Forum on Public Health & Public Safety

Dr. Amy Barden is the first Chief of Seattle’s third public safety department, called CARE (Community Assisted Response & Engagement). She directs the work of Seattle 911 and the CARE community crisis responders, behavioral health specialists responding to appropriate 911 calls.

Amy holds advanced degrees in ethical leadership, administration, and organizational learning, most recently completing a doctorate at Vanderbilt University where she honed skills in data science and behavioral research. She has spent twenty years in leadership at human service organizations in Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, consistently driving positive change to ensure more people are availed of services and interventions that work.

Amy has been valued for her aptitude in community-driven design, cross-team collaboration across a wide range of stakeholder groups and demonstrated belief that every life has equal value. She is a member of the Seattle University Criminal Justice Advisory Council, the Georgetown Law Alternative Response Research Collective, and sits on the CSG Expanding First Response National Commission.

Elected King County Prosecuting Attorney in 2022, Leesa Manion has invested in strengthening relationships with law enforcement and community-based partners to combat gun violence, improve victim services, and enhance behavioral health interventions.

Leesa is leading a statewide project to reimagine a more effective Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) system where key partners collaborate to improve health and public safety by providing critical behavioral health interventions faster and in the least restrictive means possible.

Prior to election, Leesa served as the PAO’s Chief of Staff for 15 years, where she implemented effective programs that improved public safety, enhanced victim services, and reduced racial disproportionality.

Leesa is the first woman, the first person of color, and the first Asian-American to be elected King County Prosecuting Attorney. Leesa is also the first Korean-American woman in the United States to be elected Prosecuting Attorney. Outside work, Leesa enjoys spending time with her two young adult children.

Chief Public Safety Officer Natalie Walton-Anderson is responsible for overseeing the Seattle Police Department, Community Assisted Response and Engagement Department, and the Office of Emergency Management.

Walton-Anderson previously worked as a public safety leader addressing complex safety issues in Seattle and Washington state for nearly 30 years. She served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington Criminal Division, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Criminal Division Chief for the Seattle City Attorney’s Office.

She has championed survivor and victim support, offender accountability, and the development of diversion programs like LEAD and Mental Health Court. She looks forward to advancing Mayor Harrell’s One Seattle vision by strengthening public safety efforts and making Seattle a safer place for all.

Presented by Town Hall Seattle and First Hill Improvement Association.