Getting to know Katherine | Leadership in action

||| FROM KATHERINE BRYANT INGMAN, COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATE |||

I’ve been fortunate to benefit from, and contribute to, impressive and impactful volunteer work throughout my life. From an early age, I’ve looked for ways to bring people together with integrity, care, and joy, and to create the kind of culture and environment that we want to live in, born of the priorities and values we share.

San Juan County is run by volunteers caring for our neighbors. Volunteering is an incredible way to be present, connect with each other face-to-face, and better understand the nature and depth of need in our communities.

With the Lopez Island Family Resource Center, I spent several years as a youth mentor. This program emphasizes intergenerational connection, pairing Lopez youth with adults in the community who can provide extra support and care. I met with my mentee weekly after school, to have tea and cookies and plan her upcoming quinceañera. We spent time with her sisters and fellow artistic mentors, creating paper flowers and practicing the dances for her celebration.

These are the kinds of core memories that have shaped my perspective. It takes all of us together to ensure that our youth are cared for and have what they need to thrive. 

I’ve also seen this first-hand as a volunteer track coach at Lopez High School, where I have the opportunity to motivate young athletes to set goals, and make meaningful improvements every day to achieve those goals.

We work hard as a coaching team to balance hard work with play and encourage students to challenge themselves with new events. Some days I’m herding cats; most days I’m overwhelmed by how much these young people achieve, just by showing up each day and putting in the work. We’ve had a successful few years, cheering on large groups of athletes who make it to the state meet. Sports and other extracurricular activities are crucial for prevention and mental health stabilization, and I’m hopeful that we can continue to understand and discuss them in this light.

In my eight years volunteering with the Catherine Washburn Medical Association, as a board member and now President, we’ve had to navigate through tough decisions, dynamics and community wide impacts. Healthcare is too important an issue for egos to take hold and I’m proud of the work our community did together, securing a new long-term partner for the Lopez Island Medical Clinic.

Decision-making happens best when shared, meaning: informed by the community members most impacted, with input from issue experts, and when the path forward is accepted by most major contributors. We don’t build a better society — one that is more inclusive and compassionate — by disregarding the voices of neighbors advocating for justice and equity.

To learn more about me, visit katherinebryantingman.com/