Ryan Calkins

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About Commissioner Calkins

Ryan Calkins was elected to the Port of Seattle Commission in 2017 and re-elected in 2021. Ryan is the Executive Director of the Edge Cluster, a non-profit dedicated to statewide economic development through emerging technologies. For more than a decade, Ryan ran an import and distribution company in Seattle that was recognized for its industry-leading sustainability initiatives. In 2007, he formed Seattle Microfinance Organization, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to capital for entrepreneurs with limited economic resources. Ryan began his career in Central and South America, working for disaster relief and human rights nonprofits.

He received his Master of Arts from Yale University in International Relations and his Bachelor of Arts from Willamette University in Religious Studies. Born and raised in Edmonds by a public school teacher and a small business owner, Ryan now lives in Seattle with his wife and three children.

Commissioner Calkins focuses on sustainable economic development at the Port of Seattle, working to ensure that the region's prosperity is shared among all communities. In 2021, Ryan was recognized for his role in launching Maritime High School with the Laschever Marlinspike Award from the Northwest Maritime Center.

Ryan balances current needs with a long-term vision for the Port of Seattle, to ensure that one of our region's most valuable public assets will continue to thrive for generations to come.