Kerston Swartz has a long career in government, non-profits, and public engagement. She has worked for Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA, since 2014, focusing on building state and federal conservation policy work, strengthening partnerships with governments and agencies, working at the national level with other zoos and aquariums on advocacy, and helping to ensure public support. Before joining the zoo, Kerston worked on the Alaskan Way Viaduct project, helping to disseminate viaduct removal and tunnel building communications to the downtown and Pioneer Square communities. Kerston has a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington Evans School.