Meet the Director

Sam Read is honored to serve as the Interim Director of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods during this period of transition.

Sam has been with the Department of Neighborhoods (DON) for ten years. He joined the DON team in 2016 as a Senior Public Relations Specialist and was promoted to Communications Director in 2020. In 2023, he moved into the role of Deputy Director. During his tenure as Communications Director, Sam worked with his team to reimagine the role of communications within local government, particularly as it intersects with anti-racism, storytelling, and belonging. He built authentic relationships with community, amplified and invested in BIPOC voices and BIPOC-centered stories, fostered community ownership over DON’s communications channels, and carved out a unique communications niche for the department within city government.

As Deputy Director, Sam has provided leadership and oversight of the department’s daily operations, led the creation of a three-year strategic plan, built positive and productive relationships with the Mayor’s Office and City Council, provided consistent and effective human resources support, served as a lead in the City’s World Cup planning, and built strategies and initiatives that foster a workplace culture centered on inclusion and equity.

Prior to joining the City of Seattle, Sam spent more than 15 years working in the arts sector, from managing a small nonprofit theatre to serving as Deputy Director of Theatre Puget Sound and Director of External Relations at the University of Washington School of Drama.

While all of the above is important, the main focus of Sam’s life is his husband and two kids and finding as many opportunities as possible to travel, explore arts and culture, spend time with friends, karaoke, go hiking, listen to music, and do the occasional theatre project.