Meet Your Board: Mari Horita

Each month we’re talking to a board member to help our members learn more about the men and women leading the Downtown Seattle Association. This month, we’re featuring Mari Horita.

Mari Horita is the President and CEO of ArtsFund. Since its founding in 1969, ArtsFund has supported more than 100 nonprofit arts organizations in King and Pierce Counties through grants totaling more than $79 million. The organization advocates on behalf of the sector, provides programs, services and trainings to build organizational capacity, and produces economic impact studies demonstrating the value of art. ArtsFund will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2019. Mari joined the DSA Board of Directors in 2016.

Why did your organization join DSA?

The arts are key to the vibrancy and character of downtown Seattle. Engaging and partnering with DSA advances ArtsFund’s mission of strengthening the community by supporting art.

How do you approach your role as a DSA board member?

As a key business and community leadership organization, DSA is a critical voice in the current conversation about the future health and prosperity of this region and ensuring no one is left behind.  The Board is responsible for helping shape that conversation and supporting the fantastic DSA staff in advancing those goals.

What gets you up in the morning?

Literally and figuratively, my daughter.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten?

“To thine own self be true.”

What is the best part of working downtown?

I love the energy of the downtown core and unique character and flavor of the different neighborhoods.  As a native Seattleite it’s been wonderful to witness the concurrent evolution and preservation of some of our city’s iconic gems, such as the Seattle Center, Pike Place Market, the Waterfront and South Lake Union.

What are your hobbies?

Playing in a string quartet (violin), traveling, cooking with my daughter, attending a wide range of arts and cultural events, and standing in the rain at soccer and ultimate [Frisbee] games.

If you had one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

Grateful.