Councilmember 4/1/25-12/31/27
Claire Sumadiwirya, a Bellevue business owner involved in several social causes, was appointed in April 2025 to the seat on the City Council vacated by Janice Zahn. In November of that year she was elected to serve through Zahn’s original term date of Dec. 31, 2027.
Sumadiwirya has lived in Bellevue for more than 30 years and owns a small business downtown. She grew up in the Bridle Trails neighborhood and currently lives downtown with her three children. When interviewed by the council about her interest in the appointment, Sumadiwirya said her priorities include public safety, education, sustainable growth and quality of life.
On the council, Claire is council liaison to the Arts Commission and Special Events Committee. Her other council assignments include the King County Eastrail Regional Advisory Council and the Puget Sound Regional Council Economic Development District Board.
Claire is the founder and CEO of Bellden Ventures, which opened Bellden Café downtown in 2017. The cafe has contributed proceeds from its sale of specialty coffee, gourmet food and lifestyle products to over 30 charities. Her focus has been on building social enterprises that enable workforce training and that deliver a positive economic impact. Prior to Bellden Ventures, she worked in a variety of roles across finance, marketing, real estate, media and global business relations.
Sumadiwirya serves on the King County Open Space Equity Cabinet, Bellevue School Foundation and Overlake Medical Center Foundation. Prior to her appointment to the council, which necessitated her resignation from them, Councilmember Sumadiwirya served on the Bellevue Downtown Association, PorchLight and Visit Bellevue. She led community engagement and program development at the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission and was briefly executive director of the BelRed Arts District.
Sumadiwirya has a Master of Business Administration degree in accounting and finance from Seattle University and double bachelor’s degrees in business and sociology from the University of Washington.
Council Assignments and Appointments
- King County Eastrail Regional Advisory Council
- Arts Commission Liaison
- Puget Sound Regional Council Economic Development District Board
- King County Mental Illness Drug Dependency Advisory Committee
- Sound Cities Association King County Affordable Housing Committee
- Association of Washington Cities Legislative Priorities Committee
Community Service
- LEOFF 1 Disability Board, Alternate
- Sound Cities Association King County Affordable Housing Committee Alternate
- Special Events Committee Liaison
- King County Open Space Equity Cabinet
- Bellevue School Foundation and Overlake Medical Center Foundation
- Bellevue Downtown Association
- PorchLight
- Visit Bellevue
- King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission
Employment
- Bellden Ventures, founder and chief engagement officer
- BelRed Arts District Community Alliance, executive director
- Businesses Ending Slavery & Trafficking, corporate relations manager
Education
- Seattle University, Master of Business Administration, Accounting and Finance
- University of Washington, Bachelor of Arts, Business and Sociology