2026 Board Election Ballot

I am a full time CPA, who has recently discovered the amazing world of tool libraries. Being a hobbiest woodworker and gardener, the access that the West Seattle Tool Library provides to the community is very exciting. I've loved living in West Seattle for the past 10 years. A big part of building my life here has been around building community. Where I've been able to consistently connect with neighbors is through gardening and carpentry. I would love a chance to be a part of the West Seattle Tool Library Board to help others build that community by building together.

The WSTL has been a wonderful resource to me as a single mom who loves to do-it-myself and teach my daughter how to care and repair. I bring years of experience in marketing, digital product management, and event coordination. I would be honored to support WSTL as a member of the board and appreciate your vote.

Hi WSTL Board Members, Here is a little background on myself. Home Renos: I grew up in Bellevue and have lived in West Seattle since 2017 when I bought a small house in the Westwood neighborhood. I lived a few houses down from Steve Itano who was (and maybe still is) volunteering and introduced me to WSTL. I renovated that house and borrowed from the library over the years. A couple years ago I moved to a new house (also with many DIY renovation projects) in West Seattle and joined WSTL as a lifetime member within the last year. I wish I would have joined seven years ago! Board Experience: I have two years serving on the board of Backpack Brigade which is a Seattle non-profit that fights weekend hunger for K-12 kids by providing food bags packed with meals to eat over the weekend if they are experiencing food insecurity. I rolled off that board a year ago. It was a great experience and a fairly complex organization. Some lessons learned I'm sure I can bring to WSTL. Professional Experience: Most of my professional background has been in marketing in the construction and development industry. I've worked for Skanska for almost 15 years, the last seven of which have been on the commercial development side. I would bring WSTL marketing and communications expertise of all kinds. From branding to web to general communications. Kind of a jack of all trades with hands-on marketing work. Depending on where WSTL is at in your journey, I could be helpful securing volunteers, applying for grants, securing business partnerships, you name it. While I've not volunteered with WSTL, I'm drawn to your mission and community service you provide. It aligns well with my passion for hands-on work and DIY spirit. I'm not currently involved with any organizations/volunteering so I'm looking for a way to give back in my local community.

I love the West Seattle Tool Library and have been a proud member for several years. It is truly a gem in our community, and I am excited about the opportunity to give back by serving. Over the years, I have benefited greatly from both the tool collection and the knowledgeable, supportive staff. As an avid DIYer, I’ve taken on a wide range of home improvement projects—from tiling, concrete, drywall, and electrical work to gardening, masonry, installing permanent holiday lights—and the Tool Library has been an essential partner throughout that journey. It has empowered me to learn new skills, take on projects confidently, and do so in a way that is practical and sustainable. I am eager to share both my hands-on experience and my professional skills to help support and grow the Tool Library. In my career, I have spent over 20 years working in digital marketing across an independent record label, a nonprofit organization, and the tech industry. This background has given me experience in storytelling, audience engagement, and strategic communications—skills I believe could be valuable in supporting the Library’s outreach, fundraising, and community engagement efforts. In 2025, I reached out to the West Seattle Tool Library with the idea of creating a float for the West Seattle Grand Parade as a fun and engaging way to connect with the broader community while promoting the Tool Library’s mission. I see this as a creative opportunity to increase visibility, celebrate shared skills, and invite new members into the organization, and I hope this is something we can further develop in 2026. I am deeply passionate about sustainability, repurposing, and frugality, and I strongly believe in the Tool Library’s mission of reducing waste while strengthening community connections through shared resources and knowledge. Serving on the board would be a meaningful way for me to contribute to an organization that has had a real impact on my life and on West Seattle as a whole.

Going on two years as a volunteer and am interested in helping out more where possible. I have met most of the board and many of the members and I think I could provide some insight and knowledge from an inside perspective.

Moving myself and family to West Seattle a few years ago; one of the first moments of unexpected joy was the discovery of the West Seattle Tool Library. Affordable, local access to critical resources one needs for the occasional repair job; or moment of inspiration. What’s better than that? I’d be honored to be considered to join the WSTL Board. To continue its mission and help fill the gaps where we need it. Whether it's: responding to member inquiries, general feedback & needs analysis, grant writing, strategic partnerships, or general management needs. I’m confident some of my past/current work experience in the worlds of for profit, doing business development, client relations and project management (Solar, Transportation), non-profit (B Corps), owning a small community centric business (independent movie theater), and closer to WSTL, hands-on with tools and equipment (BC Forest Service-Wildfire division). We need WSTL to continue being the RESOURCE that it is to the community. Personal goals of mine include: ensuring a clear path to the next 5-10-15 years of financial sustainability, further enabling access to tools-whether through availability for pick-up/drop-off, or inventory relevance-understanding what tools/resources not yet available are of most interest to the WSTL community, and then helping work out how to make that happen. Random stats: Most recent WSTL tool rental: Splitting Maul Favorite tool rental thus far: Telescoping Ladder (the Swiss army knife of ladders, it enabled multiple jobs to be completed around the house in one weekend, fits in a car, and so nice to not have to own/store one myself for these infrequent chores.) Biggest home job completed thanks to WSTL: partial wall demo. Rented 10+ tools for a long weekend just to be sure we had the right tools on hand if the need arose..

I have served on the Board for five years as the treasurer. I'd like to continue that role. I love the support I get from the Tool Library as I tackle various home improvement projects from flooring to tiling, cabinet refinishing and hardscaping in the yard. I want to help keep this resource strong for our community.