Meet Nancy

Nancy moved to Auburn at age six and has called it her home ever since.

She’s a proud Auburn High School graduate, studied at Green River College, and earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from City University.

Nancy is also a graduate of the Leadership Institute of South Puget Sound and the Dale Carnegie Leadership Advantage program.

Nancy has been married to her husband Kemon for more than 25 years. Their daughter, Lucky, graduated from Evergreen State College.

Before becoming mayor, Nancy served ten years as an Auburn City Councilmember.

At the same time, she built a 25-year career at Boeing and excelled as a Financial Manager. In 2011, she was even named BCFP Manager of the Year.

Mayor Backus’ leadership has yielded significant achievements.

A champion for regional collaboration, Mayor Backus has served on nearly 25 boards and committees advocating for Auburn.

    • All Home Member

    • Association of Washington Cities:
      Board Member District #13
      Legislative Priorities Committee Center for Quality Communities Scholarship Chair
      Finance and Audit Committee

    • Cities & Schools Member

    • Communities in Schools Member

    • Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County Treasurer

    • Greater Seattle Partners Executive Board Vice Chair

    • I-405/SR 167 Executive Advisory Group Member

    • King County Flood Control District Advisory Committee Member

    • King County Opioid Task Force Co-Sponsor with Seattle Mayor Murray & KC Executive Constantine

    • King County Regional Homelessness Authority Member

    • One Table Co-Sponsor with Former Seattle Mayor Durkan & Former KC Executive Constantine

    • Pierce County Cities and Towns Member

    • Puget Sound Regional Council:
      Executive Board

    • Regional Policy Committee:
      Vice Chair

    • Sound Cities Association: Public Issues Committee, Events Committee, Advisory Committee

    • Sound Transit:
      Board of Directors
      Executive Committee
      System Expansion Committee
      Finance & Audit Committee
      Everett Link Extension Elected Leadership

    • South Correctional Entity Regional Jail (SCORE):
      Board of Directors past Chair

    • South King Housing & Homelessness Partners (SKHHP):
      Chair

    • South Sound Affordable Housing Partners (SSHAP):
      Founding Member

    • U.S. Conference of Mayors:
      Veterans Affairs Taskforce

    • Valley Communications Center:
      Board of Directors (former chair)

    • Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA): Board of Governance Chair and Finance Committee

    • AWC Large City Advisory Committee

    • National League of Cities: Finance, Audit & Intergovernmental Relations Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) Council

    • PSRC Operations Committee and Transportation Selection Committee

    • SCA Board Member

    • Sound Transit Tacoma Link Extension Elected Leadership Technical Advisory Group Selection Committee

    • U.S. Conference of Mayors Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment & Sports Committee, Community Development & Housing

    • Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute First Cohort Member

Nancy played a key role in saving the King County Public Health Clinic in Auburn when it faced closure due to budget cuts—preserving critical healthcare access for thousands of community members.

She co-convened One Table with King County Executive Dow Constantine and former Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan to address homelessness and housing affordability challenges across the region.

Mayor Backus's commitment to public service has earned her numerous accolades.

Some of these include Soroptimist International's Women Helping Women Award (2002), Miss Auburn Scholarship Program's Lifetime Achievement Award (2013), BPW Woman of Achievement (2014), and the AMA Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service.

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As Auburn continues to grow, Nancy is focused on scaling investments in public safety, transportation, neighborhoods, and parks—while ensuring fiscal responsibility.

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Throughout the pandemic and beyond, Mayor Backus has provided strong leadership to help families and small businesses navigate unprecedented challenges.

Dedicated to women's empowerment and community service, Mayor Backus has been involved with the Auburn Food Bank, American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk, MDA Fill the Boot, and Holiday Toys for Kids Giveaway.

Every day, Mayor Backus works to ensure community needs remain at the forefront of decisions.

She strives to make Auburn a place where residents can be proud to live, work, and play.