Hi, I'm Jessica
I've lived in Washington for 26 years, raising my two children in public schools as a working mom and part time roller derby athlete. Today, I am a grandmother to five very smart and curious humans.
In 2019, my wife and I moved to Burien from West Seattle right before the pandemic shut down. Community is very important to us, and connecting with new neighbors through pick up windows and masks didn't make for an easy transition at first. Over the past 5 years we have become fully invested in so much of what Burien has to offer - pottery classes, discovering new hikes, kayaking the sound, farmers markets, collecting books for the library, taking our grandchildren to the park, and volunteering with Burien Pride. I have also been honored to serve as Burien Planning Commissioner since 2023.
MY CAREER JOURNEY
As a teenager, I grew up working in my parent's gas station, where I learned how to do an oil change, change a tire, and that the one thing that unites us all is complaining about the price of gas. I learned the challenges small businesses face every day to keep the lights on, inventory stocked, and shifts filled. That experience instilled in me a work ethic that has shaped my career - to be resourceful, resilient, and that every problem has a solution.
In college, I studied architecture and design in El Paso, TX where I worked on federal and local civic projects including the El Paso Art Museum and Fort Bliss Army Base. After moving to Seattle, I worked on commercial design projects for King County Executive Ron Sims, the Federal Courthouse, and King County Metro offices. During the banking recession, I pivoted from architecture into marketing where over the past 15 years, I have been promoting arts, entertainment, and sports for Seattle Rep Theater, Rat City Roller Derby, the Seattle Seawolves, and the Seattle Orcas. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, and a Master’s in Business Administration.
Being a community builder is in my DNA. In my work and in my volunteer service, I am known as a passionate collaborator that brings people together to solve big problems. As a marketer, I am naturally curious about the “why” and finding creative solutions to challenge the status quo. I volunteered on design review boards for Seattle Public Schools, Chaired the Economic Development Committee for the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, and was on the Board of Directors for the Seattle Queer Film Festival.
Leadership and Vision
I love our city and I believe in a thriving Burien that’s economically prosperous, addresses our public safety concerns, and provides opportunity to grow jobs in our city.
It’s been an honor to serve as your Planning Commissioner to shape the most progressive comprehensive plan Burien has ever passed. It serves a roadmap to build affordable housing, protect access to green space and expand park amenities, and grow job opportunity. I understand how to run a successful business, how to unify divisions towards a brighter vision, and to roll up my sleeves and get to work to solve some of our most difficult challenges.
Through my work on the planning commission I will bring my knowledge, passion, and experience to actualize what is possible. On City Council I want to work to guide Burien to a brighter future for all of its residents.