FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2019

MEDIA CONTACT: Julia Luna, 360.999.9673, julia.luna@psp.wa.gov

Laura Blackmore Named Executive Director of Puget Sound Partnership

OLYMPIA—Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Laura Blackmore as the new Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership. Blackmore will replace Director Sheida Sahandy, who is stepping down on May 3. 

“I am proud to leave the agency in the best shape it’s ever been, strong and focused,” said Director Sahandy. “Laura brings a great deal of experience, knowledge, and commitment to Puget Sound recovery to this role and I have full faith that she will continue lead the Partnership in the right direction”

Blackmore has spent her career successfully navigating complex natural resources management challenges in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to her recent time with the Partnership, Blackmore has worked in county-level government and in the private sector, where she was widely regarded as a skilled and highly collaborative facilitator who brought focus, clarity, and accountability to local and regional salmon recovery efforts. At the Partnership, Laura has substantially improved the strategic focus of the agency’s boards and re-engaged diverse partners in the recovery effort across Puget Sound.

Blackmore has been with the Partnership since 2015 and, in her tenure, has served in a number of roles, including Director of Partner Engagement and Boards Program Director. She currently serves as the agency’s Deputy Director. She has also represented the Partnership on the Governor’s Southern Resident Orca Task Force.

“Laura’s extensive experience with the Puget Sound Partnership, her longtime work with tribal governments, and her work on salmon recovery and water quality will position her well to lead the agency,” Governor Inslee said. “I know that Laura will build on the great work that Sheida and the staff have done to implement the Partnership’s mission. The agency is crucial to maintaining the health of one of Washington’s crown jewels.”

Blackmore holds a master’s of environmental management degree from Duke University and a bachelor’s of arts degree in geology from Williams College.

Blackmore’s appointment is effective May 4.

Photo of Laura Blackmore

About the Puget Sound Partnership

The Puget Sound Partnership is the state agency formed to lead the region’s collective effort to restore and protect Puget Sound. Working with hundreds of government agencies, tribes, scientists, businesses, and nonprofits, the Partnership mobilizes partner action around a common agenda, advances Sound investments, and tracks progress to optimize recovery.

For more information, go to www.psp.wa.gov.