daneille noune, board chair
first hill resident
Danielle has lived in Seattle for over a decade and has made First Hill her home since around 2010. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, she graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in Psychology and eventually made her way west via a 7 year stopover in New York City. From a very young age Danielle has had a profound interest in social work endeavors and social justice issues. She’s worked as a paralegal both in New York and Seattle, but often fills her free time with nonprofit work geared toward helping others in her community. Her work in law centers around the medical field, where she works with a team providing representation to physicians, hospitals, academic medical centers, and other entities around the Pacific Northwest. Danielle is excited to be involved with FHIA to both strengthen her connections in the neighborhood and to learn more about how she can help support First Hill in continuing to cultivate a thriving and enjoyable community.
ted klainer, board vice chair
harborview medical center, capital projects manager
Ted Klainer has worked as a Capital Project Manager at Harborview Medical Center for 15 years. Ted has worked on a wide range of construction projects at the hospital during those years. Those projects include everything from small renovation work to new construction like the Ninth and Jefferson Building. He is the in-house representative for Harborview’s MIMP Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) and has held that role for nearly 10 years.
Ted is also a member of Swedish Medical Center’s First Hill SAC and Virginia Mason Medical Center’s SAC. He was also a member of Seattle Housing Authority’s Yesler Terrace Citizens Review Committee for nearly 10 years. Ted continues to ensure that Harborview Medical Center is an engaged and contributing neighbor on First Hill by advocating for well-designed new construction that enhances the pedestrian experience on First Hill.
hari shankar raghavan, board treasurer
first hill resident
Hari has been working as a Business Intelligence Manager at Amazon for the past eleven years. He has a total of sixteen years of technology industry experience with a proven track record of leading high-performing teams and delivering impactful results. Additionally, he has an educational background in Information Technology (Bachelors) and Business Administration (MBA). In his roles at Amazon, he has experience in leading and developing tech teams, fostering a collaborative environment that achieves objectives. Hari has experience working with cross-functional teams to build and implement financial data solutions that drive business value. He has a history of developing solutions that improve efficiency and save time and resources. Hari’s experience includes collaborating with stakeholders at all levels, including leadership, finance teams, and engineering teams. He possesses a strong understanding of business needs and a focus on using data to drive key business decisions.
zachary drennan, board secretary
first hill resident
Zachary Drennan moved to Seattle by way of First Hill in 2023, but attended high school in the region after having spent their childhood moving around the country due to their father's service in the U.S. Army. They now consider Seattle their home and look forward to doing work that will help others to make the same decision. Zachary received their Bachelor's of science in civil engineering at the Colorado School of Mines before deciding that urban planning is a field more closely aligned with their goals related to climate change adaptation and community resiliency. Previously, Zachary has worked as a mathematics tutor for underserved youth, a multimedia developer for their alma malter's faculty support office, and most recently as an intern for the state DOT's Safety Rest Area program assisting in the update of the strategic plan. Currently, Zachary is a graduate student at the University of Washington's Master's in Urban Planning program and joined the FHIA to explore the grassroots side of planning and offer their knowledge and perspective on the issues and opportunities present in the neighborhood. Zachary believes that great neighborhoods make a great city and that the work done in community-based organizations like FHIA is what moves the needle in that regard.
john berndt
Hotel sorrento, general manager
John is a First Hill resident who lives on site and manages Hotel Sorrento. He came to Seattle over a year ago to renovate the Hotel and is making gradual physical and operational improvements while planning an extensive renovation.
John has worked as a senior leader in the hotel industry in development and operations around the world including New York, Hong Kong, Seoul, Bali, Las Vegas, and Detroit for Ritz Carlton, Hyatt, Four Seasons, Weston and Capriani.
As a Cornell University Hotel School graduate, John is an active alumni leader and athletic booster. He grew up in New York and is now a proud father of two daughters and five grandchildren. In his free time, John is an avid golfer, and a football and baseball fan.
John has contributed to his community as a Rotarian since 1994. He has been involved in historic preservation projects, served on historic cultural boards and provided leadership to college hospitality programs, gourmet food, and wine associations. John is committed and passionate - he is devoted to his family, strives for continuous improvement in his work, and believes in serving the community in which we live.
drew bigby, mba, fache
providence swedish, chief administrative officer
Drew is accountable for day-to-day operational activities across Central Puget Sound, including at our Swedish First Hill, Cherry Hill, Ballard, Issaquah, and Redmond campuses. He is responsible for operating budget performance, productivity efforts, and other priority needs. Drew was previously at the prestigious Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, Where he served as chief executive officer, overseeing the 282-bed medical center and its staff of 6,700 full-time employees. Prior to serving at Walter Reed, Drew led a number of health systems and organizations - both both large and small and domestic and international - including the U.S. Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan, a 105-bed acute care facility with five ambulatory care centers located in Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the British Island of Diego Garcia.
Drew earned a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Auburn University in Auburn, AL. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a project management professional certified by the Project Management Institute. He has nearly 30 years of healthcare administration experience.
Originally from Fairhope, Alabama, Drew is an avid home cook who enjoys learning new cuisines. He also hopes to someday focus on - and improve - his golf game. He and his partner, Cecile, are excited about exploring their new home city of Seattle. Cecile is originally from Paris, France, and is an avid marathon runner.
John carrico
ampersand Fitness, General Manager
John Carrico is a Seattle native with a long history of contributing to community enrichment and development. As the owner of Ampersand Fitness in First Hill, John has created a welcoming neighborhood hub that prioritizes health, wellness, and connection. Beyond his work in fitness, he has a proven track record of revitalizing local businesses and fostering community engagement, including launching wellness programs, supporting front-line medical workers, and organizing events that bring people together. His entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative approach reflect his dedication to building vibrant, inclusive spaces that serve the needs of the community.
John’s commitment to community improvement extends beyond his professional ventures. As a board member of the First Hill Improvement Association, he focuses on enhancing the neighborhood’s livability and fostering meaningful connections among residents and businesses. A former board member of the South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce and recipient of its Volunteer of the Year award, John has also been a speaker on leadership, networking, and neighborhood development. His passion for making a lasting impact continues to drive his efforts to support and strengthen First Hill as a thriving urban community.
REV. leigh curl-dove
first baptist church, pastor
Rev. Leigh Curl-Dove (she/her) is pastor of Seattle First Baptist Church. She moved to Seattle from North Carolina in the fall of 2023. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Leigh attended Baylor University where she earned a B.A. in Religion with a concentration in church history. She then attended Duke University Divinity School where she received a Master of Divinity with a certificate in Baptist Studies and a concentration in preaching. Leigh has served in various pastoral roles in churches in Virginia, North Carolina, and Texas. She has also worked in the non-profit world for a refugee resettlement agency. As a pastor, Leigh works to both be a good neighbor and equip and empower the congregation she serves to be good neighbors. She is excited to be part of the FHIA board and work to foster a strong community and neighborhood.
eli lemanski
horizon house, Director of construction and renovations
Eli served in the U.S Navy from 1997 to 2001, which brought him to Seattle from his native Detroit. He graduated from University of Washington with a B.S. in Construction Management. Eli is currently the Director of Construction at Horizon House, a First Hill senior living community, where he manages renovations and major capital improvements to its four-building campus. He has a passion for both senior living and architecture, and delights in working on First Hill.
Eli has served on FHIA’s Board since 2019. He is a dedicated and compassionate member who is committed to enhancing the lives of residents and supporting local businesses. Driven by creating positive change, Eli believes we can address challenges like addiction, homelessness, and safety in partnership with local government and through engaging social services. By working together as a community, we can all ensure the First Hill neighborhood thrives.
ella m. mcrae, d.v.m.
first hill resident
Dr. Ella McRae is a proud South Seattle Native and graduate of Washinton State University. Dr. McRae is passionate about building and empowering community to create spaces that are not only healing, but allow community members to be able to be their complete selves. She is currently a community builder for Seattle Housing Authority. Ella brings her passion to create healing space and community building experience to FHIA.
robert l. terrell
first hill resident
Bob Terrell and his wife, Mary, moved to Skyline at First Hill in January, 2012. Bob was a practicing architect in Seattle for over 40 years, the majority of that time as project manager with Kirk Wallace and McKinley, NBBJ and TRA. His focus was on major university buildings on campuses throughout Washington and on commercial buildings in Washington and 24 other states. A few of the buildings for which he was project manager include the Seattle Center Playhouse (now Intiman Theater), the five Seattle bus tunnel stations, two Seattle high-rise office buildings, the John Fluke Manufacturing plant in Everett, the University of Washington Undergraduate Library, the Broadway Performance Hall, and thirty-six retail stores for AT&T. Since moving to First Hill, Bob has been an active participant in FHIA activities, particularly in land use and open space issues.