Suzanne Zahr Confirmed on MI Design Commission for 2nd Term.

September 1, 2021

On August 31, 2021, the City Council confirmed Suzanne Zahr as one of the seven Design Commissioners for Mercer Island for a second term. As an architect with civil engineering background, Suzanne fills one of the seats as a professional member. She has established a Design/Build firm on Mercer Island under her name and SZ Build, bringing over 20 years of experience that includes time with NBBJ, Olson Kundig, Starbucks, and Amazon (as an IA consultant). She is excited to continue providing her expertise in design and architecture through this volunteer position.

Established in 1972, the Design Commission board is a group of volunteers who each serve for four years. Each commissioner is confirmed by the majority vote of the City Council. The Design Commissioners serve as an advisory board to City Council, providing expert advice on design matters related to the City’s commercial buildings in the Mercer Island Town Center.

MInext - Interview with Suzanne & Josiane

February 5, 2021

Meet Suzanne Zahr, the owner of an architect-led Design/Build firm on Mercer Island, and Josiane Flaubert, founder of PICHA, a visual content provider specializing in Afrocentric imagery.

Special Thanks to the MInext campaign, sponsored by the City of Mercer Island & the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce for, for featuring locally owned, small businesses like ours, as we rebuild after the impacts of COVID-19

MInext: Small Business Saturday

November 27, 2020

Wikipedia defines Small Business Saturday as “an American shopping holiday held during the Saturday after Thanksgiving” between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It is a day set aside specifically to encourage Americans to make holiday purchases from small brick and mortar businesses in their area.

Whether online, curbside, safely in-store, or highlighting your favorite small business on social media, you can help make an impact on your community by shopping small this Saturday. Check out MInext to learn more about Mercer Island business owners ‘behind the mask’.

Fed up? Outraged? Overwhelmed? You're not alone.

October 1, 2020

Established in 2020, O.SH!TT is born from one mother’s frustration, anger and a desire to scream out loud over the devastation caused by the pandemic, race/gender inequities, ongoing political corruption and the climate crisis, to name a few. Heartbroken, she sought solace and an opportunity to safely check-in, blow off steam and trade survival secrets with fellow moms she admired and trusted.

By simply creating the time and space, O.SH!TT invites all caring, beautiful and intelligent women to self-organize in small groups, garner strength and inspiration from one another (even in respectful disagreement), amplify their voices, and create a safe harbor of humor, hope and empathy in pursuit of a brighter future.