September 24, 2025

Kitsap County

Jewell

Kitsap County has appointed Kirsten M. Jewell as assistant county administrator. Jewell brings more than 20 years of public service leadership, including extensive experience in Kitsap County government and recent service at the state Department of Commerce. Most recently, Jewell served as interim housing policy director at the state Department of Commerce, where she led the Policy and Strategic Initiatives Unit for the Housing Division. In this role, she supervised a team of five policy specialists and provided strategic leadership on complex, politically sensitive projects across state agencies. She guided statewide housing initiatives, developed legislative policy, and strengthened collaborative relationships with key partners including the governor's office, state legislators and community organizations. Prior to her state service, Jewell spent eight years as manager of the Housing and Homelessness Division for Kitsap County's Department of Human Services, where she oversaw multimillion-dollar grant portfolios, and partnered extensively with community partners to implement new housing programs and services. Jewell's earlier county experience includes 11 years with the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council, where she managed countywide initiatives and coordinated regional legislative policy development. She holds an Executive Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, and a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton College.