Marie McCaffrey was born, raised, and continues to reside in Seattle, Washington. She is the co-founder and executive director of HistoryLink, the non-profit organization that produces HistoryLink.org, the online encyclopedia of Washington State history. Marie went to the University of Washington and has spent most of her life as a graphic designer until she took over the position as executive director of HistoryLink in 2007 after the death of her husband, Walt Crowley. Her interests in arts and culture have garnered her many awards, and she has served on several boards including Pioneer Square Theatre, Northwest Chamber Orchestra, the Center for Contemporary Art, HistoryLink, and the Seattle Public Library. She also served two terms as a Seattle Arts Commissioner.