From Corporate to Community: Why I Chose to Serve

Hi there!

I’m Amy Forrest, and I wanted to share a little about my journey with you.

I graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in communication, something I’m really proud of, especially because I did it without any financial help from friends or family. Later in life, I decided to go back to school and earned my Master’s degree in Management. It wasn’t easy juggling everything, but I’ve always believed in the value of education and pushing yourself to grow.

After spending about 30 years in the corporate world, I felt it was time for a change. I wanted to do something that felt more meaningful to me and gave back to the community. That’s when I moved into the public sector, starting as the Communications Director for the West Valley School District. Today, I serve in the same role for the Grandview School District, and I absolutely love what I do.

Education and community engagement are close to my heart. I truly believe our future leaders need strong academic foundations, and I’m passionate about helping students feel confident and prepared for life after graduation. It's also very important to me that everyone in the community knows their voice matters. I care deeply about listening to concerns and making sure people feel heard—because that’s what good leadership is all about.

I also believe in nonpartisan local leadership. We all want what’s best for our community, and working together—regardless of political affiliation—is the best way to get there.

When it comes to the $9 million deficit that Yakima is facing, I believe we need a well-balanced, thoughtful approach. We can’t just patch the problem; we need both short-term revenue solutions and long-term strategies to ensure financial sustainability.

My focus is on balancing economic development with community equity while making sure the solutions we pursue are politically realistic and truly serve our residents.

Thanks for taking the time to read a bit about me. I look forward to working together to build a brighter future for our community!

Warmly,Amy