Meet Mary Mitchell, a Seattle native and Garfield High School alumna, has dedicated her life to serving others, leveraging her extensive experience in civil service and organizational development. Her career began with the Seattle Police Department as an Administrative Specialist on the auto records team. Beyond her primary role, she co-chaired the race and social justice change team and facilitated focus groups for the Citizen’s Academy and "Race: The Power of an Illusion." With 11 years in Parking Enforcement, Mary served as co-lead on SPD’s Change Team, facilitated racial equity training, and was a certified mediator with the Inter-Local Conflict Resolution Group.

Mary stopped by The Day With Trae to discuss The WA Cares program. It fills a vital gap in long-term care coverage for Washington residents, offering affordable options for essential services often overlooked by traditional insurance. Through modest contributions from working Washingtonians, the program ensures access to tailored care, supporting independence and quality of life as individuals age. Transitioning from the Seattle Police Department after 23 years, Mary brought her leadership to Aging and Disability Services, becoming the Director of the largest Area Agency on Aging in Washington State, serving a quarter of the state’s population under Older Americans Act programs. Her tenure as Deputy Director of the Consumer Protection Division in Seattle's Department of Finance and Administrative Services saw her instrumental in developing the Racial Equity Toolkit and the Marijuana Equity Program. An active participant in the 2022 USAging Policy Briefing, Mary continues to forge meaningful relationships with policymakers at all levels. Outside of her professional life, Mary cherishes time with her granddaughter, “Lady Bug,” and enjoys riding her motorcycle, Big Blue