As 2025 draws to a close, I discover myself reflecting on what has been an extraordinary year of serving as Commission President of the Port of Seattle.
In January, I had the great honor of becoming the first Asian American woman to lead the Port Commission in its 114-year history. This milestone holds special significance for me as a descendant of Japanese American WWII incarcerees — a reminder of how far we've come and how much work still needs to be done to build a more just and equitable future.
This year, I advanced my "Teal New Deal" vision, which merges blue-economy maritime projects with green-economy clean-energy investments to position Seattle as a global leader in sustainable commerce. As a mother of two and someone with experience in local, state, and federal government, I have worked to ensure our policies support good jobs, sustainability, and a thriving Port economy that sustains nearly 200,000 regional jobs.
This year brought constant political, policy, and economic uncertainties. As Commission President, I aimed to be a steady guide and voice for both the Port of Seattle and the Northwest Seaport Alliance, managing these challenges while focusing on the people and communities who rely on us, especially the workers at Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) International Airport.
My unwavering focus has been on implementing policies that enhance the well-being of thousands of employees and foster a more sustainable and equitable future for our region.
The following are key accomplishments from this year
On National Immigrants Day in October, I was proud to lead a unanimous Commission vote strengthening the Port's Welcoming Port Policy. This reaffirms our commitment to welcoming all visitors regardless of immigration status, a value that resonates deeply with my family's history. This wasn't just policy, it was personal.
One of the most significant challenges this year was defending Seattle's industrial lands. We’ve safeguarded thousands of family-wage jobs and ensure that housing development occurs in properly zoned areas. Our industrial lands are the backbone of our regional economy, and we must stand to defend them.
Few things have been more meaningful to me this year than advancing support for our SEA airport workforce. We implemented a $550,000 childcare navigator program for SEA employees and are exploring an on-site childcare facility — priorities that I’ve championed since joining the Port Commission. We also advanced transit solutions, including providing free ORCA passes to over 20,000 SEA workers, giving them access to a reliable transportation option.
Additionally, we initiated a study on enhanced healthcare benefits for SEA workers, an effort that grew directly from listening sessions with SEIU 6, UFCW, and WMBE workers. When workers thrive, our entire Port economy thrives.
We adopted a $5.6 billion five-year Capital Improvement Plan that advances clean energy, sustainable aviation fuels, and waterfront electrification. We expanded the South King County Community Impact Fund to $14 million over five years, ensuring communities facing economic and environmental inequities benefit from Port investments.
My Teal New Deal vision took significant steps forward this year through initiatives such as omni-terminal activation, green cargo corridors, especially with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ports of Ulsan and Busan in South Korea. These aren't just environmental initiatives — they're economic development strategies that position our Port for next-century leadership.
As co-chair of the Northwest Seaport Alliance, I navigated complex tariff impacts affecting our regional economy. Throughout this challenging period, I maintained transparent communication with the public and business community about port operations and job security. Our role is to be honest, accessible, and responsive — especially during uncertain times.
As my first four-year term concludes, I'm grateful to have been re-elected to serve another term beginning in January 2026. The work continues, and I'm energized by what we can accomplish together.
This year reinforced my belief that we can have both a thriving economy and a commitment to equity and sustainability. We don't have to choose between good jobs and environmental stewardship. We don't have to choose between economic growth and community investment. When we lead with our values and listen to our workers and communities, we can achieve transformative change.
Thank you to my fellow Commissioners, Port staff, our labor partners, and the communities we serve for making 2025 a year of historic progress. Here's to building an even stronger Port for the Future in 2026.
All my best,
Toshiko Grace Hasegawa
President, Port of Seattle Commission
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