STAFF
David Hoffman, Executive Director
David Hoffman joined Sound Cities Association as a Executive Director in November 2022. Prior to joining SCA, Hoffman served as Local Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager for Puget Sound Energy. Hoffman’s community involvement includes with the Greater Renton Chamber of Commerce, the East King Chambers Legislative Coalition, and the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce among other local organizations. Hoffman lives in Renton and graduated from Central Washington University.
Brian Parry, Policy Director
Brian Parry joined Sound Cities Association as a Senior Policy Analyst in November 2016. Brian was born and raised in the Puget Sound and graduated from the University of Washington in 2001 with a degree in History and Political Science. Prior to joining Sound Cities Association, Brian worked for Snohomish County government where he worked with the County Executive and Council to develop and implement policies related to growth management, transportation, utilities, energy and sustainability, housing, and workforce development. Brian has served as representative on a variety of local policy committees, including the Snohomish County Workforce Development Council, the Conservation Futures Advisory Board, and the Brightwater Air Quality Advisory Board. Before joining Snohomish County, Brian worked in government affairs at the state and local level and also as a legislative analyst in the Washington State Senate.
Leah Willoughby, Chief Operating Officer
Leah Willoughby joined Sound Cities Association as Administrative Services Manager in May, 2019. Leah is originally from Columbus, Ohio. Prior to working at SCA, she worked for the College Success Foundation in Bellevue, where she served as Operations Manager. Leah has a B.A. in English, a Masters Degree in Professional Writing, and a Certificate in Grant Writing and Nonprofit Management.
Kazia Mermel, Policy Analyst
Kazia Mermel joined Sound Cities Association as a Policy Analyst in September 2021. Prior to joining SCA, she earned her Master of Environmental Science and Management degree from the Bren School at University of California Santa Barbara, where she specialized in environmental politics and strategic communication. She has a particular passion for policy relating to organic waste management, which she had the opportunity to explore through an Eco-Entrepreneurship venture that she designed and researched with two Bren colleagues. She also has a B.A. in Biology from Carleton College and an eclectic background in fundraising, food systems, and marine ecology.
Hali Willis, Policy Analyst
Hali is a recent graduate of the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at UW with a concentration in social policy, and also holds a degree in Biology from Western Washington University. Hali’s work at the Evans School focused on health, human services, and the criminal justice system, and she recently completed a six month project evaluating the impact of King County’s Isolation and Quarantine sites on the spread of Covid-19. Before returning to school for her MPA, Hali worked as an educator at nonprofits including Common Threads Farm in Bellingham and Explora Science Center and Museum in Albuquerque, NM where she coordinated, developed, and taught classes for youth and adults. Hali’s background in science education and her strong work at the Evans School have demonstrated her ability to synthesize complex concepts and to communicate with a rage of audiences.
Jasleen Kaur, Administrative Assistant
Jasleen joined Sound Cities Association as Administrative Assistant in September 2022. She brings to SCA fourteen years of experience in Human Resources and Administration, including previous work as Human Resource Assistant for the City of Federal Way. Jasleen was born and raised in New Delhi, India. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Delhi University, India; a master’s degree in Human Resources from Sikkim University, India; and a degree in Sound Recording and Radio Production from AAFT.