2008 RECIPIENT—SUE MECKLENBURG

Sue Mecklenburg has enriched the lives of her community through extraordinary volunteer work. She credits the Junior League of Seattle with providing the opportunity to learn and work as a trained volunteer who could make a difference.

During her active league years, Sue volunteered for many league projects including the Wise Penney thrift store assistant chair, Project Development chair, Resource Development director, Automation Coordinator, Community vice president, SPAN delegate, architecture, and children chair. She was JLS president in 1988–89.

After years of volunteering, Sue went back to college to earn an MBA from the UW Business School and while there, created the first MBA orientation program and chaired the 75th Anniversary committee.

SOME OF SUE’S COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

  • Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Board

  • Leadership Tomorrow, Board

  • Seattle KidsPlace, Founder, President

  • Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, President

  • Seattle League of Women Voters, Board

  • City Club, Board

  • Specialty Coffee Association of America, Board

  • Seattle Commission on Children and Youth

  • Virginia Mason Foundation, Advisory Board

  • Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS)

  • Center for Environmental Leadership in Business, Board

  • Business and Biodiversity Council

  • UW Environmental Innovation Challenge

  • Bainbridge Graduate Institute Academic, Advisory Board

  • Northwest CARE Foundation

  • Starbucks Foundation—one of founders

  • US Presidential Citation: National Volunteer Action Award

  • UW Faculty Award for Outstanding Student Service

  • UW Dennis Dahl Student Service Award

  • Starbucks Coffee Company Leader of the Year, 1999

  • Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, highest academic honors

After graduate school, Sue became the first Environmental Affairs Director at Starbucks and spent over 15 years working to achieve positive social and environmental outcomes. She helped launch the Starbucks Foundation and established “Make your Mark”, a popular employee volunteer program.