Holding complexity, centering community

Since 2023, Little Pineapple has partnered with the Washington State Department of Health, Department of Social and Health Services, and Health Care Authority to help make the state Age- and Dementia-Friendly.

This work has unfolded across four major phases:

• Built the case for the initiative, secured the governor's commitment, and established a multi-sector Advisory Group representing over 14 sectors.

• Learned from existing data and a statewide community survey with over 3,000 respondents based on defined data priorities.

• Engaged people from across the state through facilitated community forums (listening sessions) with over 300 participants. Tailored sessions were held in Spanish, for people living with dementia, and Deafblind people.

• Creating a statewide action plan to guide the Age- and Dementia-Friendly Washington initiative (in progress).

Throughout this project, Kelsey has demonstrated her ability to manage complexity and stand up a new program — developing educational materials for the governor's office, creating governing structures for shared decision-making, facilitating all meetings, guiding survey development, authoring data reports, synthesizing qualitative data, and leading meaningful community engagement.