
Shiv Rai, 26
Senior financial advisor, Merrill Lynch
HOMETOWN
Bellevue
RESIDENCE
Bellevue
FIRST JOB
Ski instructor
EDUCATION
University of Washington, bachelor’s in economics and international finance
BEST ADVICE HE EVER RECEIVED
Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
THEME SONG
“Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins
SUPERPOWER
Fly like Superman
Shiv Rai always seems to go the extra mile. He was born in India, grew up in the United Kingdom, and attended the University of Washington. In college, Rai worked full-time at a bank, which positioned him to be the youngest financial advisor at Merrill Lynch when he joined the firm in 2012. Now, he’s often coaching older colleagues. It’s a challenge that fuels his ambition.
“To win the confidence of all my peers, I’ve had to develop a deep knowledge of my industry, become proficient in my role, and demonstrate unwavering work ethic,” he said.
Outside work, Rai sets physical goals. Sometimes it’s 26.2 miles of pounding pavement to complete a marathon; other times it’s training for the grueling 8-mile climb to the summit of Mount Rainier. “The extra mile is a place filled with potential and opportunities,” he said. If he could be a superhero, he’d strap on a red cape and fly through the sky like Superman. Cue the John Williams theme song. — LF

Parker Sjolander, 26
Chief operations manager, Lil’ Jon Restaurant
HOMETOWN
Issaquah
RESIDENCE
Issaquah
FIRST JOB
Dishwasher
EDUCATION
University of Washington, bachelor’s in communications
BEST ADVICE HE EVER RECEIVED
In a world that’s ever-changing, some things remain the same. — Sjolander’s company slogan
THEME SONG
“Bow Down to Washington,” the University of Washington fight song
Parker Sjolander’s restaurant career began at the age of 14 with his first job as a dishwasher. Now 26, he’s moved up the ladder and is running a tight ship as chief operations manager at Bellevue’s Lil’ Jon Restaurant. But that first dishwashing job always will have a special place in his heart.
“That job has instilled in me many lessons that I fall back on today,” he said. “One lesson was simply the value of hard work. Oftentimes, it is the sweat and labor in the back that goes unseen, but is ultimately crucial in the flow of things.”
Sjolander also oversees the restaurant’s gifts to nonprofits, schools, and charitable events. To stay motivated, Sjolander constantly challenges himself to up his game.
“I am my biggest competitor, whether it is challenging myself to sell more of our infamous cinnamon rolls than the previous day, or pushing myself to meet new sales goals,” he said. — KM

Andrea Smith, 28
Designger, Demetriou Architects
HOMETOWN
Idaho Falls, Idaho
RESIDENCE
Kirkland
FIRST JOB
Drafter
EDUCATION
University of Idaho, master’s in architecture
BEST ADVICE SHE EVER RECEIVED
Find what sets you apart, and use it. — Smith’s husband
SUPERPOWER
To manipulate metal like Magneto.
Growing up, Andrea Smith was incredibly close to her architect grandfather, who taught her the tools of the trade and encouraged her to pursue a career in the field.
After graduating from the University of Idaho, Smith began her career — yes, as an architect — with her husband’s words in mind: “Find what sets you apart, and then use it.” So what sets Smith apart? Her devotion to her career, for one. She also volunteers for Architects Without Borders, a nonprofit that designs and implements ecologically sensitive and culturally appropriate projects.
Smith once worked in the architecture and engineering department at the University of Idaho, and now works as a designer at Demetriou Architects. When she isn’t designing buildings, she enjoys playing Frisbee with her dog; spending time with her husband, whom she met when she was 12 years old; and studying for the seven exams required to attain her professional architect license. — DF

Ben Smith, 27
Food and beverage manager, Salish Lodge and Spa
HOMETOWN
Kelso
RESIDENCE
Seattle
FIRST JOB
Dishwasher
EDUCATION
Washington State University, bachelor’s in wine business management; Court of Master Sommeliers, introductory sommelier certification
BEST ADVICE HE EVER RECEIVED
Work smarter, not harder. — Smith’s father
THEME SONG
“Superfly” by Curtis Mayfield
SUPERPOWER
Bottomless stomach
Ben Smith frequently thinks about the advice his father once gave him: Work smarter, not harder. He applies this advice to his job as the food and beverage manager at Salish Lodge, but he’s certainly motivated to work hard at the high-end resort. “Hospitality is where I’m meant to be,” he said. “I love providing people with special and memorable experiences, whether I am at work or at home.”
Smith likes to keep busy, and listens to music throughout the day to keep him inspired and focused. Wine is his business and his hobby, so Smith tastes wine both at work and off the clock. He also enjoys snowboarding, watching sports, cooking, and attending concerts.
He says his first job as a dishwasher is how he learned to love the fast-pace atmosphere of the restaurant business and to appreciate the people who work in it.
Smith supports Salish’s partnership with Camp Korey and spends his volunteer hours helping families deal with the stress of childhood illnesses. — ND

Sahara Suval, 26
Northwest program coordinator, Student Conservation Association
HOMETOWN
Stanwood
RESIDENCE
Renton
FIRST JOB
Performing fudge maker
EDUCATION
The Evergreen State College, bachelor’s in American history; Western Washington University, master’s in environmental education
BEST ADVICE SHE EVER RECEIVED
Always send a hand-written thank-you note. — A former colleague
THEME SONG
“On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons
SUPERPOWER
Take on an animal’s physical traits.
Chalk up Sahara Suval’s career path to the economic downturn. She studied journalism and political science in college, but upon graduation in 2010, she found that jobs in those fields were sparse. So she became a trail maintenance worker with the Washington Conservation Corps.
“It was the best three months of my life at the time,” Suval said. “I learned it was really important to be outside and to be a steward for these places that are part of our national legacy.”
The experience convinced Suval that she wanted to become an environmental advocate, so she returned to graduate school and got a master’s in environmental education. Today, she is the Northwest program coordinator for the Student Conservation Association.
Suval’s job is to expose youth to the outdoors and get them involved early in conservation projects. “We’re told that a lot of our climate issues are a problem for the next generation,” Suval said. “What better to do than to help that generation?”
Her environmental bent doesn’t mean Suval plans to just plant trees. She views her work as multidisciplinary; an ecosystem issue also can be an economic or political issue. Thus, Suval’s mulling a future in politics, in which she could more broadly affect her own environment. — JB

Makayla Thom, 22
Owner, Heritage Blossoms
HOMETOWN
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
RESIDENCE
Tukwila
FIRST JOB
The Rose Flower Shop
EDUCATION
High School online via Idaho Virtual Academy
BEST ADVICE SHE EVER RECEIVED
Hold my head high, follow my dreams and do what I love. Otherwise, I’ll never get ahead. — Thom’s parents
THEME SONG
“Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
SUPERPOWER
To turn into a cat
Many 22-year-olds are wrapping up college or trying to land that first job. Not Makayla Thom. She’s already got a job — at a business she owns. “When I put my mind to something, I don’t back down,” she said. When she acquired Heritage Blossoms in Renton, Thom turned an adage into reality: Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.
Thom started working at then-Heritage Flowers after moving to the area from Grand Forks, North Dakota, three years ago. The owner could easily tell she had potential and a great desire to have her own place. So in July 2014, at just 20 years old, Thom took over and renamed the company.
Like many small-business owners, Thom is competing with companies far larger than her own, so a big part of her role is educating consumers about the value of buying from local florists.
“People just order flowers online without thinking about the shop that prepares and delivers the arrangement. If they call directly, they’ll get better service and build a relationship with a local business,” she said.
She’s become a great artist — her customers say she knows how to make people feel loved through her floral designs. After work, Thom enjoys paddleboarding and wakeboarding. She also volunteers for the humane society, at local charities, and at church functions. — ND

Kristina Valiani, 25
CEO, The Beauty of Hope
HOMETOWN
Federal Way
RESIDENCE
Bellevue
FIRST JOB
Restaurant hostess
EDUCATION
Aesthetician program at Gary Manuel Aveda Institute
BEST ADVICE SHE EVER RECEIVED
You can’t have what you want while doing whatever you want. — Pastor Kevin Gerald
THEME SONG
“Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
SUPERPOWER
Flying
Entrepreneurship wasn’t an accident for Kristina Valiani. Years before founding The Beauty of Hope, which sells soy candles, she envisioned herself starting a business, and was attending women’s leadership conferences as a teenager. It was at one of those conferences that Valiani, then 17, learned about modern slavery.
“When I learned that sex trafficking was happening in our community and how low the awareness was, I began to research and support organizations that were working to bring awareness and end human trafficking,” she said. “When I began to write my business plan, I knew giving back would be the heart of The Beauty of Hope’s culture and that our cause would be to bring awareness and end human trafficking.”
Ten percent of Valiani’s revenues go to REST, a nonprofit in Seattle that advocates for victims of the sex trade. Short-term sacrifice for a greater good is a theme Valiani applies to business, relationships, and fitness. “You can’t live your life by what only feels right in that moment. When my goals are clear and I know the why behind each of them, putting in the hard work becomes easier.” — JB

Elsa Walker, 27
Event planner and designer, Juliet + Lou
HOMETOWN
Maple Valley
RESIDENCE
Issaquah
FIRST JOB
Soccer referee
EDUCATION
Seattle Pacific University, bachelor’s in individual and family development
BEST ADVICE SHE EVER RECEIVED
Always show kindness, as you don’t always know what someone else is going through. — college roommate
THEME SONG
“I’m So Excited” cover by Le Tigre
SUPERPOWER
The ability to remember everyone’s name
Combine Cher Horowitz, Kate Hudson, and Leslie Knope, and you might get someone like Elsa Walker. Walker started Juliet + Lou with her sister, Hannah, in January 2015. Since then, the business has grown, and she has been able to combine her passions of helping people and party planning.
“Planning and designing events to celebrate people has been one of my greatest joys in life,” she said. “I love the rush of meeting with clients, drilling down into what they want their wedding to look like, and then finding a way to turn that into a reality.”
But life isn’t one big party, and Walker knows that firsthand. As a volunteer visitation supervisor for City Ministries Child Placement Agency in Kirkland, she helped adopted children spend supervised time with their biological families. More recently, she volunteered as team captain for the Columbia Tower Climb to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a cause close to her heart.
She’s a passionate creative, a focused entrepreneur, and a small-business owner who really loves a good party. — MC

Sara Waltemire, 26
Event services manager, Meydenbauer Center
HOMETOWN
Albuquerque
RESIDENCE
Seattle
FIRST JOB
Starbucks barista
EDUCATION
University of Oregon, bachelor’s in journalism
BEST ADVICE SHE EVER RECEIVED
Not to stress out over the little things and not take myself too seriously. — Waltemire’s mother
SUPERPOWER
Teleportation
For the past two years, Sara Waltemire has been the event services manager for Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, where she manages two departments, and works with people from all backgrounds and business verticals.
“I love the fast pace of the industry and the fact that I always get to meet new people and do different things,” Waltemire said. “My current role really suits this love because one minute I can be reviewing the menu for an event, and the next minute I can be in one of our meeting rooms helping to transform the space from one setup to the next.”
While in college at the University of Oregon, Waltemire was involved as an intern and volunteer with the March of Dimes and the Portland Art Museum. She stays involved with her college activities by participating in the March for Babies walk. She enjoys volunteer service because it’s a way to get involved in her community by helping out.
A fan of the local food scene, Waltemire often can be spotted around town at restaurants like El Gaucho or Lot No. 3. She enjoys traveling across the globe, but she’s a dedicated Northwest explorer, too, who loves spending time at destinations such as Whidbey Island and the San Juan islands. — KM

Katie Walvatne, 24
General manager, Thinkspace
HOMETOWN
Kenmore
RESIDENCE
Seattle
FIRST JOB
Dog trainer
EDUCATION
Western Washington University, bachelor’s in business management and communications
BEST ADVICE SHE EVER RECEIVED
The times when you crash hard truly expose your character and what you are capable of overcoming and achieving. — Peter Chee
THEME SONG
“Lionhearted” by Porter Robinson
SUPERPOWER
Teleportation
If you think interpersonal communication is hard, try communicating with 30 dogs in one room. Katie Walvatne knows firsthand this is no easy task: Her first job was training dogs. Commanding the attention of a room full of pups taught her patience, communication skills, and a new way of listening.
Like many of her former students, Walvatne has boundless positivity and energy.
“I love finding ways to shine light on other people’s passions,” she said. “Connecting with other humans is an enormous source of energy in my life.” That energy is channeled into her job at the Thinkspace coworking office in Redmond, training for marathons, singing karaoke, jumping rope, and plotting to get on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. What energy is left, Walvatne pours into volunteer efforts such as supporting individuals going through treatment for eating disorders. — JK

Josh Woodbridge, 26
Bar manager, Lot No. 3
HOMETOWN
Renton
RESIDENCE
Renton
FIRST JOB
Pizza maker
EDUCATION
Hazen High School
BEST ADVICE HE EVER RECEIVED
Lead by setting an example, and earn the respect of your peers through hard work. — Leadership camp
THEME SONG
“Stranglehold” by Ted Nugent
SUPERPOWER
Speak every language fluently
Josh Woodbridge’s hospitality career started when he was a teenager making pizza. In this role, he learned how to multitask and keep customers happy. Both skills are critical to his current role as the bar manager at one of Bellevue’s hippest spots.
Woodbridge has cultivated a love for cocktails and spirits, and shares his knowledge with coworkers in his weekly “booze classes.”
“I want to make sure that every guest who comes in has the ability to enjoy those spirits to the fullest,” Woodbridge said. “That’s where my knowledge comes into play.” He put that knowledge to the test this past summer on a trip to Kentucky. There, he and two coworkers visited Knob Creek to hand-select two barrels of bourbon for Heavy Restaurant Group, the parent company of Lot No. 3.
Woodbridge said he enjoys the creativity and flexibility of the service industry, which often allows him the freedom to pursue personal goals. On his days off, he can be found, or not found, fishing and camping in the mountains surrounding Puget Sound. In the fall, his outdoor focus shifts to bow hunting and traveling whenever possible. — MC
Come celebrate the 30 Under 30 honorees with us on Sept. 15 at Cast Iron Studios. Tickets available now.