Who We Are

Updated September 16, 2024

As Seattle's population changes, the City needs to continually revisit and expand its public engagement efforts to ensure growing demographic groups are represented in the City's decision-making processes and that barriers discouraging people from participating are eliminated.

In July 2016, Executive Order 2016-06 was signed reaffirming the City's commitment to advance effective implementation of equitable and inclusive engagement strategies across all City departments. In the 2017-2018 Budget, legislation was passed that addresses the Mayor's outreach and engagement principles, outlines a new citywide framework for community engagement, and creates a Community Involvement Commission. 

Rachelle Olden
Mayoral Appointee

Rachelle Olden is a seasoned professional with a rich and diverse background in marketing, tech, international development, and social advocacy. As a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Google, she leads the Tech Equity Collective, an initiative focused on advancing Black innovation in tech.

Her journey began as a first-generation college student, growing up as the oldest of four siblings in a single-parent home in both Brooklyn, New York, and Columbia, South Carolina. Rachelle has traveled to over 54 countries, gaining invaluable perspectives along the way. Her career started with the U.S. Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic and continued with impactful roles at the U.N. World Food Programme in Liberia and World Vision International in Latin America. She has also worked with the Clinton Foundation, the Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where she focused on addressing social issues and promoting equity.

With an MBA from Duke University, Rachelle transitioned to Microsoft, where she managed global industry partnerships. In 2023, she was honored to be named one of Puget Sound's 40 under 40 and featured in ESSENCE magazine's inaugural Power 40 list. Outside of her professional life, Rachelle is a certified yoga instructor and enjoys teaching at shelters for homeless women. 

Heidi Morisset
Mayoral Appointee

Heidi was raised in Seattle where she learned to be grateful for the variety of life Seattle offers. While she took time away from the City for higher education, Seattle’s enticement has her currently residing in the serene Maple Leaf neighborhood. As a member of a local native Tribe, Heidi cherishes both her roots and the greater heritage of these lands. Heidi's educational background in psychology, sports management, and mental health counseling has aided her professional and personal growth by providing insight into human behavior and an insatiable thirst for curiosity.

Heidi has worked at several Seattle based companies and finds her passion through making connections in the communities and with the people around her. In her off time, you can find her frequenting Seattle's sporting events, at various parks with her puppy, and adventuring in the local waterways. As a young indigenous person, Heidi hopes to emphasize these perspectives within the City. Her goal as a member of the Community Involvement Commission is to make civic engagement exciting and easily attainable to all populations and people of Seattle.

Julio Perez
City Council Appointee

Julio Perez is a passionate advocate from Washington State who promotes community engagement and social equity. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a minor in Economics from Western Washington University. While at the university, he interned for six months at a local nonprofit organization that supports vulnerable populations. Julio has been a Seattle resident for three years and works as a transportation advocate at a nonprofit organization. In this role, he collaborates with local partners to address mobility challenges and ensure equitable access to transportation services.

Julio is not only dedicated to his professional responsibilities, but he is also actively involved in community service. He spends his time volunteering with organizations that support unhoused individuals in Seattle. Julio is passionate about supporting underserved populations and believes everyone deserves a voice and equal opportunities. He is committed to positively impacting our community through his selfless service.

Hunter Camfield
Council Appointed

Hunter is a dedicated member of Seattle's recovery community and a proud University of Washington graduate, where he earned a degree in computer science in 2019. Originally from Ohio, Hunter moved to Washington at the age of 18, following in the footsteps of his family, who have deep roots in Seattle. He has called Seattle home for the past 10 years, contributing to the community through various roles. With 13 years of experience in the recovery community, Hunter has been committed to supporting young men in achieving and sustaining sobriety. As an organizer, he has played a key role in creating events that foster connection and support within the recovery community.

Prior to his college education, Hunter worked as a caregiver and at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), where he developed a strong sense of compassion and dedication to service. Hunter is passionate about leveraging his personal experiences and professional skills to advocate for the recovery community and beyond. Hunter is deeply invested in the well-being and growth of the city. He is committed to making a positive impact through his work on the city council, ensuring that all voices are heard and supported in Seattle's diverse and vibrant community.

Kamryn Yanchick
Get Engaged Appointee

Kamryn Yanchick (she/her) is a proud citizen of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and a descendant of the Muscogee Nation originally from Oklahoma City and now living in the Interbay neighborhood in Seattle. Kamryn graduated from the University of Oklahoma with degrees in police science and Native American studies, and her research focused on identifying barriers and motivating factors that impact Native participation in both tribal and nontribal elections. She currently works as the Political Navigator with Native Action Network (NAN), where she manages leadership development and advocacy training programs for Native women. Kamryn joined the NAN team after completing the Wilma Mankiller Fellowship with the National Congress of American Indians, where she worked on advancing civic engagement across Indian Country. She is passionate about furthering community empowerment in the political process, especially amongst Native youth, and hopes to use her position on the Community Involvement Commission to help foster equitable and inclusive engagement across Seattle.