Debra George, a longtime champion of Burien’s small businesses and community events, was honored Thursday night, June 5, 2025 with a Puget Sound Business Journal “Business of Pride” award, recognizing her as one of the region’s top LGBTQ+ leaders and changemakers.
George, best known for her work with Discover Burien and Burien CARES Animal Shelter, has spent over two decades shaping the city’s small business community and spearheading some of its most beloved events.
“If you’ve lived in Burien at any point over the past two decades, chances are you’ve felt the impact of Debra’s work,” Burien City Councilmember and Debra’s partner Alex Andrade said in a public tribute on Facebook. “She’s poured her heart into Discover Burien — helping bring our city to life through unforgettable community events and strong support for small businesses.”
Andrade noted George’s resilience and leadership, recalling how, in the early 2000s, she was pressured to resign from a position simply for being openly gay — a demand she refused.
“She stood her ground — with tears in her eyes — and didn’t back down,” Andrade said. “She’s taken more than her share of hits along the way, but no matter the challenge, she’s kept moving forward, with purpose and deep commitment to our Burien community.”
In addition to her civic work, George manages communications, fundraising, events and operations at Discover Burien while also leading Burien CARES animal shelter efforts — often juggling multiple responsibilities in a single day.
“My main goal is to have people see the difference Debra makes in Burien,” Andrade added. “Burien would not be the place we see today—the good things—without her. She’s worked hard for the good of the entire Burien community, always, despite the hurtful things said by a small handful of people.”
More information about the awards is available here.
