Biography

Sally J. Clark's career includes both non-profit social services and government work aimed at both helping people to become their own best advocates and connecting people with government in ways that improve their lives and their communities. She has served on the Seattle City Council since 2006.

Sally started her career as a print journalist and soon put her skills to work as the Communications Manager for Chicken Soup Brigade, a non-profit agency that provided practical support to people living with AIDS in King County. In 1997 she left Chicken Soup Brigade to join the office staff of former Seattle City Councilmember Tina Podlodowksi. In Tina's office Sally worked on a range of issues including neighborhood development, public safety and technology. In 1999 she joined the city's Department of Neighborhoods as Neighborhood Development Manager for Southeast Seattle. In this role Sally linked neighborhoods, city staff, non-profit groups, businesses and developers to help implement the neighborhood plan recommendations.

In 2002 Sally left the city to finish a Master's Degree in Public Administration at the University of Washington's Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs. While in the MPA program Sally served as executive director of the Northwest Association for Housing Affordability, an organization dedicated to developing and maintaining low-income housing in Washington's rural communities. After finishing her degree Sally worked as a legislative aide to King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson before joining Lifelong AIDS Alliance as director of community resources. At Lifelong AIDS Alliance Sally oversaw public policy and advocacy, HIV prevention education, volunteer recruitment and training, and insurance premium payment assistance.

At Seattle City Council Sally chairs the Committee on the Built Environment, serves as vice chair of the Housing, Human Services, Health, & Culture Committee, and is a member of the Public Safety & Education Committee. Sally is also a member of the Council's Labor Policy Committee. She serves also on the King County Board of Health, the Puget Sound Regional Council Operations Committee , the Growth Management Planning Council Executive Committee, Labor Management Leadership Committee, and the Regional Policy Committee.

In her spare time Sally rows with Conibear Rowing Club. She is an avid bicyclist and has completed the Seattle-to-Portland ride twice.

Sally lives in the Brighton neighborhood of Southeast Seattle near Seward Park. Her partner, Liz Ford, is a labor attorney and instructor at Seattle University. They have an 85-pound Kuvasz named Bill and three cats (Delilah, Abigail and John).