Meeting Gemma Valdez Daggatt, the first impression that one gets is that she's a class-act whatever the back-story—stylish, beautiful, poised and demure with a hint of edge to make her compelling and sexy. I liked that we both own the same fringe boots; I liked it even more that she wears hers to Burning Man. You heard me: a society lady burner. That's cool enough to make me want to say that I live in Seattle with that chick. She's a community builder and project manager and provides pro bono advice to non-profits on a variety of issues: real estate, strategic planning, leadership and fundraising. Her background is in construction, specializing in historical renovation and arts-related projects.

Her current appoinments include: The Spring Roll Co-Chair, Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda); Development Chair; United Nation Population Fund's American Committee; Space Planning Task Force, The Evergreen School; Co-founder, Washington Women for Choice.

Her inspiration to join the SCIDpda board and support the ID arose when she got to know Seattle's International District while working on the renovation of Union Station. Being Hapa, she wanted to build a relationship with the asian community that would help her and her family stay in touch with their roots. She joined the SCIDpda Council over 9 years ago. The longer that she has been involved, the more passionate she has become about PDA's vital work in the community. This is her 9th year on the board and she is now co-chairing the Spring Roll annual fundraiser. No matter what her future role may be with the Authority, she says that she will always find a way to help out.

As an activist, she focuses on increasing public awareness of underrepresented communities and groups. Her work with the PDA is a key part of this, as is her involvement with various women's rights organizations, from Planned Parenthood to NARAL. She co-founded Washington Women for Choice and is on the national board for the United Nations Population Fund. Past boards include the Wing Luke Asian Museum, Humanities Washington, and On the Boards.

Gemma is married to Russell Daggatt. The pair are soulmates in terms of their worldview and mutual love of exploring the globe. Between the two of them, they cover a wide range of philanthropy and political activism. Russ, a general partner at Denny Hill Capital, is the environmental activist of the family, currently on the board of Earthjustice and American Rivers. A long time entrepreneur, he is best known for his work with cellular pioneer Craig McCaw in various executive roles in Seattle and London. Drawing on his experience as a mountain-climbing and river-rafting guide, Russ earlier led the merger of the top two U.S. international adventure travel companies, Mountain Travel and Sobek Expeditions. Russ was selected as a “Global Leader of Tomorrow” by the World Economic Forum, and helps organize the annual  Strategic News Service “Future in Review” conference. Russ is a Harvard Law School graduate.

As a family, Gemma and Russ have two young daughters, and they think that exploring the world is an important part of raising global citizens. The girls started traveling at 6 months of age. They have visited Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the tsunami, had playdates at orphanages in Cambodia, cruised the Mekong, walked the banks of the Ganges, and spent Christmas Day at a teaching with the Dalai Lama in Daramsala. Their latest adventure was 6 weeks in Ecuador and Peru, where they taught English at an indigeneous community school, explored Machu Picchu and the Galapagos.

If you want to support the growth and preservation of the ID, please attend The Spring Roll Gala on Wednesday, April 27th at the Union Station Great Hall. For tickets go to www.idspringroll.org