OLYMPIA — Mayor Ashley Lara of Grandview has been elected to the board of directors of the Association of Washington Cities (AWC). The election was conducted by city leaders from across Washington state during AWC’s annual conference in Kennewick, Washington, held from June 24-27, 2025.
“I’m honored to serve on the AWC Board of Directors and represent the cities and towns of Yakima and Kittitas counties,” said Lara. “I look forward to working collaboratively with leaders across the state to strengthen our communities, advocate for shared priorities, and ensure that every city and town has the tools and support needed to thrive.”
The AWC Board of Directors is the association’s governing body. The board is comprised of 25 directors, 23 of whom are mayors or city councilmembers from Washington cities or towns, and two non-elected city officials representing the Washington City/County Management Association.
AWC CEO Deanna Dawson welcomed Mayor Lara’s election to the AWC Board of Directors. “Mayor Lara’s thoughtful leadership and deep commitment to public service are a tremendous asset as we work together to strengthen Washington’s 281 cities and towns,” said Dawson.
Lara was elected mayor in 2024 and brings a strong background in public policy and community advocacy to her role. She holds the AWC Certificate of Municipal Leadership and was part of the inaugural cohort of the Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute.
Lara has built long-standing relationships with local, state, and federal legislators, championing issues that matter to her community. Her experience includes working in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Washington State Senate, as well as leading government affairs for the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, where she focused on policies impacting community health and social services.
More than 500 officials representing 162 cities and towns across Washington attended the AWC Annual Conference to learn about issues critical to the success of cities. Attendees participated in over 45 educational sessions on topics ranging from legal roles and responsibilities to budgeting, infrastructure planning, collaborative leadership, our state’s economic outlook, emerging technologies and more.
Founded in 1933, Association of Washington Cities (AWC) is a nonprofit corporation that represents Washington’s 281 cities and towns. AWC’s mission is to build connections between Washington state’s diverse cities and towns, while providing their members with the support needed to thrive through delivery of data-driven education, nationally recognized pooling programs, and nonpartisan advocacy. Membership is voluntary; however, AWC consistently maintains 100% participation from Washington’s 281 cities and towns.
A complete list of AWC Board of Directors is available on the association’s website.