Meet Preeti Shridhar

We were lucky to catch up with Preeti Shridhar recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Preeti, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Being the Only One in the Room: Turning Isolation into Impact

I’ve spent a lifetime being the only one in the room who looked like me—and I’ve learned to turn that spotlight into a force for change. Being the only Indian woman at the table wasn’t a setback—it became my superpower. I’ve always had to work twice as hard, think sharper, and carry more. But grit alone isn’t enough. To truly rise, you have to be bold. You have to be unapologetically different. You have to stand for something that matters—not just for yourself, but for others who don’t yet have a voice in the room.

Throughout my journey, I’ve never shied away from standing up for what’s right, even when it meant standing alone.
At St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul, Minnesota, I was the only Indian scholarship student at an elite Catholic institution. When a Japanese classmate—first in her family for generations to earn a degree—was told she couldn’t wear her ancestral kimono at graduation, I refused to let that moment pass. I fought for her right to honor her heritage, and we won. For the first time in the university’s history, students were allowed to wear traditional attire at graduation. That moment wasn’t just about attire—it was about dignity, identity, and equity. This was my way to be effective and successful by taking responsibility for something important.

Years later, I served as the Mayor’s Deputy Administrator for Public Affairs at the City of Renton—breaking barriers as the first person of Indian origin in the city’s leadership in over 100 years! In 2019, a grassroots group from nearby Sammamish—Plateaupians for Peace—came to me after their efforts to get a Pride proclamation had been ignored. I knew what it meant to be unheard. I worked with the Mayor, and together we issued Renton’s first Pride proclamation and raised the Pride flag—an unprecedented act that paved the way for an annual tradition that still thrives today. When the LGBTQ+ community representative couldn’t attend, I had the honor of accepting the proclamation on their behalf. Once again, this effort was a success not just for me but provided a voice for those who were previously not heard.

Most recently, in my role working with the City of Seattle on post-COVID economic revitalization, I noticed something missing. Despite Seattle’s diversity, major Indian festivals were largely absent from the city’s core. I didn’t accept it. I made the economic and cultural case—and in partnership with community allies—I launched Seattle’s first Holi Color Festival by the Space Needle. What began as a bold idea is now a massive annual tradition. This year, over 15,000 people danced in color and joy—right in the heart of downtown.

Here’s what I’ve learned: when you’re the only one in the room, you can either shrink—or you can amplify. You lead with authenticity. You stay anchored in your values. And you show up not just for yourself, but for everyone still waiting for someone who looks like them to walk through the door.
You don’t just take up space—you transform it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

In November 2023, I was elected to the Woodinville Water District—making history as the first South Asian Indian and the first woman of color ever to hold this office. I am also one of only a handful of elected public utility officials in Washington state representing communities of color. I don’t take that lightly. It’s an honor, and it’s a responsibility. I represent not only my community but the countless others who haven’t yet had a seat at the table. I take that charge seriously, every single day.

Woodinville Water District is one of the largest combined water and sewer districts in the state. We provide critical services—safe drinking water and wastewater treatment—to residents and businesses across Woodinville and neighboring areas including Bothell, Kirkland, and Redmond. What makes this moment particularly exciting is that we’re in a historic decision-making phase. We’re negotiating our water supply for the next 60 years, making strategic plans for long-term infrastructure, and addressing budgetary priorities that will impact generations to come. As a newly elected commissioner with a six-year term, I bring both urgency and vision to these decisions—and I bring the lived experience of someone who has always worked at the intersection of equity, sustainability, and community well-being.

What excites me most about this role is that water is life. It’s a basic human right and the foundation for public health, economic growth, environmental resilience, and climate justice. I’m committed to ensuring our water systems are safe, sustainable, equitable, and forward-looking—because the decisions we make today will shape our region’s future for decades.

I am no stranger to being the first. For over 30 years, I’ve served the public across local government, environmental leadership, equity work, and economic development. I began my journey in Seattle, where I launched the city’s nationally acclaimed environmental, recycling, and conservation programs. I also helped lead some of the city’s most transformative programs, and groundbreaking social marketing campaigns that drove real behavior change toward environmentally responsible practices.

I went on to work closely with the Mayor’s Office when we invited former Vice President Al Gore to champion Seattle’s Climate Protection Initiative—making Seattle the first city in the nation to sign the U.S. Climate Protection Agreement. We didn’t wait for change; we led it.

I continued that momentum as Deputy to the Mayor of Renton. There, I led transformative work in economic development, affordable housing, equity and created the city’s first-ever Equity, Housing, and Human Services Department. From launching the Census outreach strategy to driving the city’s DEI work, my focus was always the same: deliver results that lift people up. Again, I broke new ground as the first South Asian woman on Renton’s Executive Leadership Team.

In 2022, I returned to Seattle to serve as the Deputy Director for the Office of Economic Development under Mayor Bruce Harrell. I led a post-pandemic economic analysis to shape the Future of Seattle’s Economy and drove strategic efforts to reimagine and revitalize downtown.

In addition to my role as Commissioner, I proudly serve on three powerful regional boards that reflect my core values:

• Washington Conservation Action – As Vice President last year, I helped protect a major climate protection ballot initiative. I had the fortune to work with actor and activist Jane Fonda for this effort.

• Inspire Washington – As Secretary of the board, I’ve been part of the leadership team that secured $100 million in funding for arts and cultural organizations across the region.

• Pacific Northwest Social Marketing Association – Where I continue to advance social change through evidence-based communication strategies that shift behavior and improve lives.

Throughout every chapter of my career, I’ve stood up—not just as a woman in leadership, but as a woman who believes deeply in lifting others as I rise. My work has always been rooted in transformational leadership, building meaningful collaborations, challenging inequities, and championing race, social justice, and women’s empowerment. That commitment has extended beyond U.S. borders; I’ve worked internationally, including with USAID on key projects in Jordan.

I believe that leadership isn’t about waiting for the path to be clear—it’s about clearing the path for others. Be a first, so others can follow more easily. That’s the legacy I strive to build every single day.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Leading with Courage, Voice, and Vision: The Three Pillars That Shaped My Journey

When I look back on my professional journey—from being a scholarship student at an elite college where no one looked like me, to serving as a Deputy Administrator to the Mayor of a major city, and now being the first South Asian Indian and first woman of color elected to the Woodinville Water District—three qualities rise to the top as the most impactful: courage, communication, and strategic thinking. Each one has shaped not only my leadership, but also how I’ve navigated—and often redefined—systems not built for people like me.

1. Courage: The Power of Showing Up, Speaking Out, and Taking Risks

Courage isn’t just something I leaned on—it’s something I had to grow. Whether I was advocating for my classmate’s right to wear her ancestral kimono at graduation or raising the Pride flag in a city that had never acknowledged LGBTQ+ voices, I often found myself standing alone, taking a stand others were afraid to. I learned early that if I wanted to see change, I couldn’t wait for permission—I had to be the first, even when the path was unclear or unpopular.

But courage isn’t just about standing tall—it’s also about taking calculated risks. Leading a city’s first equity department, or negotiating a 60-year water supply agreement, or championing cultural celebrations that had never existed in urban spaces like downtown Seattle—these weren’t comfortable decisions. They required vision, resilience, and a willingness to take bold steps without knowing how it would all unfold.

My advice: Be a risk taker. Trust your intuition, especially when your values are on the line. Start small if you have to but stretch yourself. Step into rooms where you’re the only one. Make noise when silence is the easy option. And most importantly, know that every time you do, you’re making it easier for the next person to do the same..

2. Communication: Your Voice is a Tool for Change

Over three decades in public service, I’ve learned that communication—clear, honest, and purpose-driven—is one of the most powerful tools a leader has. Whether I was leading environmental campaigns in Seattle or advocating for social equity in Renton, the ability to convey complex ideas with clarity and passion made all the difference. It helped me bring people together around a shared purpose, influence public policy, and build movements that lasted.

But communication isn’t just about speaking well—it’s about listening deeply, building trust, and knowing how to frame your message to meet people where they are. One of my proudest achievements was bringing together unlikely stakeholders—from city officials to community organizers—to align on tough issues like affordable housing and climate protection. That takes more than words; it takes empathy, strategy, and commitment.

My advice: Hone your voice. Speak up, even when it feels uncomfortable. Learn to listen better than you speak. And don’t be afraid to tell your story—because it’s not just about your accomplishments, it’s about your why. That’s what people remember. That’s what moves them.

3. Strategic Thinking: See the Long Game, Build What Lasts

Leadership is about more than solving today’s problems—it’s about anticipating tomorrow’s needs. Throughout my career, I’ve worked on issues with far-reaching consequences: post-pandemic economic recovery, long-term urban sustainability, and equitable access to vital public services. These weren’t just checkboxes on a policy agenda—they were opportunities to ask deeper questions: Who benefits? Who’s left out? How do we ensure this lasts beyond any single leader or administration?

As a Commissioner, I bring that same mindset to every decision—especially now, as we face monumental choices about our region’s water supply, infrastructure, and environmental future. Strategic thinking means making decisions that are grounded in data but driven by values—because when you lead with purpose, you build trust and momentum that lasts far beyond your term.

My advice: Start seeing connections. Read everything. Ask questions that others aren’t asking. And most importantly, make decisions that reflect not just short-term gains, but long-term impact. That’s how we leave a legacy.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

If I knew I had just ten years left on this Earth, I would live them with unrelenting urgency and unstoppable fire. I’ve spent more than three decades building a career in public service—breaking barriers, creating change, and standing up for people who’ve been overlooked or pushed aside. But if the clock was ticking louder, I would raise my voice even louder, and dive headfirst into two causes that weigh heaviest on my heart: gender equity and the dignity of aging.

The Fight for Women is Far From Over

Yes, we’ve opened doors. But let’s be clear—they don’t always stay open, and far too often, women walk through them only to find themselves boxed in by invisible ceilings, inequitable pay, toxic workplaces, and outdated social structures. Women still carry the emotional and physical weight of domestic violence, the shame of abuse, and now, increasingly, the devastating erosion of reproductive rights.

We are watching the clock be turned back on decades of progress. If I had a decade left, I would go all in. I would speak louder. I would organize, advocate, and create bold, unapologetic platforms for real change. I wouldn’t settle for small steps—I’d fight for leaps. I’d mobilize women of color, immigrants, single mothers, survivors—everyone who’s been told they’re “too much” or “not enough.” I would build coalitions that challenge systems, policies, and the false comfort of silence.

Age with Dignity: The Next Frontier of Equity

As a woman in leadership—and as someone growing older myself—I’ve become acutely aware of the quiet, creeping bias of ageism. It shows up in hiring decisions, healthcare disparities, and how we treat our seniors as burdens instead of wisdom-holders. Our society isn’t built for people to grow old with dignity. Our systems are reactive, not preventive. Our support networks are stretched thin. And far too often, seniors are made to feel invisible.

If I had ten years left, I would dedicate part of every single day to reimagining aging—pushing for elder justice, better healthcare, inclusive communities, and intergenerational equity. I would work to dismantle the stereotypes that render older women powerless and challenge the notion that our relevance fades with time. I would amplify their voices, honor their contributions, and fight for their care—because we all deserve to be seen and valued at every stage of life.

Doing Something Radical and Meaningful
I’ve given speeches. I’ve joined boards. I’ve led departments and initiatives that made real impact. But I know I haven’t even scratched the surface of what I’m capable of. If I had just one more decade, I would be fearless. I would take more risks. I would launch bold initiatives that live beyond me—think tanks, community spaces, advocacy hubs that are as unapologetic as they are impactful. I would speak truth in uncomfortable rooms. I would write. I would mentor. I would march. I would sit with women in shelters and elders in nursing homes. I would bridge divides, because this isn’t just about advocacy—it’s about human dignity.

Ten years may not be a lifetime, but it’s enough time to start a revolution. It’s enough to spark lasting change, to ignite others, and to make sure that the world I leave behind is more just, more compassionate, and more awake than the one I found.

A Call to Action

If you’re reading this and wondering how you can make a difference—don’t wait. Don’t wait for the perfect job, the perfect platform, or the perfect timing. Start now. Speak up. Show up. Choose one cause and fight for it with everything you have. Be a first, so others can follow. Be bold. Be a risk taker. Be the person who dares to change the ending.

What Legacy Really Means

For me, legacy isn’t about titles or accolades. It’s not about how long your name is remembered. It’s about how many people’s lives were made better because you were here. It’s about whether you used your voice, your power, your one wild and precious life—to lift others up, to create space, to love fiercely, and to lead with courage.
And if I only had ten years left—I’d spend them doing exactly that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://electpreeti.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commissionerpreeti/

Image Credits

Ava Van photography