About the Candidates
The Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA) Board of Directors approved the following candidates to be on the 2021 board election ballot for Districts 1, 3, 5, and At-Large. Voting is now open and closes on June 18 at 5 p.m. Click here to learn more about the voting process >>
District 1
Ekaterina Zakharova
How long have you resided in Issaquah Highlands? One year
Educational background: Master of Business Administration and Management. Small business owner in the business-to-customer sector for more than 25 years (14 in Seattle and 11 internationally), working directly with families to understand their needs and interests.
Association experience: Not provided.
Why would you like to serve as a director? I would like to volunteer my time and experience to help the community I started calling home in 2020. I have over 25 years of experience working directly with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds from all paths of life.
District 3
Rossie Cruz
How long have you resided in Issaquah Highlands? 17 years
Educational background: Not provided.
Association experience: Costco Volunteers Board of Directors (1998- 2007); Crofton Springs Neighborhood Committee (2007-present); IHCA Covenant Committee (2018-present); IHCA Board of Directors District 3 (2015-present).
Why would you like to serve as a director? I have a great interest in being involved with our community. After living here for 17 years, I still find the Highlands is a great community and neighborhood, and I will do my best to keep it going in the right direction. Maintaining our property values for homeowners is a key component for the whole community while also preserving our diverse community values.
District 5
Allison “Ali” Spietz
How long have you resided in Issaquah Highlands? One year
Educational background: Bachelor’s degree in social work from Seattle University. I have worked for the city of Mercer Island since 2001. I was the city clerk for 17 years and am now the chief of administration, overseeing customer service, information technology, communications, human resources, and youth and family services. I am also the risk manager and webmaster for the city.
Association Experience: I served on the Washington Municipal Clerks Association (WMCA) board from 2006‐2011 and as president in 2008‐2009. I served as president from 2005‐2010 of the Cedar River Montessori School Board. I served on the Genetics Advisory Committee for the Washington State Department of Health for six years as a consumer member providing input and expertise from my interest in and dedication to cancer awareness.
Why would you like to serve as a director? I have been visiting the Issaquah Highlands since 2004 when my sister and her husband purchased a townhome near Kirk Park. I have spent time at the neighborhood parks, attended events, and visited many shops and restaurants in the Highlands over the past 15 years. In June of last year, I sold my home in West Seattle and purchased a condo in Starpoint to be closer to my family and to live in a community. I love the sense of pride the residents who live here have, and I think I can be a voice for those who do not have the time to be fully involved in continuing to make the Highlands a great place to live. In addition, with almost 20 years of municipal experience, I can bring a diplomatic voice to the board and carefully navigate political situations.
Raj Thiagarajan
How long have you resided in Issaquah Highlands? 13 years
Educational background: Computer science from University of Wisconsin; MBA from Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia; business leader at Microsoft.
Association experience: Not provided.
Why would you like to serve as a director? I have been a resident for more than 13 years, enjoyed the community and what it offered to our family. Our kids are in college and I want to offer my time to the community.
At-Large
Bertan Aygun
How long have you resided in Issaquah Highlands? 7 years
Educational background: Not provided.
Association experience: IHCA board member (2021- present), IHCA Architectural Review Committee (ARC) member (2014-2021), Tanglewood-Klahanie Homeowners Association board member (2011-2016), Turkish American Cultural Association of Washington board member and treasurer (2008-2013, 501(c)3).
Why would you like to serve as a director? We plan to call this community home for a long time, so I’d like to continue being a part of the community and contribute to long-term planning and care for IHCA, taking into account feedback from other owners to ensure we all live in a place we love to call home.
Sanjay Mahajan
How long have you resided in Issaquah Highlands? 8 years
Educational background: MBA in Finance from DePaul University in Chicago.
Association experience: I currently serve on the Issaquah Highlands Community Association Architectural Review Committee and on the Issaquah Highlands Community Association Finance Committee. I also serve on the board of the Educational Foundation of the Washington Hospitality Association, Technical Advisory Board of South Seattle Community College, and on the board of Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking. In the past, I have served on the board of Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority, Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce, and the Hotel/Motel Advisory Board for the City of SeaTac. I regularly volunteer as guest lecturer at South Seattle Community College and at Highline College.
Why would you like to serve as a director? I really love living in the Highlands and would like to volunteer my time in continuing to enhance the living and working experience of the residents of our community. I am also interested in impacting educational and cultural programming, improving the safety in our neighborhood, and supporting local businesses.
IHCA Board of Directors Election Resources
Questions? Contact the IHCA by email or call 425-427-9257.
