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Suzana Sakay Appointed President and CEO of Washington Athletic Club

Prime Highlights: 

Sakay has worked at WAC for 14 years, holding various roles, including vice president of business excellence and development, director of wellness programs, and spa manager. 

Sakay succeeds Chuck Nelson, who retired after 13 years as CEO. 

Key Background: 

The Washington Athletic Club (WAC) in downtown Seattle has announced the appointment of Suzana Sakay as its new president and CEO, effective Friday. A long-serving member of the WAC team, Sakay has dedicated 14 years to the club in various roles, making her the eighth CEO in the organization’s 95-year history and the first female to hold the position. Sakay expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, “The WAC has a rich history of serving the Seattle community, and I am excited to lead the club as we continue to evolve and thrive in the years to come.” 

She succeeds Chuck Nelson, a former financial executive and NFL player, who retired after a 13-year tenure as CEO. Prior to her promotion, Sakay held the position of vice president of business excellence and development at WAC. Her extensive experience at the club also includes roles as director of wellness programs and spa manager. Beyond her work at WAC, Sakay is a lecturer at the University of Washington and served as a regional director for InSpa in Redmond for over nine years. Sakay’s leadership background also includes two years as an interpreter for the NATO peacekeeping mission following the Dayton Accords, which ended the Bosnian War. During this time, she met her husband, Robert, in Croatia. 

Maria Finlayson, chair of the WAC board, praised Sakay’s leadership, saying, “Suzana is an exceptional leader. Her proven track record of success, combined with her innovative vision, will guide the club into a new era of excellence.” The Washington Athletic Club, located at 1325 Sixth Ave., offers a range of amenities, including fitness studios, a basketball court, a pool, squash courts, as well as restaurants, a hotel, a spa, and a barbershop. Membership applications require two-member sponsors, though the club does not list its membership fees publicly.