The Rainier Club Newsletter | The Ivy by The Rainier Club

THE IVY

BAKED ALASKA AFTER DINNER

A PRESIDENT’S LEGACY JASMINE DONOVAN

RAINIER CLUB PRESIDENT 2025 - 2026

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 DONOVAN

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!

WHO’S ON THE COVER?

JASMINE DONOVAN & LAUREN PARRIS WATTS at our Parting of the President Celebration

Family Photo with the Caroline Burke Portrait

MORNINGS ARE DIFFERENT

YES, CHEF!

EXECUTIVE CHEF

RACHEL ANDERSON

VIEW

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP

KARI CASSIDY-DIERCKS YOUR RAINIER CLUB

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

THE ROSÉ SERIES

WEDNESDAY, JULY 9

CELLAR STORIES

YOUR FAVORITE ROSÉ

FRIDAY, JULY 18

JULY

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.

THE RAINIER CLUB COMMITTEES

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

CARD & GAMES

CULINARY HOMEROOM FASHION

ARTS FELLOWS

LITERARY

PUBLIC & GLOBAL AFFAIRS

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

WINE SCOTCH

A COMMUNITY OF CONNECTION

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.

JOIIN A COMMITTEE

Connect with Membership to Learn More

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS

Discover the perfect blend of comfort and convenience with our exclusive overnight accommodations at The Rainier Club.

Whether you're planning a restful staycation around one of our events or hosting out-of-town family and friends for the holidays, our inviting suites are ready to welcome you.

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.

AUGUST

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.

Leading with Style

NICOLE KELLY &

THE

FASHION COMMITTEE’S VISION FOR THE RAINIER CLUB

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.

A LOOK BACK: HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR EVENTS

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

NICOLE(L) & MITRA(R) KELLY

UP

AND

COMING FASHION EVENTS

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.

LOOKING AHEAD

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.

YOUR INVITATION

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