CIDBIA Announces New Executive Director, Tuyen Than

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 11, 2025 

Contact: Jeff Liang, CIDBIA, jeff@cidbia.org 

Seattle, WA – The Board of Directors of the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Executive Director, Tuyen Than, following a search process that included input from community members, businesses, and other stakeholders. 

Tuyen Than (she/her) has lived and worked in the Chinatown-International District (C-ID) for over 10 years. Her commitment to community engagement, business advocacy, and neighborhood vitality is evident in her extensive work on community initiatives, cultural events, small business support, public policy, and district advocacy. 

“Throughout this process, we prioritized community input and transparency.  We had several great candidates for this position, and Tuyen stood out for her creativity, deep relationships in the C-ID, and her ability to engage the community in big-picture efforts. As Executive Director of the CIDBIA, Tuyen will lead with energy, enthusiasm, integrity, and inclusiveness” said Barry Blanton (he/him), CIDBIA Board Chair. 

For almost a decade, Tuyen has lived and co-owned a small business in the C-ID, serving as Director of Operations and Co-Owner of the local creative studio, Drag & Drop Creative. In this role, she has developed extensive experience in marketing and communications and in 2022, the studio was honored with the International Examiner Community Voice Award. Through Drag & Drop Creative and her longstanding connection to the neighborhood, Tuyen has firsthand experience in accessing small business support and actively advocating for the C-ID.  

As Tuyen steps into her role as Executive Director of the CIDBIA, she is stepping away from Drag & Drop Creative and relinquishing her ownership stake to fully dedicate herself to the work of the CIDBIA and the C-ID. 

In 2016, Tuyen co-founded and expanded the Chinatown-International District Block Party, a grassroots cultural event that now draws over 5,000 attendees annually. Held beneath the I-5 freeway bridge, the event transforms an overlooked concrete space into a vibrant cultural hub. Through her creative and strategic leadership, Tuyen has played a key role in activating the neighborhood and generating economic opportunities for local businesses through large-scale community engagement. 

“As someone who lives and works in the C-ID, I care deeply about this neighborhood and its future,” said Tuyen Than. “I’m honored to step into this role and excited to build on the CIDBIA’s legacy of community advocacy and service. Together, we’ll continue to support small businesses, elevate culture, and ensure that everyone who calls the C-ID home feels seen, safe, and supported."

Tuyen will lead critical initiatives in the coming year, including the CIDBIA’s assessment rate refresh—a process that will shape the future of neighborhood investments in public safety, sanitation, and small business support. Her leadership will also guide CIDBIA through continued partnerships with the City of Seattle and other stakeholders to ensure the voices of the C-ID are heard and represented.  

Jeff Liang will continue to serve as Interim Executive Director until Tuyen’s first day as Executive Director on May 12th, 2025. 

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About the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) 

The Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the economic vitality, cleanliness, and safety of Seattle’s historic C-ID neighborhood.