Most people know Pike Place Market for its flying fish, fresh flowers and famous views. We know it for something else: the people. Pike Place Market is more than a historic landmark. It’s a community of people who live, work, and come together every day, and they are the heart of everything the Pike Place Market Foundation does.
In fact, they’re the reason we exist. Separate from Market operations, the Foundation connects the needs of individuals within the Market community to the critical resources they need to pursue opportunities, reach their goals and live their best lives. Alongside our partners, we help open doors to fresh food, healthcare, housing, education and childcare, economic stability, and social connection. Because a healthy life isn’t built on any one of these things. It’s built on all of them together.
That work has never been stronger. This past year was one of the most impactful in the Foundation’s history. We increased investment in our five legacy service partners, to more than $1.5 million, sustaining the work our community relies on every day. In keeping with our mission to identify and deliver upon emergent community needs, we also just completed our first round of 2026 Farm Fund flood grants, distributing more than $370K to 52 farmers. Dedicated supporters provided the funds to make these timely investments possible.
Because of the generosity and engagement of our donors, volunteers, partners and staff, more people put fresh food on the table, more farmers and small business owners received the support they needed to grow, and more of our community members found care, stability and connection at the Market. Families continued to give their children a strong start through early learning and childcare, and seniors continued to thrive in the place they call home. We carry this momentum into an exciting next chapter.
Today, we’re thrilled to share who will help lead this critical work.
Please join us in welcoming Jennifer Tisdel Schorsch as the Foundation’s new Executive Director.
Jennifer was the unanimous choice of our Board of Directors after a comprehensive search. Throughout the process, she stood out for her strategic leadership, collaborative spirit, commitment to community, and proven ability to build partnerships that strengthen organizations and expand their reach. Jennifer’s roots are in the Pacific Northwest, and she brings a genuine love for Pike Place Market and a deep respect for the people at its heart.
Jennifer’s experience spans more than 30 years of executive leadership across the nonprofit and private sectors. Most recently, she served as President of Water.org, where she led the organization through a period of significant growth, enabling more than 40 million people around the world to gain access to safe water and sanitation. Earlier in her career, she held executive leadership roles at Starbucks during its expansion from 150 stores to a global company, building meaningful partnerships in the communities it served. She is also a longtime volunteer and Board member for Seattle-area organizations, including Global Partnerships, The Bush School, IslandWood and Seattle Children’s Museum. She holds a BA, summa cum laude from Dartmouth College and MBA from Harvard Business School.
Serving others and driving positive impact inspire me. I’m thrilled to contribute my experience to the Market community, within my beloved hometown. I have tremendous respect and appreciation for the people at the heart of the Market and for the Foundation’s decades-long role in helping this community thrive.
It’s an honor to join such a deeply committed team and passionate partners to nurture this vibrant and treasured community. With humility, gratitude, and excitement, I seek to build upon the legacy of impact made by countless committed individuals before me. I will listen and learn and carry forward the community insights and experience, both deepening and broadening partnerships to create a meaningful new chapter. ~ Jennifer Tisdel Schorsch
In the past two years, we’ve listened more intently to the voices that challenge and guide us, deepened our engagement with community partners, and strengthened the practices that guide how we show up for this neighborhood. That commitment to listen, learn, and grow will remain central to our mission as we carry it forward.
Jennifer joins us at a time of strength and purpose. She shares our belief that the Foundation is at its best when the whole Market community is heard, valued and thriving, and she has the experience and heart to carry that belief into everything we do next. — Jessica Carso, Board Chair
In the weeks ahead, Jennifer will be out in the Market, meeting our residents, vendors, partners and supporters, and listening to what matters most to them. There is so much good work underway, and so much more ahead.
Thank you for being part of this work. The next chapter starts now, and we invite you to shape it with us.