The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) is pleased to announce the 2026 Winter Speaker Series, “Building a Port for the Future.” Hosted in partnership with leaders from the Port of Seattle, the Northwest Seaport Alliance, and the U.S. Coast Guard, this year’s series will explore how ports shape economic opportunity, community well-being, and environmental resilience across the region.

Running from January 15 through February 26, the series brings together senior executives, commissioners, environmental planners, SMEA alumni, and federal sector leadership for weekly conversations on the challenges and opportunities facing modern maritime systems. This series invites students and community members to engage directly with practitioners working at the forefront of maritime governance and innovation.

The series is co-organised by SMEA faculty Steve Metruck and Dave Fluharty, both of whom bring deep professional experience and long-standing relationships across maritime agencies.

Seminars will be held from 12 pm – 12:50 pm on Thursdays from January 15th – February 26th in the Marine and Environmental Affairs Building, Room 268. The speaker series is open to the public. Please contact smeast@uw.edu for the Zoom link.

2026 Speaker Lineup:

January 15
Maritime Infrastructure & Global Trade
John Wolfe, CEO, Northwest Seaport Alliance & Tong Zhu, Chief Commercial & Strategy Officer, Northwest Seaport Alliance

January 22
The Port as a Civic Engine
Executive Director Steve Metruck, Port of Seattle & Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa, Port of Seattle

January 29
Maritime Transportation System: Safety & Security
Captain Mark McDonnell, Sector Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Puget Sound

February 12
Marine Energy & Decarbonization
Steve Metruck with the Port of Seattle Environment & Sustainability Center of Excellence
Featuring Sandy Kilroy (SMEA alum), Senior Director, and Alex Adams (SMEA alum), Senior Manager, Environmental Programs

February 19
Environmental Stewardship & Marine Life
Featuring Jon Sloan, Senior Manager, Kathleen Hurley, Senior Environmental Program Manager, and Delaney Cyphers (Hershman Fellow and SMEA alum)

February 26
Economic Impact & Community Equity
Featuring Bookda Gheiser, Senior Director, Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
and Andy Gregory (SMEA alum), Senior Program Manager, Maritime Industry Engagement