Meet the PDA Leadership Team

A dynamic and visionary leader, Rachel Ligtenberg brings more than three decades of experience across both for-profit and non-profit sectors to Pike Place Market. She joined the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA) following a distinguished 30-year career with REI, where she held several senior leadership roles, including Vice President of Retail Operations.

As a committed steward of the Market, Rachel works every day to support the Market’s 500 small businesses and 450 residents through purpose-driven leadership, with community at the forefront of every decision. In her role as Executive Director, she oversees the operations, management, financial health, and strategic planning of Pike Place Market, ensuring it remains a thriving home for local farmers, artists, and small businesses and a supportive, inclusive community for its five social services and low-income senior residents.

Rachel’s leadership is grounded in purpose, inclusion, and service. Her vision is grounded in the Market’s historic Charter, reinforcing its role as both an economic engine for local entrepreneurs and a beloved gathering place that welcomes millions of visitors each year.

Sabina Proto is the Chief Financial Officer of the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA), bringing over 34 years of extensive experience in accounting, finance, and organizational fiscal management. For the past 26 years, she has overseen all of the financial operations and contributed to the organization’s strategic direction.

In her role, she is responsible for overseeing all accounting systems of the PDA, cash management, financial forecasting, operating and capital budgeting, insurance programs, pension plan administration, and the preparation and reporting of financial statements. In addition, she also directs the PDA’s annual financial audits, including independent audits, state audits, and federal OMB A-133 audits, for both the PDA and its discrete component units.

Sabina has led numerous multimillion-dollar financing transactions supporting property acquisitions, major renovations, and capital construction projects. Her expertise includes structuring and managing complex financial arrangements involving debt financing, New Markets Tax Credits and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, ensuring full compliance with all regulatory and reporting requirements.

She is proud to be part of the PDA and remains deeply committed to supporting its mission and long-term sustainability.

Erica Bates is the Chief People Officer for the Pike Place Market, PDA and has served as the primary Human Resources professional for the PDA since May 2004. Erica has worked in the Human Resources field for over 25 years and prior to joining the PDA held roles as a Regional Director of Human Resources roll for all western states as well as Canada and Mexico.

Erica holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Norfolk State University as well as SPHR credentials. Some of the primary responsibilities include setting culture standards, leading employee relations, compensation, labor negotiations and staffing for the PDA. The daily goals as the CPO are to meet and exceed established goals in a complex organization, while making high level decisions that benefit the Market.

Katie is a seasoned operations leader, passionate about driving positive change through challenging norms and consensus building.

Prior to joining the PDA team Katie spent 13 years in the personal care industry, including a turn-around effort for an aging local brand that resulted in 30% store count growth and 4x profitability improvement in four years.

Katie is a graduate of Western Washington University and Seattle University School of Law.

Brady Morrison serves as the Director of Operations at Pike Place Market, a role he has earned through over two decades of dedicated service. Beginning his career at the Market in May 2002 as a mechanic, Brady steadily advanced through the ranks, gaining hands-on experience and deep institutional knowledge.

As Director of Operations, he now oversees the Maintenance, Facilities, Parking, and Security departments, ensuring the day-to-day functionality and long-term stewardship of the PPM campus.

Over the past seven years, Brady has played a key role in managing and supporting numerous capital projects, balancing preservation needs with operational demands. He strives to be a caretaker of the Market and leads his teams with a commitment to collaboration, efficiency, and the continued vitality of one of Seattle’s most iconic landmarks.

Starting as a temporary replacement Systems Administrator in 2002, Joseph Strong over the past 23 years has designed, constructed, and installed every technology-based system used by the Pike Place Market, PDA.

These systems are utilized by every PDA department with some used by the PDA Council, the Market Constituency, commercial, residential, and Daystall tenants.

Physical systems include a computer network that connects every Market building, allowing all other managed systems to communicate. These range from PDA staff computers, over 250 security cameras, building mechanical systems, and 115 access-controlled elevators and doors. Managed software systems include Microsoft applications and cloud services, remote access, firewall and security software, property management and accounting software to name a few.

In addition, Joseph Strong has designed and coded custom programs for managing all Daystall permit information, maintaining records of all Security department activity as examples.

Zack has worked in Pike Place Market for the past 16 years in a variety of roles. He started his Market journey as a summer seasonal farm staffer, eventually moving on to lead the department as Farm Program manager, a position he held for 8 years.

More recently, Zack leads the Market’s Commercial Property Management team overseeing Pike Place Market’s 220 commercial tenants before moving to his current role as Director of Programs, overseeing the three departments which manage all 500 businesses.

Outside of the Market, he enjoys cooking, traveling and spending time with his family.

Madison Douglas is the Director of Marketing & Communications at the Market, where she leads the organization’s strategic marketing, branding, events and public relations efforts.

In this role, Madison oversees all external communications, digital strategy, and community engagement to promote and preserve the character and vitality of Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market. She works closely with Market businesses, local media, and partner organizations to amplify the stories of the Market’s diverse community including its farmers, artists, merchants, and residents.

Madison also drives high-impact campaigns and events that celebrate the Market’s legacy while supporting its mission as a public space and vital small business incubator in the heart of downtown Seattle.