Q: What motivated you to run for this position and how will you evaluate your success over time?
My decision to run for City Council comes from a deep commitment to equity, public health, and accessible community infrastructure. I oversee the growth of a local behavioral health agency that serves autistic and disabled individuals, as well as families facing systemic barriers to care. I left my role at Seattle Children’s Hospital to create accessible and equitable programs in the community, because too many people were falling through the cracks of traditional systems. Through clinical work, community partnerships, and collaboration with schools and nonprofits, I’ve worked to build services that meet people where they are. Being recognized in the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 was an acknowledgment of that work, and of my financial leadership, policy insight, and understanding of how small businesses and public systems intersect.On City Council, I want to bring that same focus to housing, healthcare, and public safety. That includes advancing innovative healthcare policies that address gaps in access, supporting infrastructure that prioritizes livability and resilience, and improving safety through balanced regulation, investments in mental health response, and better policing rooted in transparency and community engagement. I’ll measure success by whether residents feel more connected to city decisions, whether small businesses and working families are supported, and whether we are building a city that is safer, healthier, and more inclusive for everyone.
Q: The current supply of housing across King County does not meet the region’s needs, resulting in high housing prices and exclusive communities. How will you increase available housing, stabilize rent, and protect tenants in your city?
Housing is one of the most urgent equity issues in our region. I’ve worked closely with families, youth, and individuals with disabilities who are pushed out of stable housing due to cost, lack of accessibility, or discrimination. To increase available housing and protect renters, we need to take a layered approach that includes policy change, partnerships, and real accountability.First, I support increased investment in mixed income and affordable housing, particularly projects located near transit, schools, and services. We need to reduce barriers for nonprofits and community developers who want to build, and explore land use reforms that allow for more diverse housing types such as duplexes, accessory dwelling units, and co-housing. Stabilizing rent means looking at limits on excessive increases while balancing that with support for landlords to maintain housing quality. We also need stronger tenant protections including access to legal counsel during eviction proceedings, extended notice requirements, and better enforcement of anti-displacement laws to ensure people are not forced out of their neighborhoods.The long-term goal is to create a city where housing is treated not just as a commodity but as a basic right. Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to live, and I believe we can move in that direction through bold, inclusive, and transparent policy decisions.
Q: All people deserve their basic human needs to be met. What is the state of social services in your community, and what will you advocate for?
As someone who has worked in hospitals, schools, and community settings, I’ve seen how hard it is for families to access basic social services. Many face long waitlists, confusing systems, and a lack of culturally responsive care. I oversee a behavioral health agency that partners with schools and providers to support underserved communities. I also work directly with families, helping them access mental health, disability, and stabilization services. I partnered with Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and the Kids Mental Health WA program to expand care for families unable to access traditional support. I am also a professor in the Human Services program at Tacoma Community College and Colorado State University, where I teach the next generation of helping professionals. I take a hands on approach, grounded in cultural humility. On City Council, I will advocate for sustainable, community driven services shaped by those most impacted, not just policies that sound good but truly meet people’s needs.
Q: Our party platform calls for cities to ensure that contracts are awarded equitably, ensuring that women, minority-owned and LGBTQIA+ businesses are not excluded. What actions will you take to reduce systemic discrimination in your city’s awarding of contracts?(Required)
As a gay, Asian, minority owned business owner, I understand firsthand how city contracting processes can exclude those of us who do not have traditional access or insider networks. I oversee a behavioral health agency rooted in equity and community care, and I have experienced the barriers that keep women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ businesses from receiving fair opportunities. I also teach in the Human Services program at Tacoma Community College and Colorado State University, where I focus on systems change and anti discrimination practices. To reduce bias in contracting, I will advocate for transparent criteria, targeted outreach, technical assistance, and an equity audit of current practices. This is not just about compliance, it is about repair and relationship. We need to actively partner with underrepresented business owners and make the process accessible, supportive, and community informed from start to finish.
Q: King County set record high summer temperatures in each of the last four years. Given our party’s mandate to prevent catastrophic climate change, how would your community support the county’s environmental goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ensure sustainable and resilient frontline communities, and prepare for climate action?
Climate justice is community justice. In my work as a behavioral health provider and educator, I see how extreme heat and environmental shifts hit low income, disabled, and immigrant communities the hardest. Many of these same families already face barriers to housing, transportation, and healthcare. My approach to climate action is rooted in equity and accessibility. That means pushing for green infrastructure in frontline neighborhoods, expanding access to cooling centers, supporting clean energy jobs, and making climate resiliency part of our housing and public health planning. I will also support incentives for small businesses and schools to transition to cleaner operations, and advocate for stronger partnerships between the city and local organizations already doing climate work. As a professor and business owner, I believe change must be local, visible, and people focused—not just ambitious targets, but tangible investments that protect lives and strengthen our future.
Q: Crime statistics and the role of the police varies across our county. What is your perception of the effectiveness of public safety services in your community? How could it be enhanced or improved?
Community safety is one of my top priorities, and I believe it takes a coordinated and community centered approach to get it right. As a mental health professional, I work closely with first responders and have ongoing collaborations with police, fire, and crisis teams to support individuals during high stress and complex situations. I have seen the gaps that exist when mental health, disability, and public safety systems do not communicate or share resources effectively. While many of our public safety personnel are doing their best, the system as a whole needs more support, accountability, and adaptability. I support expanded co response models, mental health crisis teams, and stronger investments in prevention, including housing and youth engagement programs. Public safety should not rely solely on policing, it should reflect the needs of the whole community and ensure that everyone feels safe, heard, and protected. |