Experience Olympia & Beyond, the official destination marketing organization for Thurston County, has selected Shauna Stewart as its CEO.
Stewart has served as interim CEO since December 2025, providing leadership and strategic direction for the organization, Experience Olympia & Beyond said in a news release.
Her selection as permanent CEO for Experience Olympia & Beyond comes after a national search conducted by the organization's hiring committee.
After interviewing candidates from across the country, including Stewart, the hiring committee recommended her as the strongest candidate to lead the organization.
The Experience Olympia & Beyond Board of Directors subsequently voted to appoint Stewart as the organization's permanent CEO, according to a news release.
Stewart previously served as Experience Olympia & Beyond’s CEO from 2015 to 2020 and brings more than 15 years of leadership experience in tourism and economic development, having served in a variety of executive and leadership roles throughout the industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing from Western Washington University and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management from The Evergreen State College.
"The hiring committee conducted an extensive national search with SearchWide Global to identify the best leader for Experience Olympia & Beyond's future," said board president Shina Wysocki. "Throughout that process, Shauna consistently demonstrated the experience, vision, leadership and passion we were looking for. Her success as interim CEO, combined with her previous experience of our organization and deep understanding of the tourism industry, made her the clear choice. She has a unique ability to bring people together, ensuring that a broad range of community voices and stakeholders are part of the conversation and helping our region rise together like boats on the tide. We are excited to have her continue leading Experience Olympia & Beyond into its next chapter."
Stewart is known for her collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, industry expertise and commitment to building strong partnerships, Experience Olympia & Beyond said in a news release, adding that she brings a deep understanding of destination marketing and a passion for supporting local businesses, community stakeholders and the visitor economy.
"Thurston County is one of the most remarkable places in the Pacific Northwest, not just because of its natural beauty, but because of the people who care deeply about its future.” Stewart said. “I am honored to serve again as CEO and look forward to working alongside our partners to elevate our communities, support our businesses, and share our story with the world."
To learn more about Experience Olympia & Beyond, visit https://www.experienceolympia.com/
