Deputy Council President Kelly Jiang was born and raised in Seattle’s Eastside in a Chinese American household with roots in Chengdu and Zhejiang. She studied Environmental Engineering Science at UC Berkeley and now works in clean energy, focusing on building decarbonization in affordable housing.
Councilmember Jiang’s path to public service grew out of her involvement in the local community. After moving to Issaquah, she joined the Issaquah Alps Trails Club and later served as its President. She also served on the Mayor’s Strategic Plan Advisory Task Force, where she gained a deeper understanding of how local government can shape a community. These experiences eventually led her to serve on the Issaquah City Council.
Councilmember Jiang also represents the City regionally as Vice Chair of the Eastside Transportation Partnership, as well as on the King County Flood Control District Advisory Committee and the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) Governing Board.
In this interview, Councilmember Jiang shares her journey into public service, reflects on her Chinese American identity, and offers advice to young people about education, civic engagement, and navigating a future increasingly shaped by AI. She encourages young people to explore different interests, step beyond their immediate surroundings, and embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. As AI continues to transform how people learn and work, she believes that the ability to think independently and express one’s own ideas will become increasingly valuable. Her central advice is clear: Find your own voice.
