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Sharmila K. Swenson, of Des Moines, was appointed to the Highline Board of Trustees on October 1, 2019.

Swenson is assistant vice president of public affairs for Symetra Life Insurance Company, a national provider of employee benefits, annuities and life insurance. In that role, she oversees the community relations program, corporate giving, employee community engagement and public affairs at the local, state and federal levels.

Her prior experience includes work in the private, public and nonprofit arenas, most recently serving as manager of local government affairs and public policy for Puget Sound Energy, the largest energy provider in Washington. Other positions of note include relationship development officer for Treehouse, a Seattle-area education nonprofit; national political coordinator for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; operations director for Governor Jay Inslee’s 2012 transition team; and deputy chief of staff for the 1st Congressional District, with a focus on energy, education, transportation and economic development.

Swenson serves on the boards of Treehouse and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

A Seattle native, she is a proud graduate of Mt. Rainier High School in the Highline School District and holds a degree in political science from the University of Washington.