Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1524796
SUMMER / FALL 2024 31 and my grandfather was an engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. ere's such a broad expanse of issues and topics that you tackle in the public sector. ere's always something new to learn." From Pittsburgh to pizza Aer 10 years in the Centennial State, Maria turned her eyes east to Pittsburgh, where she completed a master's in public policy and management at Carnegie Mellon University, then moved to Seattle, where she returned to the public sector as a senior economist at Seattle Public Utilities. Nowadays, Maria serves as Manager of Rates & Financial Planning at Seattle Public Utilities. She also gives her time and expertise to outside organizations as a member of the Seattle University Albers advisory board for Finance and as a board member for the Seattle City Employee's Retirement System. To top it all off, you might even catch her mixing margaritas or slinging pizza on the line at one of the two Zeeks restaurants she and Troy own. "My par- ents taught me to expect to work hard and never stop growing," Maria says of the values her dad, Sam, and mom, Kar- en, instilled in her and her sisters, Missy and Megan, also WAC members. Family remains a powerful presence in Maria's life. Sam and Karen moved from the Portland area to Seattle to be closer to their daughters and also joined the WAC. e extended family enjoys group dinners in Torchy's, where three generations gather for fun-filled Maria Finlayson Member since 2010 In The Know Committee 2011–2015 Vice Chair 2013–2015 Program Board 2013–2018 Chair 2016–2017 Family Activities Committee Chair 2015–2016 Food & Beverage Committee Chair 2019–2020 Finance Committee 2016–2021 Chair 2020–2021 HR & Benefits Committee Treasurer 2020–2021 House Committee Chair 2021–2022 Membership & Marketing Committee Chair 2022–2023 Audit Committee Chair 2023–2024 Board of Governors Chair Elect 2023–2024 A goodwill spirit Maria's ability to gather good groups around her grows from a deep dedica- tion to giving back. e eldest of three daughters, she grew up in Tigard, Ore- gon, where working with others was an integral part of her life and family ethos. Early memories include serving lunch at the local senior center. "I've volunteered for as long as I can remember," Maria says. "e value of working with others was instilled in me at a young age." Maria's work ethic and curiosity about the world led her to pursue a degree in engineering at University of Denver in Colorado. When she took a business class on a lark, Maria found her passion in economics. "Real-world applications of econom- ics resonated with me," she says about the degree switch that would carry the rest of her career. Maria got her first taste of real-world policy development as a college soph- omore when she served as economic intern to Colorado Gov. Bill Owens. Post-graduation, that internship materi- alized into a job offer she couldn't refuse. She spent the next seven years working in the governor's office in Colorado's state capitol building. "Because I was there for so long, I helped develop policy, saw it enacted into legislation, and witnessed programs mature and grow," she recalls. "at was very rewarding." Public sector work runs in Maria's family. "We have a long history in public service," she says. "My mom was an ac- countant with the Treasury Department Continued on page 33 " Maria holds a wonderful perspective of the whole Club and brings a strong personal, pragmatic lens to the role of Chairman. " — Chuck Nelson, WAC President & CEO