Kellie Braseth to retire after a decade of service to Olympia 

After 10 years of serving the city and community, Kellie Braseth is retiring from her role as Olympia's Strategic Communications Director.

Olympia City Manager Jay Burney announced her retirement at a city council meeting on Tuesday, June 17.  

"Kellie has brought such an amazing energy to her role, and has been a trusted advisor to me these past five years," Burney said.

"My first two years were some of the most challenging of my career, and I needed to know how to best have a challenging conversation. Kelly taught me to lean into them and be my authentic self, and this advice has never let me down." 

Burney praised Braseth's gift for language and her ability to help others communicate with clarity and compassion.

"Many times, we have all been in that place of not knowing what or how to say something, and then Kellie pulls it together with eloquence and respect," he said.

Braseth's tenure was marked by significant achievements, including launching a city television channel, developing a strategic communication plan, and creating innovative community outreach programs.  

Council members expressed appreciaiton for Braseth's past work, especially during challenging times, including organizing virtual panels with Black leaders following George Floyd's murder and helping conceptualize Rebecca Howard Park as a space for racial healing. 

Mayor Dontae Payne noted Braseth's contributions over the years.

"You gave this community a more open and transparent government — through strategic communications plan, the app, the TV channel. You inspired the vision of a peace park not rooted in trauma but healing, and that is now becoming a reality," Payne said.

Council member Clark Gilman thanked Braseth for her system-level thinking when they reformed the board and commission interview process.

"It was a huge project. Designing a whole department was a lift, and you did it," Gilman said.

Braseth thanked the council.

"We ride for the brand," said Braseth in her farewell remarks. "It's been glorious riding for this brand, and I want to thank you for it." 

Braseth also shared her early impressions when she joined the city.

"The first thing I noticed is that the staff here were just such consummate professionals, public servants, but they were also like at the top of their game and at the top of the industry. … It's been such an honor to work and support and help tell their stories," Braseth said.

She expressed her pride in promoting civic transparency.

"It's been an honor to support your work and to do my part to make it more transparent to the city because Olympia takes its democracy seriously. That whole 'For the people, by the people' stuff — we're on it." 

Braseth's last day with the city will be at the end of June.