August 22, 2025

Washington Roundtable

Washington Roundtable named Rachel Smith as the organization's next president, effective Oct. 1. Smith will transition out of her current role as president and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. The Seattle Metro Chamber has appointed Gabriella Buono, the Chamber's current chief impact officer, to serve as interim president and CEO and the board of trustees will launch a search for its next permanent top executive. Smith has served as president and CEO of the Seattle Metro Chamber since 2021, where she grew the organization's membership, collaborated with local governments on major initiatives focused on regional recovery, transportation, housing, and championed small and minority-owned businesses. Smith also launched The Index, a survey measuring voters' priorities, a resource to understand where business and voters' views align. Smith brings more than two decades of experience in government affairs, policy, operations, and advocacy, including 13 years serving in local and regional government. She's held leadership roles in local and regional government, as deputy county executive and chief of staff to King County Executive Dow Constantine, as well as government and community relations roles at Sound Transit and in the administration of former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. Washington Roundtable is a nonprofit organization comprised of senior executives of major private sector employers in Washington state. Founded in 1882, the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is an independent organization representing a regional workforce of approximately 750,000.