Seattle Southside Chamber appoints Samantha Le as successor to outgoing CEO/President Annie McGrath

EDITOR’S NOTE: South King Media Founder/Publisher Scott Schaefer serves on the Board of Directors for the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce.

The Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce this week announced that President and CEO Annie McGrath will step down from her role on Sept. 6, 2024, and will be succeeded by Samantha Le.

McGrath, who has led the Chamber since 2021, has accepted a position in State Government Affairs with an Olympia-based firm.

In her departure announcement, McGrath expressed gratitude to the Chamber’s Board of Directors, members, and the Southside community.

“My time with the Chamber has been impactful and tremendously rewarding, and I’m proud of what we have accomplished together,” McGrath said. “The Chamber is strong in its programming, membership engagement, finances, and has exceptional staff. I am excited to continue to be part of the Seattle Southside Chamber community in my new role and look forward to seeing the Chamber continue to grow and thrive under new leadership.”

Following the notice of McGrath’s departure, the Board of Directors unanimously moved to appoint Le as its new President/CEO. Le has served as Executive Vice President at the Seattle Southside Chamber since 2021 and was named Executive Director at the Chamber’s 501 c 3 Success Foundation in January 2023. She will assume her new role on Sept. 7, 2024.

“Samantha is the clear choice to lead our Chamber,” said Jennifer Hansen, Seattle Southside Board Chair. “Samantha has long been a leader in our organization, contributing to both Chamber operations, as well as the strategic planning and vision for Chamber programming and services. She has developed strong relationships with our local elected officials, regional partners, and members, and we are delighted to promote her to the position of President/CEO.”

Le’s journey with the Chamber began as a dedicated member and Ambassador, eventually leading to her role as the Chamber’s Executive Vice President. In this capacity, she has been instrumental in shaping the Chamber’s programs, supporting membership, and fostering key strategic partnerships. Le has spearheaded several significant Chamber initiatives, including the Free Small Business Resource Fair, the 2023 Public Safety Summit, and most recently the 2024 Southside Leadership Conference. As Executive Director of the Success Foundation, her leadership has doubled the number of participating students, significantly increasing applicant engagement by meeting students where they are. Through her commitment to access and inclusivity, she has expanded the reach of the summer Workforce Discovery Lab, strengthened partnerships with regional employers, and collaborated with other workforce development program providers.

As a Vietnamese Refugee and daughter of small business owners with deep roots in South King County, Le is passionate about creating equitable solutions for entrepreneurs. She is a graduate of Trinity Lutheran College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Le is currently enrolled in the Institute for Organizational Management, a program designed to enhance performance for Chamber of Commerce professionals in the practice of nonprofit management, and is expected to receive certification in January 2026.

“I am deeply honored to step into the role of President & CEO of the Seattle Southside Chamber,” Le said. “My heartfelt gratitude goes out to our board and each of you for your trust and support. Serving our Southside communities alongside such dedicated and passionate leaders is both a privilege and an inspiration. I look forward to working together as we build on the strong foundation laid by Annie and our past leadership to advance our mission with renewed energy and shared purpose.”

Chamber members and community members are invited to join in wishing McGrath and Le well at upcoming Chamber events, including a Normandy Park Mixer on Aug. 14 and the Chamber’s annual SEA Airport Luncheon on Sept. 5, 2024.

About the Seattle Southside Chamber

The Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit business organization that has served the communities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and Tukwila since 1988. The Chamber focuses on equitable business advancement in the region by helping to build and maintain a strong economic environment.

More info here:

https://www.seattlesouthsidechamber.com