Zheng Zhou recently marked his two-year anniversary with the Human Services Department’s Youth and Family Empowerment (YFE) division, where he serves as an administrative specialist. In his role, he supports the Planning Development, Food and Nutrition, and Grants and Contracts teams, collaborating with more than 20 colleagues to enhance services for Seattle’s families. Zheng values building connections across teams and emphasizes a culture focused on mental health and work-life balance, which he finds inspiring.

Zheng’s job has evolved to prioritize people-first values, allowing him to foster relationships that enrich his work experience. He takes pride in supporting initiatives that promote racial equity, such as improving language access and advocating for women- and minority-owned business enterprises. Zheng believes that equity is reflected in everyday decisions and strives to remove barriers for community members.

His motivation stems from the relationships he has built and the positive feedback he receives from the community. Zheng finds fulfillment in knowing that his efforts contribute to making a difference in people’s lives, reinforcing his commitment to kindness and service.