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The Timeline
About Girmay
Team
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Girmay Transition 2025
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Home
The Timeline
About Girmay
Team
Apply
Girmay Transition 2025
DONATE
Home
The Timeline
About Girmay
Team
Apply
DONATE

The Executive-elect

ABOUT GIRMAY

Girmay Zahilay will bring a lifelong commitment to public service and results-driven leadership to the Executive’s office. Raised in South Seattle public housing by a single mother who immigrated as a refugee, Girmay went on to graduate from Stanford, work in the Obama White House, and serve as Chair of the King County Council. As Executive, he will be focused on making government more accountable and delivering on his four main policy goals that he campaigned on:

  • Breaking the Cycle

  • Building More

  • Boots on the Ground

  • Better Government

“We’re building a King County that works for ALL of us. Where government delivers results, every community is heard, and no one is left behind.”

The Team

DELIVERING A KING COUNTY THAT WORKS FOR ALL

Transition Executive Director

KARAN GILL

Karan Gill is the current Deputy King County Executive, where he helps manage King County’s daily operations and leads strategic coordination for the Executive’s priorities, advising on policy, external relations, and emerging issues. He previously served as Chief of Staff under former Executive Dow Constantine, and earlier as Chief of Staff to Councilmember Dave Upthegrove.

Before joining the County, Karan worked for House Speaker Frank Chopp and led community relations for a South King County anti-poverty nonprofit. With over 20 years of experience in government and policy advocacy, he has also served on boards including the Budget and Policy Center and the South King County Human Services Council. A lifelong King County resident raised in Renton, Karan lives with his wife, Lita, and their two sons.

Transition Co-Chair

KATIE GARROW

Katie Garrow has served as Executive Secretary-Treasurer of MLK Labor since 2021, bringing extensive experience in political, union, and community organizing. She began her labor career organizing domestic workers and day laborers in the Bay Area, later representing public sector employees at the City of Seattle with PROTEC17 before joining MLK Labor. At the Labor Council, she has expanded labor’s political power across South King County, helped elect over 50 union members to public office, and led initiatives on anti-racism, climate, and workforce development. Raised in a union household in Grays Harbor County, Katie is committed to building a labor movement that represents women, people of color, and LGBTQ workers. She holds a BA in Spanish from Pacific Lutheran University and lives in South King County with her husband and two stepchildren.

Transition Co-Chair

DOUG BALDWIN

Doug Baldwin is a former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver and Super Bowl champion who has dedicated his post-NFL career to community building and philanthropy across King County. After retiring from football, Baldwin founded the Family First Community Center in Renton, a partnership with local government and nonprofits to provide youth and families with access to health, wellness, and educational programs.

He has continued to champion equity and opportunity through initiatives focused on housing, mental health, and criminal justice reform, serving on multiple local boards and working closely with civic leaders to strengthen communities. Baldwin’s work reflects his belief that lasting change begins with investing in people and creating spaces where everyone can thrive.

Transition Co-Chair

ESTHER LUCERO

Esther Lucero is Dinè and Latina and a third generation urban Indian from Colorado Springs, Colorado. A leader in national public health policy for urban American Indians and Alaska Natives, Esther became CEO of the Seattle Indian Health Board in 2015 and completed a reorganization of the company by establishing a leadership team that is leading the charge toward an informed system of care that is grounded in indigenous knowledge. Prior to Seattle Indian Health Board, Esther was the number one salesperson for a national retail corporation at the age of 22 before dedicating her life to public health policy for urban American Indians and Alaska Natives. She would later work in various positions for the Native American AIDS project and Native American Heath Center before joining the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health where she oversaw 10 health programs throughout California.

Transition Co-Chair

BRAD SMITH

As Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith is responsible for spearheading the company’s work and representing it publicly on a wide variety of critical issues involving the intersection of technology and society, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, privacy, environmental sustainability, human rights, digital safety, immigration, philanthropy, and products and business for non-profit customers. He leads a team of roughly 2,000 business, legal and corporate affairs professionals located in 54 countries and operating in more than 120 nations. Over the past decade, Smith has spearheaded the company’s work to advance privacy protection for Microsoft customers and the rights of DREAMers and other immigrants, including bringing multiple lawsuits against the U.S. government on these issues.

See the full list of 100+ Transition Committee Members here

Full Committee

Work With Us

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF KING COUNTY

We’re assembling a diverse team to help shape the priorities and policies that will guide King County’s next chapter. If you’re passionate about building a government that delivers results, we invite you to apply. We also welcome any ideas and suggestions for how we can improve King County.

APPLY FOR A POSITION
SHARE YOUR IDEAS

For non-application inquiries, please contact girmaytransition2025@gmail.com