After an extensive national search, the Port of Seattle has promoted longtime employee Elizabeth Leavitt to lead its work protecting and enhancing the environment, the port announced June 3.
The Senior Director for Environment and Sustainability is a newly created position leading a center of expertise that consolidates environmental, sustainability and planning functions.
Among the job’s responsibilities: the management of the port’s Environment and Sustainability department; management of the port’s vision for environmental efforts and sustainable operations including emissions reductions and estuary and soil remediation.
As the appointee to the position, Leavitt will report to the port’s Chief Operating Officer and will serve on the CEO’s executive leadership team.
Leavitt has worked for the port for more than 26 years, initially as a senior environmental program manager and, for the past seven years, as the director of aviation planning and environmental programs.
During her tenure, she has worked on projects at virtually all Port properties and facilities, from Shilshole Bay Marina to Sea-Tac Airport.
“It is impressive that, within the large candidate pool, the port’s own staff provided excellent people who rose to the top,” port COO Dave Soike said in a statement announcing Leavitt’s promotion.
Leavitt holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife resource management from West Virginia University and is past chair of the Airport Council – International World Environment Standing Committee.
