THE IVY














Interview by Kari Cassidy-Diercks
Guiding a nearly 140-year-old institution into its next chapter while simultaneously leading one of Seattle’s most iconic family businesses takes vision, resilience, and entrepreneurial daring.
Jasmine Donovan’s own path is rooted in that legacy. The granddaughter of Dick Spady, founder of Dick’s Drive-Ins, she grew up balancing schoolwork with shifts at the family’s burger stands while hearing her grandfather’s stories on how earning a place at The Rainier Club marked a milestone he truly cherished. Jasmine became a member herself as a young professional, drawn to the Club’s community of civic and business leaders. Today she is President & CEO of Dick’s Drive-Ins and, fittingly, the newest President of The Rainier Club, the seventh woman to hold the post in the past decade. She brings both deep family pride and fresh momentum to a role that now spans three generations of Donovan-Spady dedication to the Club. I recently sat down with Jasmine for a conversation about heritage, her vision, and what lies ahead for The Rainier Club:
Kari: Jasmine, what’s your earliest memory of visiting The Rainier Club?
Jasmine: My grandparents joined The Rainier Club when I was a teenager. The first time I visited, I had braces! My grandparents invited the entire family to the Club for family photos. The portrait of Caroline McGilvra Burke was in the background of every photo. I think of that day every time I see that painting, which is currently hanging in the Troyer Lounge.
Kari: As one of the youngest to serve as President, what new perspectives do you hope to bring while still honoring the Club’s storied and timeless past?
Jasmine: Lauren and I are the same age, and I think we bring a unique perspective to The Rainier Club. Both of us are mothers with young children, and in the prime of our working careers, we have to be incredibly efficient with our time. The fact that we invest our time at The Rainier Club says a lot about its value. I think one of the things we both appreciate most about the Club is its diverse membership and the varied needs of our members today. Personally, I’m thrilled that breakfast is back – mornings are one of my favorite times at the Club.
At Dick’s Drive-In, we think in terms of timeless value, and the same is true at The Rainier Club. It’s always served as a sanctuary, a source of community, and a connector for its members. That’s just as valuable today as it was in the 1880s.
It’s remarkable to be able to enjoy a meal with a friend, hear a speaker, or experience art in a space that has hosted such experiences for Seattleites for over 130 years.
Kari: How do you balance safeguarding the legacy of the Club with the need to innovate for the next generation of members?
Jasmine: It’s a strategic planning year for Dick’s, and as a legacy institution in Seattle, we’re very aware of the tension between our treasured history and our future. I’ll share a quote I heard recently that deeply resonates with me on this topic:
“You know, we have a funny relationship with remembering… because remembering can be very grounding, or it can be very drowning. We have to be very careful with how we remember things. It is self-defining. Who are you? Don’t forget where you come from. Don’t forget what you’re made of. Don’t forget what you believe in. Don’t forget what your values are.
And on the other hand, if you’re only looking back to define yourself, because time unfortunately flows forward, and our trajectory is forward, if we’re not looking forward and allowing ourselves to also be who we’re going to be, not just be who we’ve been, then we end up hitting the present or the future with the back of our head, and we’re not ready.”
– Rachel Goldberg
The leadership and membership of The Rainier Club have been steadfast in balancing the needs of today’s membership with honoring our history. It’s a balancing act that each generation of membership and leadership will need to navigate intentionally. As I often say to my team, this work is more like gardening than engineering. The work is never “complete.”
Kari: Which initiative or project during your term excites you most, and why should members keep an eye on it?
Jasmine: As the Presidents and the Board have shared with the membership, we are in the midst of a remarkable resurgence at The Rainier Club, marking the dawning of a golden age after some
significant challenges. It’s truly a privilege to serve as President during such a transformative time. There are two key initiatives I’m most excited about this year: (1) growing our membership to 726 full membership equivalents (FME), and (2) achieving our Catalyst Fund fundraising goal of $2 million this year. Every President’s letter will keep you updated on our progress, and I’m confident that together we will accomplish both of these critical goals.
Kari: Jasmine’s reflections remind us that guiding a nearly 140-year-old institution forward takes three essentials: unwavering respect for history, genuine passion for people, and the fearless optimism her grandfather embodied. Together, they promise to keep The Rainier Club a welcoming crossroads for generations to come.
Thank you, President Jasmine Donovan!
JASMINE DONOVAN & LAUREN PARRIS WATTS at our Parting of the President Celebration
YES, CHEF!
EXECUTIVE CHEF
RACHEL ANDERSON
VIEW
DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
Who might you run into at your Club?
At The Rainier Club, the moments you remember most begin with an unplanned hello that turns into an authentic connection.
When you step through the doors the architecture impresses and the service anticipates, yet what truly sets the Club apart is the people. It’s the spark when a client becomes a collaborator, a former colleague turns into a confidant, or someone you admire strolls in and the conversation simply clicks.
There are so many faces you will see in the halls of Your Club:
• Your Club Hosts Laureates – Twenty-five Rainier Club Laureates, from actor Tom Skerritt to glass icon Dale Chihuly, Pulitzer cartoonist David Horsey, and our newest honoree, photographer Art Wolfe. Artists of renown grace your Club!
• Your Club Hosts 335+ Events a Year – Spanning elite Winemaker Dinners, BizBuzz public-affairs forums, artist talks, fashion nights, and even a deep dive into Psychedelic Posters of the ’60s. You can rub elbows with someone who loves the Grateful Dead to the sommelier to the Chief of Police. All of which you will find at your Club.
• Your Club Hosts Civic & Global Leaders – The Club that helped launch the Space Needle still hosts ambassadors, mayors, chiefs of police, and visiting delegations, such as the Irish-Heritage group with bagpipes, and the Worldwide Whiskey event. This is all seen here at your Club.
• Your Club Hosts A True Cross-Section – Families and singles, entrepreneurs and retirees, stay-at-homers and globe-trotters. Across ages, backgrounds, and viewpoints, members find a community built on inclusion and genuine curiosity. Your Club is one of authentic connections.
Share the experience:
Know someone you want to run into at Your Club?
Invite a peer today and let them enjoy $2,000 in Rainier Rewards engagement credits, dining, events, guest suites, valet, and more, to jump-start their own unforgettable encounters at your Club.
Thank you for sharing Your Club, - Kari
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9
FRIDAY, JULY 18
TUESDAY, JULY 8
Hospitality Hour: The Business Leadership Committee
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9
BizBuzz: Brain Fitness
Evening Bridge
Cellar Stories: Your Favorite Rosé
THURSDAY, JULY 10
Casual Bridge Games
FRIDAY, JULY 11
Hybrid: Daytime Classic Book Club
Awesome Women’s Lunch
Summer Series: Seafood Boil
SATURDAY, JULY 12
Awesome Women’s Night
TUESDAY, JULY 15
Hybrid Literary Luncheon: Epic Engineering Failures Annual Car Show
Auto Show Summer Buffet
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16
Art of the Conclave with Rebecca Albiani
THURSDAY, JULY 17
Casual Bridge Games
FRIDAY, JULY 18
4th Annual Rosé on the Autocourt
TUESDAY, JULY 22
Hospitality: Hey, Meet the New Fellows!
Literary Happy Hour: Agents of Change
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23
Curating a Wardrobe That Works for You (and the Planet)
Evening Bridge
Dinner and Conversation with Lt. General Matthew McFarlane
THURSDAY, JULY 24
Casual Bridge Games
Summer Series: A Night with Robert Roth and The Stones Society
FRIDAY, JULY 25
Daytime Classic Book Club
Dr. Quinton Morris in Conversation with Harvard Dean Dr. Nancy Coleman
Movie Night: Conclave
TUESDAY, JULY 29
Hospitality Hour
Gallery Opening: As Many Weirdos As Possible
THURSDAY, JULY 31
Casual Bridge Games
Summer Series: Guest Chef Night: An Evening of Sports & Flavor with Loria Yeadon
Event dates and details are subject to change and registration closes 72 hour prior to event.
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
CARD & GAMES
CULINARY HOMEROOM FASHION
ARTS FELLOWS
LITERARY
PUBLIC & GLOBAL AFFAIRS
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
WINE SCOTCH
Whether you’re into wine, books, business, or the arts, there’s a group of members who share your interests—and a place to connect, learn, and have some fun along the way.
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Each room is thoughtfully designed to reflect the charm of Rainier Club living, complete with personalized service and member and guest rates.
Overnight Accommodation Rates
$195 Member
$275 Member Guest(s)
$150 'Night of' Reservations (based on availability)
Rates are per night, plus all applicable taxes.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
Awesome Women’s Night
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5
Hybrid Literary Luncheon: Epic Engineering Failures
Summer Series: A Night in Mexico
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6
Cellar Stories
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7
Casual Bridge Games
The Business of Art & Music: The Weirdos
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8
Daytime Classic Book Club
Awesome Women’s Lunch
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12
Summer Sunset Sail
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13
Evening Bridge
THURSDAY, AUGUST 14
Casual Bridge Games
Summer Series: Nose to Tail Dinner
Wine Committee Dinner
TUESDAY, AUGUST 19
Literary Luncheon: Epic Engineering Failures
Summer Series: Street Food Night
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20
BizBuzz
THURSDAY, AUGUST 21
Casual Bridge Games
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22
Daytime Classic Book Club
Movie Night: The Natural
Scotch Tasting & Dinner
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26
Movie Screening: “Marcie’s” with Director/Screenwriter John Helde
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27
Summer Series: Farm to Table Dinner
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
Casual Bridge Games
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29
Monte Carlo Casino Night
Event dates and details are subject to change and registration closes 72 hour prior to event.
THE
As Chair of The Rainier Club’s Fashion Committee, I see style as much more than clothing. It’s about confidence, selfexpression, and connection. My love of fashion began when I was eight or nine, experimenting with bold outfits that let me stand out. At that time, it was pairing mismatched shoes with outfits (we all have to start somewhere). As a teenager, I fell in love with the dramatic romance of gothic fashion and the simplicity and attitude of punk. But, growing up in Colorado, this meant that I had to build out my wardrobe by thrifting, combing through vintage shops, and scouring estate/garage sales. That DIY spirit, mixing unexpected pieces to create something personal and striking, has stuck with me and is something I still bring into my style today.
I like to think that I bring that same spirit to the Fashion Committee. We are a group of seven dedicated members who work to highlight amazing fashion at the Club and connect our community with local artists and businesses. We often collaborate with other committees to create events that appeal to the diversity of fashion of our Rainier Club members, elevating the Club’s fashion culture while also celebrating self-expression, style, elegance, and community.
Over the past year, we have hosted some unforgettable events that celebrated the artistry and fun of fashion.
FASHION DINNER: HATS - We celebrated the timeless allure of hats, fascinators, and tiaras with a special guest, Michael Hoyle of Seattle’s Hoyle Hat, who shared his expertise in bespoke hat making. To be clear, though, our members stole the night, wearing their favorite hats and tiaras. And, in a wonderful surprise, our own Garrett showcased his vintage hat collection, adding to the evening.
MET GALA: THEMES THROUGH THE AGES Our blacktie gala invited members to dress in homage to iconic Met Gala themes, from heavenly couture to avant-garde masterpieces. With our own RC member, and local Seattle designer Lisa Marie showcasing dazzling looks. We also brought in a watercolor artist to capture portraits of our members (and their fashion), providing everyone with a keepsake of an amazing night.
GOTHIC HALLOWEEN BALL The Gothic Halloween Ball set a dark and elegant tone for the evening, with
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 23 RD
Fashion Dinner: Curating a Wardrobe That Works for You (and the Planet)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29 TH
Monte Carlo Casino Night
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3 RD
Havana Nights
candlelight, rich music from Seattle’s DJ Wax Witch, and members dressed in creative, gothicinspired looks. It was a unique and memorable way to celebrate Halloween at the Club. If you missed it, we managed to use every candelabra the club has.
I would love to see even more Rainier Club members bring their own ideas to the table, like Kellie Benefiel did with her vision for the Big Band Swing night. I also want to deepen our connections with local fashion artists and showcase their work in our events. The more collaborative and creative we are, the richer our community will become.
We are also excited to introduce a new fashion affinity group, Maison De La Mode (Fashion House), co-led by Leslie Mattson and me. This group is all about sharing our love of style, accessories, and designers in a casual, welcoming setting. Whether you’re into fine jewelry, handbags, clothing, or just want to learn more about your favorite fashion houses, Maison De La Mode will offer a chance to share stories, challenges, and wins with fellow members.
We plan to organize outings to designer stores (just for fun, no purchase necessary), pair them with lunch or dinner, or watch a fashion-forward movie together, like House of Gucci or The Devil Wears Prada. Come as you are — casual, comfortable, or dressed to the nines — and join us as we learn from each other and simply enjoy the experience. Gatherings will take place at the Club, in restaurants, or other preplanned locations, with the frequency to be determined.
If you have ever been curious about fashion or just love a good party, come talk to us. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the events we put on. The Fashion Committee is here to create spaces where you can have fun, meet fellow members, and maybe even discover a new side of your own personal style. Thank you for letting me and this wonderful committee help bring more creativity, confidence, and style into our Rainier Club experience. I hope to see you at our next event.
- Nicole
NICOLE KELLY, FASHION
CHAIR
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Literary Luncheon: Epic
Engineering Failures
Hospitality Hour
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Cellar Stories
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Casual Bridge Games
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Summer Series: Family Night on the Patio
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
Hospitality Hour
Scotch Tasting & Dinner
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Summer Series: Prime Rib on the Patio
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Casual Bridge Games
Wine Lab: Popular Red Wine Exploration
BizBuzz
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Daytime Classic Book Club
Awesome Women’s Lunch
RC Kids Club
Fall Dinner with Puget Sound Company
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