Board and Staff

The mission of the Downtown Issaquah Association is to cultivate a thriving olde town that builds community and celebrates our charm. Our vision is a downtown district that is alive, inviting and vibrant.

The DIA Board is comprised of Issaquah small business owners and individuals who are committed to accomplishing this mission.

Christina Bruning,
Board President

Trailblazer, mentor, evangelist, Christina is a leader whose vision for Historically Hip Downtown is met with equal amounts of enthusiasm, capability, and an unequivocal love for her city.

A long time Olde Town resident, Christina is known for being well versed in all things Issaquah. She brings leadership, technology, and project management experience from Weyerhaeuser, Nordstrom, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She founded and managed a business and cultural exchange program with Baltic countries and has diverse regional and national nonprofit board experience. Most notable, Christina is among the first local businesses call when they need solutions to pressing problems. They know if she doesn’t have the answer, she will find it. That’s her definition of DIA: the champion for small businesses that gets things done.

Corby Casler,
Executive Director

Corby has lived in Issaquah for 20 years and has been an avid connoisseur of local restaurants, retail, and businesses. Her grown children are graduates of Issaquah High School, and her 2 adorable dogs command attention at local parks. Corby is energized by DIA’s impact on protecting and enhancing Olde Town and building a community sustained by art, culture, history and an infusion of historically hip vibes. She grew up in Michigan, moved to Oregon, and set her roots in Issaquah with no intention of leaving. Corby has led marketing and communications for 35 years at some of the best brands in the world, but family values molded who she is today. Her core principles mirror those of DIA: Kindness, Integrity, and Inclusion. Her approach to serving Downtown Issaquah? Choose gratitude and put others first. The rewards are far greater than personal achievements.

Marv Nielsen,
VP & Treasurer

Marvin Nielsen needs no introduction in Downtown Issaquah. A resident since 1977, he is often seen around in his ’57 Chevy, squiring his wife Susan and grown daughters to events, and most profoundly leading the Fenders on Front annual classic car brigade of 500 vintage autos and motorcycles. Fenders is an economic boon that brings more than 7,000 people each Father’s Day. Marv ensures that proceeds from the event benefit Life Enrichment Options (LEO), which last year honored him with the Community Caring Award for his penchant go give back “and by doing so, improve the quality of life for everyone.” Marv is a Viet-Nam era disabled veteran who has been inducted into the State of Washington Hot Rod Hall of Fame. His hope for downtown? More happy family traditions that bring the community together.

Barb Mayfield,
Secretary

Among a long list of accomplishments and prowess, Barb is the Owner/operator of a thriving longarm quilting business in the Downtown Issaquah plaza at Front and Sunset, called APQS Northwest. Married for more than 50 years, Barb has two grown children who live in the Issaquah area. When she’s not on dry land, Barb can be found in exotic places scuba diving and flying a plane, having acquired both her sea and sky credentials. She joined DIA’s board “Because downtown Issaquah is now the forever home of my business!” Her shop has become a community gathering place for friends of family with an affinity for artisanship.

Ekta Gupta,
 Board Member

Born in India, Ekta has been living in the U.S. for more than three decades and now resides in the Issaquah/Sammamish area. A pharmacist by education, she ventured out into the world of art in 2010, quickly mastering the simplicity and beauty of pencil art in awe-inspiring works. Since then, her art has been featured in various national and international magazines. As an Ayurveda Wellness Counselor, she enjoys helping people to bring balance back into their lives and has written and presented scholarly papers on art, education, and health at international seminars. Ekta is a consummate volunteer, selflessly sharing her vast artistic and wellness expertise with the Issaquah community. Her hope: That everyone finds joy and wellbeing in all they do.

Eliza Rodriguez,
Board Member

Eliza Rodriguez picked up the flute at the age of nine and hasn’t looked back. She began her professional music career in the San Francisco Bay Area and since has taught hundreds of children and adults the melodious and ethereal art of fluting. Today she teaches at the Kaleidoscope School of Music on Front Street. As a performer, her credentials are ample: the Lake Washington Symphony, the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, the Greece Symphony Orchestra, the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony and the Seattle Symphony. Eliza has degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Eastman School of Music. Her greatest hope for downtown? “That it becomes THE hangout place for visitors and residents.”

Judy Ecklund,
Board Member

Judy traversed the country to Washington state in 1973 but brought her renowned Midwest (Wisconsin) kindness and community values with her. She moved to Issaquah in 2009 and started her own business operating a salon downtown. You’ll likely see her with her gardening gloves as she leads DIA’s Design Committee and spearheads beautification efforts. “I like volunteering with DIA because small businesses are the soul of our country. Issaquah businesses provide jobs and services unique to our community. Volunteering is a great way to stay connected and make new friends.” Her hope for downtown is to fill Front Street with retail space. She continues in an entrepreneurial vein creating and operating a pyrotechnic wholesale business in the state.

Mac Records,
 Board Member

Mac’s leadership in Downtown Issaquah is evidenced in their business savvy as the owner of Wicked Beauty Bar, but also in their dedication to fostering a welcoming space for all. As a proud trans, nonbinary individual, Mac joined DIA’s board to further their deep love for Issaquah and commitment to supporting local businesses, friends, and the broader community. Their greatest hope for downtown Issaquah? A thriving hub of support, acceptance, and fun. (A little-known fact: Mac won first place in SkillsUSA for New Hampshire in Architectural drafting, design and craftsmanship.) Their creativity springs eternal in the work of enlivening our downtown.

Anna Lvova,
Advisor

Anna fell in love with Issaquah when she moved here because of unique combination of a small American town beauty and vibrant culture. Anna is a local accountant who is a straight shooter who values personal and business relationships. Honesty and hard work make Anna a huge contributor to the Issaquah community.  

Aubrey Aramaki,
Advisor

Aubrey is a proud Historically Hip Downtown Property Owner who landmarked Coutts Garage located at 35 W. Sunset Way home to Big Picture.

https://www.issaquahreporter.com/news/aubrey-aramaki-reflects-on-success-of-beloved-clock-gallery/

Brenda Audino,
Advisor

Brenda, originally from the Pacific Northwest, has lived all over the country. Yearning to return, she found the opportunity in purchasing Capri Cellars and moved to Issaquah. She is a wine industry veteran as well as certified wine and spirit educator. She holds the Diploma in Wine & Spirits, the highest certification from the London based Wine & Spirit Education Trust, is a Certified Wine Educator from the Society of Wine Educators and holds the Sommelier Diploma from the International Sommelier Guild. Prior to the wine industry, Brenda was an IT professional and project manager. Brenda has served in a number of non-profit organizations from volunteer, committee chair to board president. Brenda currently lives in Issaquah with her husband, Anthony Audino. When I’m not at Capri Cellars you may find me hiking and enjoying nature or traveling to wineries around the world.

Joan Probala,
Advisor

Joan is a long term Issaquah resident and a long term community volunteer, activist and business owner. She has participated in many Boards and Commissions on the community, state and national level culminating in being recognized as the Issaquah Chamber’s Business Person of the Year. Joan has watched Issaquah grow from a sleepy community to a vibrant city and firmly believes that the Historic Downtown area is not only what makes the city unique but what binds the city together.  This is an exciting opportunity to share what she has leaned through her business experiences, to participate in increasing the vitality of the city and bringing the community together.

Steve Barrett,
Advisor

Steve has been an Issaquah resident since 1999. He is a strong supporter of local businesses and enjoys attending as many community events as possible, along with spending free time with his two children and time on the trails.

Steve has served as on the DIA Promotions Committee since 2016 and volunteers at local events. He’s a bit of a history geek and enjoys the stories Olde Town holds in its past. He believes Issaquah is a special place and maintaining it’s unique charm is important. He hope his love and service in Issaquah will leave a positive impact on shaping the future of Downtown Issaquah’s vitality and the experiences our diverse community.