Born and raised in Seattle, Mares graduated from Whitman College with a bachelor’s degree in French and economics. Mares has managed social media platforms to build support for marginalized communities, particularly low-income and homeless populations in Walla Walla, Washington. In the years since graduating, she’s primarily worked in youth development in South Seattle. Her previous work experience includes running a youth program with Refugee Women’s Alliance, supervising a youth internship program with Seattle Housing Authority for a pavement to parks project and analyzing higher education policy at Economic Opportunity Institute. Her broad experience with nonprofits also includes grant writing, fundraising and participating in United Way’s board training program, Project LEAD.

Mares is passionate about building grassroots power and supporting marginalized communities. In her time outside of work, she enjoys reading, finding new places to eat and living in peace with her cat.