Mary Kay Clunies-Ross
Mary Kay has been working to inform and engage the public for more than 20 years. As an independent consultant, she helps clients with business strategy, crisis communications, organizational messaging and community relationships. She also partners with other firms on large projects and to ensure coordinated efforts.
Prior to consulting, Mary Kay served as the Vice President for Membership and Communications at the Washington State Hospital Association. In that role, she was the chief media spokesperson and communication strategist, crafting non-partisan messages on complex political issues. She also advised WSHA member hospitals on message, worked in coalitions, and was responsible for member education and engagement.
She came to WSHA having managed local and national media as the spokesperson for the City of Berkeley. She was the Public Information Officer for more than a dozen City departments, including Public Works, Public Health, Housing, Planning and Finance. She also served on the communication team of Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.
Mary Kay has a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Seattle University and Master’s in Journalism from Northwestern in Chicago. Before COVID, she rode the bus almost every day, where she would make faces at babies, hum tunelessly and watch the sun rise.