(Above: Donna was an integral organizer of the Community Kitchens for Affordable Housing Residents program that delivered over 8,000 free, nutritious meals to low-income residents experiencing food insecurity as a result of the pandemic. Donna ran the program out of her restaurant, Marjorie, in Capitol Hill. Volunteers got flowers for Donna and EcoDistrict team members to thank them for coordinating the program.)
November has been a busy month for Donna Moodie.
Donna, owner of Marjorie restaurant and executive director of the Capitol Hill EcoDistrict, was promoted and named one of Puget Sound Business Journal’s 2020 Women of Influence, all within a couple weeks. After being hired to lead the EcoDistrict in January, Donna was appointed as the new Executive Vice President of Community Development for Community Roots Housing last week.
“Donna’s 30 years of successful community business leadership has positioned her perfectly for this job,” wrote Community Roots CEO Christopher Persons in an internal memo. “Donna provides extraordinary executive leadership skills that will help us prepare and face with resolve the new challenges we are certain to encounter.”
Donna has been a pillar of the community for many years, opening her first restaurant in Belltown in 1993 and leading neighborhood activism for the 20+ years she has been a Seattle resident. Her history of community work includes, but is by no means limited to, co-chairing the Mayor’s Small Business Advisory Council, participating in the Central Area Land Use Review Committee, serving on the Seattle Center Advisory Commission, chairing the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas Board, and consulting on business startups.
“I am so truly honored to work at Community Roots Housing,” Donna said. “The community of people I work with and for continue to inspire me. While my background as an entrepreneur and community leader brought me to Community Roots, it is my passion for connecting people, facilitating communication, and my energy for new ideas that keeps me impassioned for the work ahead. I am truly grateful for the opportunity.”
Donna was recognized as one of the 2020 Women of Influence at a virtual award ceremony on November 12, and she has already jumped into work in her new role at Community Roots.
“I am honored to have Donna to seek out for advice and counsel on all aspects of our work and look forward to a long and prosperous partnership with her,” Christopher said.
