On Tuesday, Dionne Foster, a nonprofit executive director and former City of Seattle Senior Policy Advisor, announced her candidacy for Seattle City Council Position 9. Entering the race with a commitment to refocusing the Council on shared priorities, Foster’s platform emphasizes safe streets, affordable housing, and a city that protects residents’ rights and amplifies their voices.
Foster, who was raised by a single mother—an Army veteran who later became a teacher, understands firsthand the challenges of economic hardship. As a teenager, she worked two jobs in high school to help support her family. Determined to build a better future, she put herself through college before earning a Master’s degree from the University of Washington’s School of Social Work, where she later taught graduate students as adjunct faculty.
Her experiences as a former restaurant worker in Seattle shaped her understanding of the importance of affordable healthcare. Programs like Apple Health ensured she could afford medical care, allowing her to give birth to her son without the burden of overwhelming medical debt. Later, the Seattle Downpayment Assistance Program provided her with the opportunity for homeownership, offering housing stability and a path to generational wealth.
In addition to her professional background, Foster has been actively engaged in policy and advocacy work. She serves on the C4 board of Climate Solutions and previously sat on the board of Pro-Choice Washington. She lives in South Seattle with her son and their dog.
“As a nonprofit and policy leader educated as a social worker, I get excited about innovative approaches to complex challenges that deliver long-term results,” Foster said. “That’s what I’ve done throughout my career to make people’s lives better. That is the expertise I will bring to the City Council to ensure we address housing affordability, community safety, and threats from the federal government.”
Foster’s experience in policy development and community investment reflects her deep commitment to tackling Seattle’s biggest challenges. During her tenure as Senior Policy Advisor for the City of Seattle, she led efforts to improve public safety, expand opportunities for youth, and advance the city’s climate goals. Later, as a Senior Program Officer at the Seattle Foundation, she managed public-private partnerships that funded new housing strategies, anti-displacement efforts, and community-led services to address homelessness.
As Executive Director of the WA Progress Alliance, she played a pivotal role in passing and protecting Washington’s capital gains tax, which in its first year invested $51 million in childcare in King County and created 2,300 new childcare slots for working families. She also helped fund advocacy groups focused on housing access, healthcare for immigrants, reproductive justice, and democracy reforms that expanded voter participation.
Ensuring safe and healthy communities is a priority Foster believes requires a balanced approach to public safety. She supports hiring new police and CARE Team officers while investing in community-driven solutions that address the root causes of crime. She also emphasizes the importance of stronger recruitment efforts at the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and ensuring clear accountability measures are in place.
“We all deserve safe neighborhoods, peace of mind while riding transit, and schools where our kids are protected from gun violence,” Foster said. “This requires hiring new police officers while also investing in the solutions that prevent crime from happening in the first place.”
Tackling Seattle’s affordable housing crisis is another central focus of her campaign. As someone who benefited from city mortgage assistance programs, Foster understands both the challenges families face and the impact stable housing can have on long-term financial security. She supports an inclusive housing strategy, from emergency shelters and supportive housing to solutions that work for families, seniors, and workers.
“We need an ‘all of the above’ approach—solutions that work for families, young people, and our workforce. Housing stability benefits everyone, and we need a forward-thinking approach to ensure Seattle remains livable for all.”
Beyond housing, Foster is committed to Seattle’s climate leadership and ensuring critical investments in public transit infrastructure. She supports the completion of the Sound Transit line from West Seattle to Ballard, which she sees as essential for mobility and reducing carbon emissions. Her experience in policy development and climate advocacy makes her confident that Seattle can continue leading the way in clean energy, efficient housing, and environmental justice initiatives.
Foster enters the race with broad support from state representatives and community leaders and has already raised over $20,000 from more than 200 donors toward qualifying for the Democracy Voucher program.
“I am excited to support Dionne Foster for City Council. Dionne brings invaluable experience of innovation and an understanding of who we are in Seattle. She knows that we need affordable housing and public safety that truly meets the needs of everyone in our community. Her qualifications for this job are unmatched,” said Colleen Echohawk, Community Leader.
