Global Trade & Tariffs with the Port of Seattle's Executive Director

We are thrilled to invite you to an exclusive event featuring Steve Metruck, the Executive Director of the Port of Seattle and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). As a leader managing over $38 billion in regional business revenue and pioneering initiatives like the Pacific Northwest to Alaska Green Corridor, Mr. Metruck brings unparalleled expertise to navigating the complexities of global commerce.

In a rapidly evolving landscape, Steve has his hand on the pulse of trade, travel, logistics, and innovation within the supply chain of the Pacific Northwest as well as globally and he has graciously agreed to share his insights on;

• Global Trade Dynamics after ”Liberation Day”: how geopolitical shifts and technological advancements are reshaping global commerce as well as business in the Pacific Northwest

• Agile Logistics: insights for building resilient and responsive supply chains in an era of uncertainty

• Transforming Travel: innovations poised to revolutionize air and maritime passenger movement.

• Disruptive Innovation: Identifying and leveraging the technologies that will define future logistics.

• Local Economic Impact: how Port of Seattle and SeaTac support

This is your opportunity to understand the drivers of change directly from a visionary leader. Stephen Metruck’s extensive experience, from managing a massive economic engine to his distinguished career as a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Coast Guard, makes this a session you can't afford to miss.

Who’s Invited:

• HBS alumni (all programs)

• Ivy+ (Stanford, Wharton, Booth, Columbia, MIT, etc.)

• Harvard undergrad/grad alumni

We expect this event to sellout, so secure your place today.

Event Details

Date: Monday, September 15

Time: 6pm to 8:30pm

Location: Columbia Center, 5th Avenue, Seattle - 40th floor

Steve Metruck

Stephen P. Metruck is the Executive Director of the Port of Seattle and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), two the Pacific Northwest’s most vital economic engines for trade, travel, and logistics. He is in charge of one of the nation's largest airports, serving 52 million passengers in 2024, and oversees North America's largest maritime cargo shipping gateway through the Northwest Seaport Alliance.

He directs 2,135 employees, manages $617 million in annual operating expenses, and guides an ambitious $5.2 billion five-year capital improvement plan. Under his stewardship, Port operations support over 121,000 jobs and generate $38 billion in business revenue regionally.

Mr. Metruck has successfully steered transformative capital programs, including SEA's new International Arrivals Facility, and is a recognized global leader in decarbonizing port industries, initiating the Pacific Northwest to Alaska Green Corridor. His tenure is marked by strategic vision and impactful execution on a grand scale.

Prior to becoming Executive Director, Steve had an impressive 34-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard, retiring as a Rear Admiral (Upper Half). Steve Metruck has devoted his life to public sector leadership.

Our moderator Sheida Sahandy is a visionary leader at the intersection of governance, sustainability, and policy. Her personal mission is to accelerate impact and lead purpose-driven organizations through complex challenges, to the next level of performance and resilience. Sheida's leadership is characterized by her ability to create a compelling vision, align diverse stakeholders, foster partnerships, drive innovation, eliminate barriers, and achieve operational excellence.

With a career spanning esteemed international law firms, federal, state, and local governments, as well as the green technology startup sector, Sheida brings a wealth of experience and strategic insights. This diversity enables her to lead initiatives across sectors that yield lasting benefits for the ecosystem and the communities, organizations, and businesses which rely upon them.

Sheida holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley, a Juris Doctorate from Columbia University, and a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, where she focused on Climate Science and Policy.

Finding the 40th Floor: on the ground floor (aka 5th Ave street level), look for the HBS club sign and representative who will usher you to the 40th Floor Sky Lobby where the event will take place

Parking: the easiest most accessible parking is in the Columbia Center's parking garage, but the parking is relatively expensive (e.g. ~$20).  If you're looking to save some money and don't mind a <5min walk, past attendees have used the following locations

• Diamond Parking immediately across the street (https://maps.app.goo.gl/TTy315Gy5NCu9Dcr6) 

• Butler Garage two blocks away as some of the cheapest parking in the area (https://maps.app.goo.gl/wx7wyaveTX8VXWuz5)

• SeaPark Garage adjacent to Columbia Tower, Seattle Court parking where there's typically availablity after working hours (https://maps.app.goo.gl/LESDFFw86qWFffwQ9) 

Event Contacts

‬Kyle Buffenmyer - kylebuffenmyer@gmail.com - ‪+1.717.201.0064

Rob Sim - roberthuntsimonds@gmail.com - +1.804.339.7691