KING COUNTY YOUTH LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 2026 |
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Ready to make a difference in your community? Join young leaders and aspiring changemakers from every corner of the county for a full day of networking and collaborative learning as we champion the mission of the King County Youth Bill of Rights (Articles I.–X). This event is completely FREE and designed specifically for youth and young adults ages 14–24. |
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| Contact Us Phone: (206) 263-8653 Email: kwade@kingcounty.gov |
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King County Youth Bill of Rights Task Force IV reviewing data and discussing recommendations for a King County Youth Commission. |
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What is the King County Youth Leadership Summit all about? |
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The 2026 King County Youth Leadership Summit! Today is about championing the youth leadership through connection and collaboration. The script is flipped! At the King County Youth Leadership Summit, you are the experts and leaders. Get ready for a high-energy day of networking, creativity and advocacy as we work together to turn the King County Youth Bill of Rights, the future King County Youth Commission, and your vision into powerful realities. |
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Who can participate in the Youth Leadership Summit? |
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| The King County Youth Leadership Summit is open to passionate young changemakers, ages 14 to 24, who live, work, play, earn, or learn within King County. (If you are currently 24 and will turn 25 on or before May 30, you are still eligible and encouraged to join us.)
We are specifically looking for young leaders who have a deep interest in youth voice, social justice, and community change. If you’re ready to connect with your peers and help shape the future of our region through the Youth Bill of Rights, we want to see you there! |
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Jess Warner is the Chief of Staff for the Washington Youth Alliance and graduating senior at the University of Washington, where she studies International Security and Spanish. Outside of class she has served a variety of organizations that seek to expand youth and rural civic engagement. In her previous position, as a fellow for the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, she helped elect gun violence prevention champions, advocated for gun safety legislation at the state Capitol, and conducted research on the implementation of ERPO laws. Now at WYA, she advances their strategic plan, coordinates cross-departmental work, and supports event planning and operations so that staff and chapters at WYA are well-resourced to accomplish groundbreaking work across the state. Her work and background has inspired her to become a community advocate, with the desire to one day transition into the foreign service. When she finds time outside of her busy schedule she loves organizing hikes for Peaks & Professors, trying out new recipes, and exploring different Seattle neighborhoods! |
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Girmay Zahilay is the seventh elected King County Executive. He oversees one of the largest local governments in the country, leading more than 18,000 employees who provide services to 2.3 million residents. As the first immigrant, first refugee, and first millennial to hold the role of King County Executive, he is working to make county government more responsive to the people it serves.
Girmay lives in Tukwila with his wife, Joyce, and their daughter Jazzy. They are expecting their second daughter soon.
He approaches this work as a husband and father raising a young family in King County, guided by the same hopes shared by parents across the region. As Executive, he is committed to building a county that works for everyone. |
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The afternoon keynote address will be presented by The Good Foot Arts Collective spoken word artists. More information coming soon! |
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Get ready for a day of high-energy collaboration and advocacy! Below is the roadmap for our summit, featuring peer-led workshops, creative sessions, and Rights Round Relays—our signature speed-networking event where county leaders and organizations come to your table to hear your feedback. |
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| Time |
Activity |
| 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. |
Registration and getting settled.
Museum, Photobooth, and Fun Zone are open. |
| 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. |
Opening festivities, Welcome, and morning Keynote Address |
| 10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. |
Break and transition to Breakout Sessions #1 |
| 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. |
Breakout Sessions #1 |
| 11:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. |
Break and transition to Breakout Sessions #2 |
| 11:30 p.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions #2 |
| 12:15 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
Return to Side Gallery (main gathering place); Grab Boxed Lunch |
| 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. |
Lunch and Midday Keynote Address/Spoken Word presentation |
| 1:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. |
Right Round Relays and Recap |
| 3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
Secret Squirrel |
| 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
Bonus Time: Optional time for participants to
explore the Museum of Flight; Photobooth is open. |
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Check out the Breakout Session lineup for this year's King County Youth Leadership Summit. The icons above represent the King County Youth Bill of Rights Article that is most relevant to the session proposed. A schedule of the session times will be available in your packet on Summit Day. |
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Roots & Wings: Empowering Youth to Rise Together with Empathy and Impact |
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Youth Advocacy and Community through Youth Mental Health |
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Access Isn’t Equal:
Who Gets to Play in King County |
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How to Start a Movement: The Basics of Organizing and Finding Joy in the Fight |
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Leadership & Community Building |
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Centering Youth Voice: Play Equity, Storytelling, and Green Space Access |
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Building the Space You Needed: Youth Designing Belonging & Equity |
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Reclaiming Our Voice! Building a New King County Youth Commission |
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What is the King County Youth Bill of Rights? |
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| The King County Youth Bill of Rights is a formal declaration adopted by the King County Council in January 2025. It serves as a framework to ensure that the voices, needs, and priorities of young residents in King County are central to the county’s policy, program, and budget decisions.
While the Youth Bill of Rights itself is not law, it acts as a formal guide for the King County Executive, departments, and elected officials. Alongside its adoption, the project introduced three key recommendations: |
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- Policy Integration or Making it Count--making sure that decisions at the county prioritize young people.
- Formal of a King County Youth Commission (a big part of this year's summit discussions!)
- Renew or update the Youth Bill of Rights every 5 years.
The King County Youth Bill of Rights was shaped over several years by a task force of young leaders and incorporates input from more than 2,000 local youth ages 7 to 24. It identifies 10 (or X.) core priority areas/articles: |
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| I. BASIC NEEDS |
II. HEALTH |
III. EDUCATION & LEARNING |
| IV. EQUITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE |
V. SAFETY & SECURITY |
VI. COMMUNITY & BELONGING |
| VII. THE ENVIRONMENT |
VIII. TRANSPORTATION |
IX. YOUTH VOICE |
| X. RECREATION & SPORTS |
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The King County Youth Bill of Rights is dedicated to the memory of Sophie Theriault, a young advocate from Duvall whose vision helped inspire the initiative. |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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We anticipate that you have a ton of questions. So do we! CLICK HERE to check out our FAQs, or "frequently asked questions" page. |
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Contact our summit team if you have questions |
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Jessica Werner, Consultant jessica@moonsnailconsulting.com |
Kerry Wade, Best Starts for Kids Community Partnerships, kwade@kingcounty.gov | 206.263.8653 |
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Gracie McDanold, CYAB Young Leaders Subcommittee Co-Chair, cyab2@kingcounty.gov |
Zac Davis, Youth Policy Lead, 206.482.8710 | zacdavis@kingcounty.gov |
| Lidiya Gebre, Youth Healing Project Program Manager, ligebre@kingcounty.gov | 206.263.3605 |
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Ninona Boujrada, Healthy and Safe Environments Program Lead, ninona.bourjrada@kingcounty.gov | 206.263.5753 |
Makayla Wright, Youth Healing Project Program Lead mawright@kingcounty.gov | 206.848.0166 |
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