Councilmember Claire Sumadiwirya moved to Bellevue over 30 years ago and immediately fell in love with the city. As one of the few Chinese American students in her school, she experienced bullying because of her accent, which inspired her early aspiration to become a human rights leader and advocate for people whose voices were overlooked. She studied sociology and business at the University of Washington before earning an MBA from Seattle University.
Councilmember Sumadiwirya has been dedicated to community service for a long time. She has supported more than 30 charitable organizations, served on seven nonprofit boards, and worked with survivors of human trafficking, refugees, and neurodivergent youth. Through these experiences, she realized that lasting change required involvement in local policymaking. After serving on the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission and the Open Space Equity Cabinet, she ran for the Bellevue City Council and won the election.
As a councilmember, she focuses on responsible budgeting, long-term planning, and understanding the needs of Bellevue’s diverse neighborhoods. She encourages young people to pursue what brings them joy. She believes that young people should explore different interests, volunteer, and build something of their own. Meaningful civic engagement begins with curiosity, experimentation, and the courage to try new things in life.
