Penny Lipsou (Class of 2023) is a social worker who serves as the Government Relations Manager for King County’s Department of Community and Human Services. Her experiences in direct service and community organizing inform her approaches to policy and systems change. Previously, she served as the Washington State Director for the American Heart Association and as a legislative assistant in the Washington State House of Representatives. She works closely on affordable housing and homelessness policies, behavioral health and health care. Penny is passionate about equitable access and opportunity – she regularly gives presentations, facilitates workshops, and speaks on panels about the legislative process and ways to advocate effectively. For her work in public health policy, she received S.E. Seattle’s Prevention, Education and Action for Community Empowerment Coalition’s 206 Rising Award for ‘Excellence in Prevention’. In her spare time, she likes to bake desserts, go on long walks with her two dogs, and share space with loved ones.