Councilmember Rob Saka's Staff

Email Elaine

Elaine (she/her) is pleased to join Councilmember Rob Saka’s team. Elaine brings experience in local government coming from the City’s ARTS office and previously serving as the Director of the Office for Women’s Rights under former Mayor Norm Rice. She was the founding Director of the Port of Seattle’s Office of Social Responsibility and served as Executive Director of InterIm Community Development Association in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District.

Elaine earned a B.A. in Communications from the University of Washington and an MBA from City University. A native Seattleite, she attended Seattle Public Schools and graduated from Cleveland High School. She is a long-time former resident of West Seattle and currently lives in South Park with her husband John.

Elaine can be seen around town at local plays and enjoys writing and leading group tours to Japan.

Email Heather

Heather brings 25 years of city policy experience to the role, with a particular focus on transportation. Before joining our team, Heather served as Strategic Initiatives Director at the Seattle Police Department, and as the Program Director for Seattle Department of Transportation’s West Seattle Bridge Safety Program. While at SDOT, she led the Department’s efforts to successfully reopen the West Seattle Bridge. She brings a wealth of policy expertise in the critically important issue areas of public safety and transportation. Heather is a long-time resident of District 1 where she raised two children in Seattle Public Schools and lives in the Fauntleroy neighborhood with her husband.  

Email Leyla

Leyla (they/them) is a lifelong Seattleite, and is proud to be serving their city as a liaison between constituents and Councilmember Saka’s office. Leyla has a love for District 1, as they went to middle school in West Seattle, volunteered nearby in White Center for years, and previously worked for its Congressional member, Pramila Jayapal. Leyla brings experience in government from the county, state, and federal levels, and previously worked in the City’s Legislative Department under Council President Debora Juarez. They are excited to be contributing their experience to the work of Councilmember Saka, and serve as a presence for the office within District 1.

Leyla earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Public Affairs from Seattle University. Go Redhawks!

Hello! My name is Gabriel Navarro. And I am Interning with Councilmember Rob Saka's office.
 

I am a 4th year graduating senior and Presidential Scholar at the University of Washington. I am a proud first-generation Chicano student, and a lifelong Washingtonian. I am majoring in Business Administration and with a minor in Real Estate. I am passionate about Civics, Sustainability, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Government. I am honored to help serve District 1 as It has a special place in my heart since I first started college. I have been involved with Sea Mar Community Health Centers through their Latino Educational Achievement Program as a student ambassador. I also truly appreciate the Museum of Chicano Culture and I believe District 1 has some of the best food and culture in the city! I am very excited and looking forward to interning for the City Council and serving and meeting the community from District 1!