2026 Woman of Excellence Award

AAUW Women of Excellence 2026 Selection Committee, Port Townsend Branch, American Association of University Women, Kelli Parcher has been nominated for the Women of Excellence Award for 2026. I know that Kelli is well deserving of this award based on all identified criteria outlined in the nomination form: Role Model, Change Agent, Teacher/Mentor, and Community Activist. I write this with confidence having known and worked with Kelli for over 25 years.

While I have observed and worked with Kelli since she was a young adult, my experience working with her deepened when I contracted with her to manage The Proctor House, a county-funded, local alternative detention home for system-involved youth in Jefferson County. This program was “one of a kind” in the nation and a groundbreaker in the area of a new approach for juvenile justice youth in need of a structured setting for a limited period of time. During her years managing the “Proctor House,” Kelli supervised staff; created programming for participating youth; provided supervision and guidance to residents while showing compassion and care to some of our community’s most challenging young people.

Let me be clear: this is tricky work. Professionalism and safety are of utmost importance at all times while working with this specific population. To do this successfully, one must have a great understanding of youth development, mental health issues, substance abuse disorders, and a profound appreciation of what it is like to be a young person navigating the world.

Not only did Kelli successfully manage this program, staff, and all youth moving through the “House,” her ability to appropriately connect with kids proved invaluable to me, juvenile department staff, parents, and most importantly, the youth she supported. Both kids and parents would call her, text her, meet up with her – all long after they had been discharged from the system. They trusted her. She was there. She always knew how to help.

I retired from my position as Juvenile Court Administrator in 2023, right as Kelli was increasing her personal capacity to a population she had often spoken about with worry. What happens when young people are “nearly” adults and don’t have the support and personal skills to traverse early adulthood successfully? Where do they live? How do they succeed financially? If they have not completed formal schooling, how do they re-engage or get employed? In Kelli fashion, she only ruminated for a short time before she moved into action. I think Kelli’s experience with struggling youth highlighted for her the vital need that young people have for safe spaces and adult encouragement.

In addition to being a “caretaker,” Kelli is known for getting stuff done. When she has a goal – she evaluates the immediate, creates a vision for the future, and gets started. Ask anyone who has worked alongside Kelli as she knits together a dream and a reality. Her vision for the Pfeiffer House, a supportive housing program for homeless young adults or those at-risk of homelessness in uptown Port Townsend, became a reality in a matter of months. Some head scratching, funding applications, galvanizing bodies to help in the physical work, negotiating with local service providers and city management, and it was done. The non-profit OWL360 was born and it was just the beginning. Despite the organizing, the handshaking, the painting and the gathering of furniture, Kelli never loses sight of who is at the center. The person who needs help. She is never too busy to lend a hand, or listen.

While I have marveled at Kelli’s successes over the past two years, and have met with her often to talk about her next project and/or how things are going, I can’t help but remember her when she was in her 20’s, just starting to figure out who she really wanted to be. It hasn’t been easy – there have been bumps in the road. But Kelli’s resilience and steadfast commitment to what she believes in keeps her moving forward.

Yes, Kelli is a role model for professionals who want to know how to move projects forward; for anyone who thinks something “can’t be done,” and for our community’s young adults who just need a hand. Yes, Kelli is a change agent – the proof is in the pudding. She has created multiple housing and supportive programs for those who, prior to her attention and intention, were floundering. Yes, Kelli is a teacher and mentor. She has, over the years, taught hundreds of kids evidence-based programs enhancing social skills for youth, including co-creating programs that have been used by professionals across Washington State. Additionally, she continues the daily mentoring of OWL360 staff and those who receive services at the Nest. Yes, Kelli is a community activist. One only needs to witness her engaging with community members who have reservations about the presence of a “homeless” program in their neighborhood.

Kelli is remarkably skilled in connecting with all folks in our community – maybe because she grew up here or maybe because she knows it matters. But, most importantly, when she sees a need in our community, she ACTS.

I hope that I have done a fair job in describing how Kelli has made a difference in her community and deserves your praise. One thing more. Kelli would never ask for anyone’s attention or accolades. In fact, she is uncomfortable with the attention. That is one aspect of Kelli’s professional development I was never successful at achieving: how to acknowledge and accept success and praise from others. This is a lesson I think you at AAUW are well-suited to help her learn.

Thank you!

Barbara Carr

To Whom it may Concern: I am honored to write in support of the nomination of Kelli Prichard for AAUW’s 2025 Woman of Excellence Award. I have known Kelli for several years in her capacity as Executive Director of OWL360. During most of that time I have served on OWL360’s board of directors and I will be focusing my comments here from that perspective.

OWL360 evolved in response to critical realities in our community: that our youth and young adults, especially post covid, were falling through the cracks. Jobs were scarce, housing was unaffordable, opportunities for high quality workforce training and higher education were few and far between. Poverty rates tend to be relatively high for this demographic and it is known that the percentages of disconnected youth in Jefferson County are higher than either of our neighboring counties and at 25% is twice the national average (Measure of America). In addition, we know that 55% of Washington State students do not earn a postsecondary credential beyond their high school diploma after 8 years. The rate in Jefferson County is 70% (ERDC).

Under Kelli’s leadership and in a very short time, OWL360 has evolved from a budding “youth center” to a pivotal partner that is recognized throughout our region as the “go to” agency for vulnerable youth and young adults in east Jefferson County. Besides secure housing, OWL360 also offers programs that help youth and young adults build workforce skills, attend college, and develop leadership skills to enhance civic engagement.

Among many of her accomplishments: In partnership with Skillmation, she was the brains behind building the most comprehensive list of youth resources in the area, HOOT360. She has secured safe and affordable housing that provided 4,000+ bed nights to 23 young people and 3 small children in 2025. She has built a staff of 11 and now oversees a budget of $500,000 +/- that provides housing, social services, mental health support, free high-quality educational opportunities, and a safe and creative gathering place in the Nest for our most vulnerable youth and young adults.

As someone who has worked with vulnerable populations, especially young adults and non-traditional students, for over 30 years, I know how challenging this work can be. People who are successful in building and guiding these programs are called on to manifest a great deal of balance, both between their own personal lives and professional work, as well as in positions where they are role models: balance between empathy and accountability, creativity and structure, skills and aspirations, work/life commitment and self-care. When working with young adults, these challenges are magnified because of the volatility of these young lives. Over and over, I have seen Kelli model these balances for the young people she serves, as well as for her staff.

(I think it is particularly important for women to develop and support these kinds of balances for each other and want to point out that Kelli’s staff is — although not by design — is all women. Most of these women are relatively young, and so these positions will be transitional for them. What they gain from working with Kelli will serve them, and the communities they in turn choose to serve, for the rest of their lives.)

In closing, I want to include the Values described on OWL360’s website because, while she may not have authored this section, I know these are Kelli’s values, to the heart: We create a culture of belonging where people feel seen and heard. We are committed to accountability and integrity to deliver high quality programming. We act with courage to challenge the status quo and address difficult situations with restorative, creative approaches. We operate through a lens of humanity and maintain transparency, dignity, and respect. We center community and care to support healthy relationships.

I strongly urge you to positively consider Kelli’s nomination. It is coming from her peers, and it is not so much speaking to her accomplishments — what she has done, which is impressive — but who she is: someone with enormous integrity and compassion, who is nurturing and guiding the future leaders of our community, especially young women.

Sincerely,

Lela Hilton

I would like to nominate Kelli Parcher for the Woman of Excellence award in our Jefferson County community. Kelli is a remarkable individual whose strength, compassion, and leadership have had a lasting impact on everyone around her, including me. Kelli is not only a strong and inspiring woman, she is a motivator and a mentor to many. I have been fortunate to work alongside her and receive support to grow my leadership skills. She encourages me, and others, to pursue their passions, often going out of her way to support those who may be facing instability in their life. Through her guidance and empathy, she helps people find that stability and strength. In her professional life, Kelli is known for fostering teamwork and creating a positive, supportive environment wherever she goes. She leads by example through hard work, dedication, and genuine care for others. Her ability to balance ambition with kindness sets her apart; she consistently puts the needs of others before her own while still achieving so much to help her community. She embodies what it means to be a Woman of Excellence driven yet humble, hardworking yet compassionate, and always striving to make her community a better place. A true role model. This is why I would like to nominate Kelli Parcher. 

Hannah Nordstrom

Kelli is an exceptional role model whose actions consistently reflect the values she teaches. She leads with dignity, respect, and authenticity, qualities that inspire others to show up as their best selves. She sets high expectations while offering genuine support to create environments where people feel both challenged to grow and cared for. Kelli models determination and follow-through in her personal and professional life. She demonstrates how to pursue goals with purpose while remaining grounded in humility. Her professionalism and integrity set a clear example of what it means to lead with both strength and grace. When faced with obstacles, Kelli models resilience showing that growth often comes through perseverance and self-belief. She reminds others that leadership isn’t about status, but about how you treat people, how you hold yourself accountable, and how you stay true to your values even when it’s hard. She is unafraid to make mistakes and quickly leverages that learning to continue growing. Through her example, Kelli empowers those around her to rise higher, believe in their potential, and lead with integrity. She is a humble role model to all those around her.

Change Agent Kelli is deeply committed to lasting change. She is dedicated to the long game and pairs big-picture vision with boots on the ground to create bold and sustained action. She is skilled at engaging collaborators, finding creative solutions to seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and pacing herself to avoid burnout. Kelli understands that true change is a team effort and doesn’t center herself, but instead empowers others to lead, creating a foundation for lasting impact. She connects people, ideas, and resources to create a community where everyone, especially young people, can thrive. Her restorative work with the local juvenile justice system stands as a model for dignity, accountability, and hope. Through strong community partnerships and the stewardship of innovative programs, she has transformed lives locally while influencing the field nationally. Whether building community coalitions or training youth advocates across the country, Kelli embodies what it means to be a change agent: visionary, grounded, and relentlessly committed to supporting young people and their communities.

Teacher/Mentor Kelli is a teacher and mentor in the truest sense. She is driven by service and grounded in humility. She shares her knowledge generously, offering her skills and wisdom wherever they are needed. Her approach is clear and direct, balancing honesty with encouragement to help others grow in confidence and ability. Kelli empowers young people by teaching practical life skills and leadership tools that build independence and self-belief. She meets each person where they are, recognizing potential and helping them see it in themselves. Her lessons go beyond technique or task; she models respectful communication, accountability, and integrity showing what it means to lead with purpose and authenticity. As a mentor, Kelli creates spaces where learning is mutual and growth is shared. She listens deeply, challenges thoughtfully, and celebrates progress, no matter how small. Her calm presence and clear guidance help others navigate obstacles and move forward with courage. Kelli’s gift as a teacher lies not only in what she knows, but in how she teaches. She models patience, clarity, and heart. Through her mentorship, countless young people and her peers have discovered their voice, their value, and their ability to create meaningful change.

Community Activist Kelli might not call herself an activist, but her work is activism in action. Through her tireless commitment to empowering young people, she challenges systems to do better and helps create new possibilities that uplift the entire community. Kelli believes that change begins at the local level with relationships, collaboration, and courage. She shows up every day to make that change real. In her work, Kelli bridges gaps between organizations, systems, and the people they serve. She listens to youth voices, brings decision-makers to the table, and helps build programs that reflect the real needs of the community. Her approach to activism is rooted in connection and accountability. She is less concerned about the spotlight and more about impact. Kelli’s leadership reminds others that advocacy doesn’t always look like protest; sometimes it looks like partnership, persistence, and compassion. By helping young people build confidence, access opportunity, and find belonging, she strengthens the whole community. Her work transforms empowerment into action and turns vision into measurable change. Kelli’s activism is quiet but powerful. She demonstrates a daily practice of believing in people, challenging inequity, and proving that when young people are supported and empowered, everyone benefits.