OL Reign Legend: Kali Clark – Mayor of Sammamish

The Legends Campaign, a partnership between OL Reign and Starbucks, honors women for their extraordinary contributions to our community in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Prior to the July 1st match against the North Carolina Courage, OL Reign recognized Kali Clark, Mayor of Sammamish.

Clark started her public service journey with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, where she was hired to run inmate forestry crews, working with the Department of Corrections, in addition to doing natural resources work. Later, she pivoted to emergency management and policy work at a state level. At the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, Clark worked with FEMA, where she was a planner for the Covid-19 response. She then started at Sound Transit as a Plans and Prevention Specialist.

Led by her determination and grit, Clark ran for Sammamish city council. She was committed to running her campaign on positivity and became the youngest and first openly LGBTQIA+ member. Her fellow Council Members unanimously chose her to be the Deputy Mayor, before becoming the mayor of Sammamish last month.

“I think that one of the greatest skills that I have and something that I am most proud of is my ability to really listen to others. We are really divided right now on all levels and I have always made it my mission to really bring people together. I don’t really know how to explain it other than the amazing demographics of people who supported me on my campaign. I really like to just foster relationships and open communication,” said Clark.

Throughout her own journey, she never quite received enough of the support she needed, so she’s made it her mission to support others in the community and truly see and hear everybody.

“There has been enough of the silencing and enough of the marginalizing. What I’ve been able to do by being elected and by being that sounding board for somebody.”

Clark then shared a story from a recent talk she gave to the local newspaper in Sammamish. Their newspaper is independent and run by high school students.

“I showed up and told my story, but then I just opened it up for anyone to ask questions. What I thought was the most interesting part, was the fact that they were all just excited about my genuine excitement. That all just felt really motivating. When I told that them that I had initially ran an election and failed, but then got back up and did it all again, they seemed surprised, but the genuine excitement and motivation was there,” said Clark.

When asked about her advice for young women pursuing a goal or dream, Clark said, “It's about not stopping. Never stop asking question. Never stop trying to get to the truth and making sure that you and other people who don’t have a voice are heard.”

She continued, “That stubbornness and grit is inside of all women because we have had to do it to get there. It’s important that we believe in each other, motivate and support each other, and hold each other accountable.”

Being honored as an OL Reign Legend is extra special to Clark, as her and her partner are OL Reign Season Ticket Members.

“My partner and I grew up playing sports so for us, it’s just putting that importance of what this actually means up front. For me, it’s like a dream come true. I love the Reign and I go every game. When I looked at the list of Legends that have come before me, my mind is a little bit blown. I feel like I’ve done very little compared to previous Legends but being honored means that I’ve done something right. I can’t even begin to imagine the Legends who will come after me.”

Clark’s journey to where she is now, as the youngest and first openly LGBTQIA+ Mayor of Sammamish, has not been easy. It’s been full of hardship, but she has done everything in her power to support her community.

“This just really enforces that each job I didn’t get or each time I was met with resistance or lost, it was all for something. I’ve never really made decisions for personal reason or selfish reasons. I’ve always been focused on supporting my community. It is really all about positive change for me.”

“I’m so excited to be on this level where I feel like, okay, now I want all the Legends and OL Reign to get together and rule this world. If you want something done, ask a woman because there’s literally no one else who works as hard as women,” concluded Clark.