October 7, 2024
Board of County Commissioners Announce the Appointment of Monica Negrila as Director of Strategic Initiatives
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce the appointment of Monica Negrila as Director of Strategic Initiatives. Monica officially started the position on October 1, 2024. A new role within the Skagit County Commissioner’s office, the Director of Strategic Initiatives is responsible for shaping and executing the strategic direction and growth of County initiatives, starting with a focus on North Star.
 North Star is a public-private partnership between Skagit County, our four local cities, housing and healthcare providers, first responders, and other community leaders. Using a collaborative approach to pool our resources, coordinate action, and streamline essential community services in housing and behavioral health, North Star is working to address chronic homelessness and create a thriving Skagit for all. Working together across jurisdictions to solve complex issues is unique in our region. It is also more effective, costs less, and gets people the support and services they need, when they need them.
“We are thrilled to have Monica onboard here at Skagit County,” said Commissioner Browning, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “Her experience and background are crucial to moving our North Star initiative forward and implementing smart, sensible solutions for the Skagit County community.”
Monica Negrila brings extensive experience in behavioral health and human services, with a strong focus on strategic planning, program development, and community engagement in both the public and non-profit sectors.
Monica is joining Skagit County from the City of Issaquah, where she spent the last six years creating and implementing various programs to address systemic needs in human services, behavioral health, homelessness, equity, and social justice. Among the initiatives she led were the creation of the city’s Behavioral Health and Homeless Outreach Program, the Emergency Housing Program, and the development of the Equity Board.
Before her role in Issaquah, Monica served as the Executive Director of IKRON of Greater Seattle, an outpatient behavioral health organization in King County, providing mental health, substance use disorder services, and vocational rehabilitation for youth and adults with chronic behavioral health conditions.
Monica holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Bucharest, Romania, and a master's degree in mental health counseling from the University of Cincinnati. She is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP).
In addition to her professional work, Monica is actively involved in the community, volunteering and serving on the Board of Directors for Friends of Youth, a nonprofit organization supporting unhoused children and young adults. She also contributed as an adjunct professor and guest speaker at Lake Washington Institute of Technology and Seattle University.
“I am honored to join the Skagit County community and team up with our wonderful city and community partners to build upon the work accomplished to date,” said Monica. “There are many meaningful programs already in place, and it is my hope that together, we can identify creative and innovative solutions that highlight those programs while working towards a more cohesive and streamlined approach that supports the most vulnerable residents in our community and, ultimately, the entire community of Skagit County.”
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