Councilmember Rob Saka's Staff

Elaine Ikoma Ko
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Elaine (she/her) is pleased to join Councilmember Rob Saka’s team. Elaine brings experience in local government coming from the City’s ARTS office and previously serving as the Director of the Office for Women’s Rights under former Mayor Norm Rice. She was the founding Director of the Port of Seattle’s Office of Social Responsibility and served as Executive Director of InterIm Community Development Association in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District.
Elaine earned a B.A. in Communications from the University of Washington and an MBA from City University. A native Seattleite, she attended Seattle Public Schools and graduated from Cleveland High School. She is a long-time former resident of West Seattle and currently lives in South Park with her husband John.
Elaine can be seen around town at local plays and enjoys writing and leading group tours to Japan.

Ian Griswold
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Ian is a home-grown Seattleite and brings a diverse professional experience to Councilmember Saka's Office, having worked with the Washington Technology Industry Association and Seattle Police Foundation. He is a graduate of Boston College, UW’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, and earned his law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law. Outside of work, Ian enjoys traveling, watching college football (go UW Huskies!), and ‘geeking out’ on reality TV cooking shows!

Erik Schmidt
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Erik Schmidt was born and raised in the Seattle area and spent seven years working for the Victorian State Government in Melbourne, Australia, where he held a variety of roles focused on economic strategy, trade promotion, and investment attraction. Before that, he worked with the United Nations Capital Development Fund, contributing to programs aimed at fostering financial inclusion.
Erik recently relocated home with his husband, Jay, who is originally from Australia and runs a non-profit providing veterinary services to the pets of people experiencing homelessness. Erik is particularly passionate about supporting small businesses, drawing on his experience helping businesses of all sizes recover from the COVID-19 pandemic during his time in Australia.
Erik holds a master’s degree in International Business from the Cologne Business School in Germany and a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Santa Clara University.