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BUILDING COMMUNITY AND MAKING CONNECTIONS Written by Elizabeth McCabe
(abridged version)
Photos by Jennifer Witz “In many ways, I think of myself as a community builder,” said Mercer Island resident Suzanne Zahr, who has lived here for the past decade. “In being so, I find that my personal and professional lives mesh together sometimes.” Suzanne, an architect and general contractor, has a storefront in the Town Center that has a front-end art gallery that she described as a vein to the local community. The projects that she design-builds also serve to connect others. “I contribute to Mercer Island as a literal and figurative community builder,” she said. “That’s just who I am personality-wise. I love bringing people together, whether socially or by building teams professionally.” During the pandemic, Suzanne reached out in support of fellow business owners and working moms trying to make it through. Suzanne credits her warm feelings of building community to her heritage. She explained, “My Lebanese/Palestinian roots and family upbringing instilled in me a sense of hospitality and cultural diversity. I’ve strived to be a warm and welcoming neighbor, friend and colleague, by hosting art receptions, fundraisers or social gatherings in my home and office/gallery. I also actively look for opportunities as a community leader, to ensure all voices are respected and heard. I will continue to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in our community, ensuring a safe, soulful and loving outcome for us all.” Suzanne’s quest for community also extends to her love for horses, which she found through her daughter.
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