Meet Rose

Hi, I’m Rose Gundersen. I’m your neighbor, and a long time resident of Thurston County for the last 24 years. I’m running for Port Commissioner, because this is where I’ve raised my kids.  I want to help make it a place where people can work, live, play and thrive.

For democracy to advance, it is vital to include different voices to inform decision-making. I desire to bring a neighborly approach should I be elected – to nurture a culture of listening generously, bringing my best, and giving my best to the people of Thurston County.

I have advocated on behalf of those who are voiceless by using my law school education to combat human trafficking through prevention. True prevention takes community organizing to make a difference at the local level. I co-founded a nonprofit (formerly Washington Engage and now Washington Trafficking Prevention WTP) that focuses on education along the Puget Sound area, and facilitated volunteers to organize Race Against Trafficking 5K in Thurston County. I researched policies and worked with legislators in a bi-partisan manner to strengthen our state’s human trafficking laws between 2010-2013. By 2012, Washington received the top rating of all 50 states for our human trafficking laws. 

While I was proud of these accomplishments, I saw the need to care for my neighbors by addressing other pressing issues facing our community -- local small businesses collapsing from the COVID-19 economy, homeless neighbors on the rise, and our environment's health steadily declining. After a 14-year commitment to addressing human trafficking in our communities through policy advocacy, co-founding WTP, growing the board, and organizing local fundraising opportunities, I’m proud to say that I rolled off of the board in December 2022, in search of the next issue to tackle.

In addition to my 14 years of service to the community, I have been a successful entrepreneur, specializing in supporting businesses as the Small Business Liaison at Labor & Industries for 3 1/2 years before my current role as the Vice President of Operations & Retail Services for the Washington Retail Association in 2019. 

Watch this brief 2-minute video to learn why my unique blend of lived experience and professional background sets me apart as the ideal candidate.

Please visit my priorities page here to learn more about the priorities I have for office as your next Port Commissioner in District 4!