Lauren’s first job was teaching at a Head Start program and so she has a particular passion for early childhood education. After college, she spent several years working in global development and a consultant at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. he championed HB 1713, named “Ricky’s Law,” which was signed by Governor Inslee in 2016. The legislation created an involuntary crisis commitment system for youth and adults with life-threatening addiction. Lauren helped to found the Washington Recovery Alliance, where she now serves as the organization’s first Executive Director. She also serves on the Public Policy Committee for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Washington State and served for many years on King County’s Behavioral Health Advisory Board. Lauren recently taught a mental health policy course in the Masters in Social Work program at the University of Washington. She is a strong champion for mental health and addiction recovery, strengthening our schools, reforming the criminal justice system, and affordable housing.
Cindy Ryu
While a Shoreline City Councilmember, Cindy served as Mayor, becoming the first Korean
