Editor’s note: This is a press release from the candidate’s campaign. Minor edits have been made for style and clarity.

Katherine Festa is used to making history.

As a girl, she was the only biracial Native American (Haida/Raven from the Double Fin Killer Whale clan) and Italian girl in her class at Glacier High School in the Highline School District.

She was the first program manager named to work on King County’s Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program (EPRAP), which since expanded to $125 million for emergency housing support.

In November, Katherine Festa intends to become Federal Way’s first Native American council member.

After announcing her candidacy, Katherine quickly received endorsements from King County Executive Dow Constantine, State Representative Jamila Taylor and Executive Director of the Washington Military Alliance Kristine Reeves.

“Katherine Festa’s long time commitment to public service – to serving the people with kindness and dignity – shows me the kind of elected official she will be on the Federal Way City Council,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.

Katherine brings her drive and energy to organizations all over Federal Way. Her current volunteer work includes:

Vice chair and founding member of the King County Native American Leadership Council

Board member of Federal Way Historical Society

Commissioner to City of Federal Way Human Services Committee

Member of Chief’s Call for past five years

Community representative to Chief Andy Hwang for I-940 Initiative

Member of Federal Way Chapter of Soroptimist International

Planner of Indigenous People’s Day

Local Coffee Shop Owner, Dan Olmstead said “In the years I have known Katherine Festa I have always been impressed with her support of small business. She has the experience, motivation and energy to be a great city council person. She always shows up when and where she is needed.”

Katherine brings two decades of experience working in the Department of Community of Human Services for King County. Prior to that role, Katherine was a contracts manager for the Metro Transit Tunnel. With her transit experience, Festa believes that her “thrive local” message will resonate in Federal Way.

“I want Federal Way residents to be able to work local, play local, and shop local.” she said. “The light rail station is coming and this is our chance to create jobs, support small businesses, and ensure Federal Way remains a welcoming community space. And we can do it without losing what makes Federal Way special.”

“Katherine gets that Federal Way isn’t Seattle and doesn’t want to be. She will fight for us,” said Cynthia Maccotan, local advocate for youth violence prevention.

Katherine is excited to bring her drive and energy to Federal Way’s city council.

For more information, visit Katherine Festa for Federal Way City Council on Facebook.