For the Reporter

Kent City Council President Bill Boyce on Tuesday presented Mayor Dana Ralph with the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities.

Ralph earned the certificate for completing more than 60 hours of AWC’s municipal leadership training program.

The program includes training in four core areas:

• Roles, responsibilities and legal requirements;

• Public sector resource management;

• Community planning and development; and

• Effective local leadership

“Cities and towns around the state are continually transforming in light of changing laws and the need to meet new challenges and opportunities,” said AWC CEO Peter B. King.

“Our Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership recognizes mayors and council members who continue to enhance the tools they need today to understand the legal landscape, plan for the future, manage their resources and foster strong relationships,” King added. “The elected officials who earn this certificate demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and a desire to bring new ideas back to their communities.”

A lifelong Kent resident, Ralph has served the city for more than a decade. From 2012 through 2017, she served on the City Council, including two years as council president. She served as the chair of the Operations Committee and as a member of the Public Works, Parks and Human Services, and Public Safety Committees, in addition to other city roles.

In addition, Ralph has represented Kent’s regional interests on the board of directors for the Sound Cities Association, the SCA Regional Law, Safety and Justice Committee, the PSRC Transportation Policy Board, chaired the South County Area Transportation Board and the Drug Free Communities Coalition and served as vice president of the Kent Kiwanis Club, primary representative on the Flood Control District Advisory Committee, member of the Kent Auburn Tamba Sister Cities Association and the board of the Water Resource Inventory Area 9.

Prior to being elected to office, Ralph held positions on the Land Use and Planning Board and the Kent Arts Commission.