program Director
With a passion for building community and empowering young people, Tracy brings to SAF her experience developing and managing volunteer programs & youth programs. Tracy has worked closely with the non-profit sector for 7 years and has also contributed as an event planner, coach, and project evaluator. She joined SAF in September, 2007.

2010 Interns
Michelle Anderl
Michelle grew up in the Seattle area and loves exploring the smaller spaces of the city. She graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in English, but has had an appreciation for architecture and built environments since she made her first model in the 6th grade. Despite her constant craving for travel and international culture (especially Italian), she's happy to stay home this summer to get to know her own town a little better.

Sarah Araya
Born and raised in Gig Harbor, Washington, Sarah always had an interest in art and later pursued a growing interest in design and architecture. She is currently attending the Art Institute of Seattle, studying for her BFA in Interior Design. She is excited to be a part of SAF and learn about the history of Seattle's architecture and design outside of a school setting.

N.D.M. Borchers
Native to Seattle, Natalie embraces both the urban and surrounding natural landscapes the city has to offer. Mesmerized by the written word as a child, she has been writing since she can remember. Inspired by the architectural world, an enthusiast for green development and urban living, combined with preservation of the past, she hopes to blend her written inspiration with those at SAF and contribute toward the awakening and fueling of the public's affair with the art of architecture.

Markus Buthuis
Markus grew up across the water in Port Orchard, Washington. The Seattle skyline has always beckoned to him from across the Sound. After recently completing a B.A. in English at Seattle Pacific University, Markus is exploring the career paths of writing and editing. He loves to learn and is finding that SAF is a perfect environment for this passion.

Casey Dickson
Casey was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, but is in love with the Pacific Northwest after living in Portland and Seattle. She is a current University of Washington student studying English, Political Science, and French, the latter subject leading her to a fantastic study abroad experience in Paris last fall. The trip not only fueled her love for travel, but a greater appreciation for the intricacies of architecture that led her to join SAF in May 2010.

Daniel Foran
Daniel is a recent graduate of the University of Washington College of the Built Environment with a B.A. in architecture. His background includes work in graphic design, print, writing, and music. A resident of the Seattle area for over ten years, he is now working to become involved in its art and design community.

Tyler Fruichantie
Firmly rooted in the state of Washington, Tyler Fruichantie originates from Seattle and is a proud Coug from Washington State University. Tyler is a recent graduate with a B.A. in Communication Advertising. Interests stem from the realms of architecture, "going green" and nifty modern technology.

Rebecca Furman
Rebecca's commitment to visual and verbal communication has driven her to study creative expression in various forms for numerous years. She fell in love with the art of writing while studying in San Francisco and later discovered her passion for designing space by taking courses on the history of modern architecture. Having recently moved to Seattle in September or 2009, Rebecca is excited that she will be able to contribute her kowledge of architecture to SAF in addition to exploring the Seattle area.

Kelly Graham
As a lifelong Seattle-area resident, Kelly is enamored with all things local. She is a current University of Washington student studying graphic design and architecture, which brought her to SAF in May 2010.

Thalia Martinez-Parker
Thalia is a native Californian but has been living in the Northwest for seven years. She attended Portland State University and received a BA in Community Development. Her love of the built environment, design and culture has brought her to SAF. She is currently working with immigrant youth as a bilingual counselor. Thalia is interested in food, design, and culture. On her time off, she enjoys cooking, gossip blogs and spending quality time with her husband and friends.

Mackenzie Olson
Mackenzie was born and raised in Seattle. She is currenlty pursuing her B.A. in English Literature at Principia college in Elsah, IL. Machenzie began interning for SAF in June 2010 and also works part time for the Seahawks and Sounders during her summer vacations. In her free time she enjoys running, reading and spending time with her friends and family.

Haley Petersen
Born in Oregon and currently studying in California, Haley is an ardent lover of the West Coast. She attends California Polytechnic State University and is pursuing a degree in print journalism. As the roommate of two architecture students, Haley has grown to appreciate the impact that design and construction have on a community. She hopes to further cultivate this appreciation through SAF while contributing her writing skills as a summer writing intern.

Larry Scott
Born in California, raised in Alabama, then educated in Michigan, nonetheless Seattle is home in my heart. As a technical writer, I wed my love of math and comptuers to my passion for words. Way back in my past I got a degree in Urban Planning, but worked for years in IT. I'm pleased that writing for SAF will allow me to renew my long-latent interests in design and architecture.

Jolie Shanoian
Jolie grew up in Poulsbo but moved to Seattle in her late teens. She was eager to embrace the city life and immerse herself in the punk culture of the early 80s. She also put her dream of traveling to Europe, (mostly the U.K.) into action and began a 15-year travel fervor that wouldn't bottom out until 2001. As an artist and designer, she is thrilled to be part of the Seattle Architecture Foundation, and, as an accounting major, she's grateful for the opportunity to put her skills to work.

Sean Sullivan
Sean was born and raised in Burien and now lives in Seattle's University District while studying English at the University of Washington. Although not very knowledgeable of architecture, Sean is appreciative of the design of his urban environment and hopes he can contribute something to SAF this summer, in spite of his ignorance.

Jennifer Turner
Inspired by literature, language and all thing art, Jennifer graduated from the University of Washington in June 2009 with a Batchelor of Arts degree, majoring in English Literature. After a lengthy search for the right internship, she was lucky enough to find the Seattle Architecture Foundation. Despite a lack of architectural experience, she is excited about the opportunity to learn and grow in a new field, and to expand her literary skills through new experiences.

SAF has a variety of volunteer opportunities. Learn more and apply online.

The Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

SAF Staff, Summer Interns and fabulous volunteer David explored the built environment inside the cup and met the cows.

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