Dancing for a Cause

Sabrina Villanueva has reached many heights in her career as a commercial real estate management executive, but this month she’s getting ready for a literal spotlight. 

The senior director of Property Management at Clise Properties, Villanueva, ’04, B.A., political science, is among nine “celebrity dancers” preparing to take the stage with pros next month at Seattle Dances, an annual gala benefiting Plymouth Housing. 

Seattle Dances will be March 8 at Fremont Studios and streamed online. In addition to raising funds for Plymouth’s housing-first programs in King County, the celebrity dancers will compete for three mirror ball trophies—and bragging rights.

We caught up with Villanueva as she’s preparing her West Coast Swing performance with professional dancer Za Thomaier. 

I have always loved dancing. I used to watch music videos and make up my own dance routines. I am not a trained dancer, but I have taken some hip hop and salsa classes. And fun fact: I was on the 2001-02 WWU Hip Hop Dance Team. But I have definitely never done anything quite like this before.

We practice about two days a week. It’s harder than I thought it would be, and I have some bruises in places I’ve never had before! The most enjoyable part is when we—or really, when I—get a section of the dance down really well and we hit all the moves on rhythm!

The chance is worth taking! When you push yourself and believe in yourself, you will be pleasantly surprised at what you can accomplish.

I oversee and manage commercial real estate properties, handling a variety of responsibilities, including tenant relations, budgeting, property maintenance, and project management, all while ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Additionally, I represent Clise Properties in community and government affairs, actively engaging with non-profit and community organizations. Through my work, I have the privilege of contributing to projects that enhance the safety, vibrancy, and inclusivity of our downtown area.

I was born and raised in Seattle, where I witnessed my mom and brother struggle with substance use and the hardships of living unsheltered. I also grew up with a special needs sister who is non-verbal and faced misunderstanding and bullying. As her voice and advocate, I’ve always been driven to stand up for those who need help the most.

Plymouth plays a crucial role in ending homelessness by meeting people where they are, offering support through healthy boundaries and guidelines, and helping individuals establish and maintain stable housing. Their approach is compassionate and effective in creating lasting change.

Plus, Clise Properties has been proud to have them as a tenant for almost a decade. As their landlord, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible work they do.