A Life of Service and Community
It is with deep gratitude and heartfelt remembrance that we honor the life and legacy of Deborah Sogge, whose leadership and dedication helped shape the Sammamish Chamber and the broader Sammamish community.
Deb passed away on February 15, 2026, after several years of health challenges, which ultimately led her to step down from her role as Executive Director of the Sammamish Chamber in February of 2023.
Deb was not only a visionary leader—she was a long-time local resident, a devoted mother of three, and a good neighbor. Deeply rooted in the Sammamish community, she brought both professional excellence and personal heart to everything she did.
Her commitment to the Chamber was a reflection of her broader commitment to the place she called home and to the families and businesses who shared it with her.
Deb was the first employee ever hired by the Sammamish Chamber, beginning her work as a marketing contractor during the organization’s earliest days, when founding board members—including Dino Guzzetti and Kirsten O’Malley—were helping establish its foundation.
She was a marketing force in the Sammamish area long before joining the Chamber and had been volunteering with the board as far back as 2004. Her talent, vision, and unwavering commitment soon led her into the role of Executive Director, where she became a guiding force in the Chamber’s growth and influence.
Deb was my ‘marketing mom,’ bringing encouragement, so many ideas, and expertise to my fledgling business more than twenty years ago, as well as mentoring me when I became the Chamber president in 2005. What she did for me, she did for the entire community; sharing her expertise, enthusiasm, and amazing ability to connect us to new clients and colleagues. Deb was our business mom and cheerleader, and she will be greatly missed.
— Kirsten O’Malley
She believed deeply that strong businesses build strong communities, and she devoted herself to creating opportunities and visibility for entrepreneurs across Sammamish. Through her steadfast leadership, Deb guided the organization from a small, emerging group to a thriving chamber with hundreds of members—navigating challenging economic conditions and divisive political climates along the way. During moments when the Chamber’s viability was in question, she remained unwavering in her belief in its value to Sammamish and the surrounding business communities.
Karen McKnight remembers,
Deb led with integrity, always staying true to our core purpose of ‘connecting business with consumers.’ With grace and clarity, she encouraged our members to remain aligned with that mission.
Among her many accomplishments was the development of the Sammamish Farmers Market, which became not only a marketplace but a vibrant community gathering place.
Dawn Sanders remembers,
She launched the Sammamish Women’s Business Conference, empowering and connecting women leaders and entrepreneurs. She played a key role in the creation of the Sammamish Map, providing a valuable resource to spotlight local businesses, and supported beloved community events such as Sammamish Nights. In addition, Deb championed the work of numerous local non-profits, ensuring they were supported and integrated into the Chamber’s broader mission.
Deb worked tirelessly on behalf of the community, with particular care for retail and home-based businesses—often the unsung heroes of a local economy. She made it her mission to ensure they felt recognized, supported, and included. Whether in a board meeting, at a community event, or simply connecting neighbors, Deb showed up fully and generously.
Those who worked alongside Deb remember not only what she built, but how she showed up each day.
As Dino Guzzetti shared,
Deb always had a smile on her face. She was incredibly compassionate, fearless, and consistently went out of her way to help anyone in need. She never said no and was always ready to dig in and support the community.
Julie Honn, current CEO of the Sammamish Chamber, reflects on Deb’s impact and the importance of honoring her legacy as she stepped into the role to lead the Chamber into its next chapter:
In April of 2023, I was asked to step in and help keep the Sammamish Chamber moving forward when Deb had to step down for health reasons. As I began this role, I had the chance to meet with Deb, and I immediately felt her warmth and her deep passion for serving her members and the community. From the very beginning, I wanted to make sure I honored her in every decision as we moved the Chamber into its next chapter.
We met several times to talk through what I was working on, and I was grateful for her guidance and advice along the way.
In January of 2024, we honored Deb with a celebration at Big Block Brewery to thank her for her years of service. The outpouring of love and the shared stories from Chamber members—who spoke about how tirelessly she worked to help them succeed—was a true reflection of her big heart and genuine love for this community.
I am deeply honored to have been able to fill her shoes and help grow the Chamber back to health. On the last day of the 2025 Farmers Market season, Deb and her son stopped by to visit. We sat together, shared Chamber stories, and she lit up hearing how the Chamber was coming back to life. She holds a special place in my heart, and I will continue to lead the Chamber in a way that honors her legacy.
Her legacy lives on in the programs she built, the businesses she uplifted, and the relationships she nurtured. More than anything, Deb will be remembered for her warmth, her servant heart, her dedication to her family, and her unwavering belief in the power of community.
We honor her life with gratitude and carry forward the foundation she so thoughtfully created.
