On June 5, members of the LGBTQ business community came together to celebrate this year’s Business of Pride Outstanding Voices, selected by the Puget Sound Business Journal for the 10th year. This was my second year attending as a member of the press.
In the grand ballroom of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, fifteen business leaders were honored, including Roger Nyhus, former CEO of Nyhus Communications, who served as President Biden’s Ambassador to Barbados. Nyhus received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and his face graced the cover of the June 6–12 issue of PSBJ. Here is a portion of his heartfelt and humorous acceptance speech:
“This is the most meaningful and most significant [award], and I’m really, really proud to be here. I want to thank the partners that made this business thrive possible—GSBA, it’s an amazing organization. I think it’s probably the most effective chamber in the country, bar none—regardless if you’re LGBTQI, ally, straight—you are the best.
I want to tell you a few stories from my time in Barbados, but the theme throughout this quick chat—yes, it will be quick—is fierce women. Fierce women are a constant theme in my life and the reason I’m here today. The two fiercest—my mom and my grandma—are no longer with us, but I know they’re watching me.
They were Native American women—strong, independent—you know the type. They would’ve said, ‘Why are you going there? Where even is that?’ And honestly, I said the same when I got offered the position by the White House.
When you’re a billionaire, you get to choose where you go as an ambassador. When you’re not, you don’t. And the rule of thumb is: if you get asked, you say yes immediately.
I got the call—a 202 number. The woman on the line said, ‘Roger, thank you for your interest, your hard work…’ It sounded like a letdown. I started shutting down. Then she said, ‘We met with the President on Friday, and he would like you to be his next U.S. Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada.’
I heard ‘Barbados’—and I knew Barbados. So I said yes. Immediately. She said, ‘You can think about it overnight.’ I said, ‘No need—I’ve been waiting a year.’ And then it took another year to get confirmed.
As I was leaving Barbados, someone on my team asked, ‘Would you be an ambassador again?’ And I said yes—under two conditions: I don’t have to raise money for anyone, and I never have to go through Senate confirmation again. So… I will not be an ambassador again.
A lot of people ask why I was chosen. There aren’t many ambassadors from Seattle. I have some theories: I’m Native American (a member of the Chinook Indian Tribe), I’m an entrepreneur, I’m from the Northwest… and I’m gay.
And yes, I asked, ‘Are you choosing me because I’m gay?’ They said, ‘No—we’ve got enough gay ambassadors.’”
GSBA Chair Ilona Lohrey was also honored. As a German-Italian immigrant, her voice and leadership are more vital than ever. She shared:
“I’m really honored to receive this award. And kudos to all the immigrants here. I’m an immigrant myself—first generation. I’m German-Italian, moved here in 1996. Met my partner—next year we’ll celebrate 30 years together.
I’m a child of entrepreneurs, and that spirit is in me. I used to own a couple of businesses, went into business banking, and eventually returned to the U.S. after managing my family’s business in Germany.
I didn’t want to go back to corporate or open another business. So I started at GSBA. Louise said, ‘You’re overqualified, but we have a front desk opening.’ I said, ‘I don’t care, let’s do it.’
And look at me now. I’ve managed many teams, but this is the best one ever. When you trust your team and give them the space to do what they do best—you can move mountains.
Let’s continue to be kind to each other and show grace during the ups and downs. Happy Pride, and thank you.”
Terra Plata’s Linda Di Lello Morton was also honored and used her moment to remember her late wife, Chef Tamara Murphy:
“I’m humbled to be honored alongside such amazing people. I dedicate this to my late partner, my wife in all things—Tamara Murphy.
Everything I’ve done—every accomplishment—I couldn’t have done it without her. We were together for over 25 years.
I first connected to GSBA through Louise Chernin in the late ’90s. I quickly learned what a truly inclusive and safe community feels like.
When we opened Terra Plata 15–16 years ago, our North Star was community—a place to gather, to celebrate, to belong. Tamara always said, ‘Through this love, I feed people.’ And she did.
We hosted so many events—campaigns for marriage equality in 2012, fundraisers for the LGBTQ Victory Fund.
During COVID, we thought we’d lose everything. But friends rallied, we pivoted, and we made food for people in need. Some of you in this room drove food to families. One guy named Matt ordered a steak sandwich and added a $500 donation.
I’m grateful for that village—and especially for Tamara, who helped me find purpose in feeding people and building community. Happy Pride, and thank you so much.”
Other Business Leaders Honored Included:
- Edgar Longoria (Entre Hermanos)
- Jaimee Marsh (FEEST)
- Todd Shively (Ensemble)
- Anthony Varona (Seattle University School of Law)
- Debra George (Discover Burien)
- Jeffrey Pelletier (Board & Vellum)
- Vicky Slade (Davis Wright Tremaine)
- Charlie Hunts (Charlie’s Queer Books)
- Gary Szeredy (The Hall Group)
- Emily Nee (Brooks Running)
- Rocky Fong (JP Morgan Chase)
- Esther Lucero (Seattle Indian Health Board)
- Leah Koshiyama (Salesforce)
