Tanja Carter was appointed as the Community and Economic Development Director in March 2025. With extensive experience in the tourism and hospitality, commercial real estate development, retail, distribution, and international manufacturing sectors, she most recently served as Economic Development Director for the City of Federal Way. Prior to that, she also worked in economic development for the cities of SeaTac and Auburn.
Carter's experience leading teams developing economic development strategies in diverse regions has honed her ability to tailor solutions to specific cultural and economic needs. Drawing from her international experience, she has been able to connect small immigrant-owned businesses locally with opportunities that support their success. Her established relationships with organizations like the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA), along with her work nurturing jurisdictional collaborations through Sister Cities programs, also provide her with strong foundational knowledge for fostering local economic growth.
A native German speaker who is also fluent in English and Spanish, Carter has a bachelor’s degree in economics and international relations from The American University.