Roxanne Bryson (LK97)
Roxanne Bryson, Leadership Kitsap Class of 1997, was presented with the 2015 Leadership Kitsap Alumni Association (LKAA) Leadership Award on June 23, 2015 by LKAA Chair David Emmons at Kiana Lodge, Poulsbo, WA as part of the Leadership Kitsap Class of 2015 graduation program.
Bryson serves as Holly Ridge Center Executive Director. Co-worker Elizabeth Hoey shared, “Roxanne is a true leader and mentor. She inspires her staff, clients, families, and this community to challenge barriers and change perceptions that will increase full participation in community life for individuals with disabilities…She seeks continuous community change until we live in a world where everyone is accepted and valued for the person that they are.”
Over the years, Bryson has provided leadership and guidance to local coalitions and groups, such as the Bremerton Kiwanis, Ethnic Unity Coalition, Leadership Kitsap, Olympic Kitsap Peninsula Early Learning Coalition & Infant Toddler Department of Early Learning work group, Parent Coalitions, Partnership 2020, and local chambers of commerce. She was instrumental in creating partnerships with local non-profits to reduce duplication of services and moving the community to one-stop shopping and improving access to multiple service providers.
Bryson developed the first Primary Health Care Clinic for low-income uninsured in Kitsap County, Peninsula Community Health Services. She also helped develop Kitsap County’s first emergency housing program in collaboration with St. Vincent de Paul, and has been involved in many ongoing community services from the Women Infants and Children supplemental feeding program to the Christmas Angel program.
Bryson leads the Holly Ridge Center, a private non-profit agency whose mission is to enable children and adults with differing abilities to reach their fullest potential, creating a positive and lasting impact on the community. For more information about Holly Ridge Center, please visit hollyridge.org.
This year, Leadership Kitsap celebrates 20 years of strengthening communities through servant leadership. Since 1995, 503 leaders have graduated from the Leadership Kitsap program. Each year, a deserving alum is nominated and chosen based on the following guidelines: leadership attributes, contributions to the community through volunteer efforts, and demonstrated leadership skills. Leadership Kitsap is proud to recognize Roxanne Bryson as this year’s LKAA Leadership Award recipient.