TPC Habitat’s new Policy and Advocacy Manager

Action and change start small, and for Courtney Acoff a career in community outreach and local government has been about advocating for her local community and addressing pressing social issues.  

With deep roots in Tacoma, where she was born and raised, Courtney has always been a component within the local community and government. Even in her high school years, she was involved in community affairs, interning for Metro Parks Tacoma her senior year at Foss High School. After receiving her BA in Communications in 2010 from the University of Washington, Tacoma, Courtney was offered a full-time position as Community Outreach and Engagement Specialist with Metro Parks. 

Courtney flourished in her position with Metro Parks, and it gave her the opportunity to build her foundation for strategic partnerships. She hosted the Tacoma Metro Parks community events and booths, educating the community about their programming and mission. This role established her network throughout the Tacoma community, which would later propel her into her work as a District Representative. 

“That was a really great opportunity. That was where I was really able to build the foundation of strategic partnerships.”

Courtney stepped away from this role for eight years due to a family move. Less than a month after returning back home in February of 2018, Metro Parks Tacoma created a community outreach position specifically for Courtney, eager to have her on board for their community outreach again. When Covid hit during her time in this role, it brought significant challenges, as it did for many industries, leaving a lasting and detrimental impact. 

“It was very challenging,” Courtney recalls, “But I was up for the challenge. I think I was very successful in the role.”

While out in the field doing community outreach, Courtney met council member Ryan Mello who was instrumental in the growth of her career. He reached out to her about a position as Pierce County District Representative for Congressman Derek Kilmer. Seeing a new opportunity to expand her horizons and career, Courtney made the daunting leap into politics pushing herself out of her comfort zone. She began her position as District Representative for Congressman Kilmer in May of 2021.  

“I really loved the work. I feel like I made a significant impact, and it was really heart-work because I was representing a community that I was from.” 

She worked closely with Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat’s Chief of Philanthropy, Sherrana Kildun, during her time as District Representative. So, when Congressman Kilmer announced his retirement in August 2024, and a Policy and Advocacy Manager position opened at Tacoma Habitat, Courtney seized the opportunity. New to affordable housing, Courtney feels excited about the opportunity to grow and expand in a new field. 

“I understand the bills and advocacy and how that actually works—the policy, legislative part, but I’m really new to housing, and so there is a lot to learn.”

Courtney believes that Tacoma Habitat’s mission of affordable homeownership is imperative in our community and economic climate. She is aware that homelessness and affordable housing is a trending issue in our community and believes that we need to keep it at the forefront of our elected officials’ minds, continuing the mission to fund affordable living. 

Seeing the importance of creating an impact for future generations, Courtney is passionate about the work she gets to do in her new role as Policy and Advocacy Manager at Tacoma Habitat. She believes in the collaborative nature of the Tacoma Community, a community that has willingness to bring others to the table to create partnerships and innovations. 

“At the local lower level, you do see a lot of partnerships and a lot of overlap in the work, and so I think it’s just important that we work together instead of working against each other.”

Courtney states that housing, like many issues, bleeds over into other areas of our community. To have housing you need a good paying job, and to have a good paying job, you likely need education. To have access to education you oftentimes need transportation. Courtney has realized within her career that the stability of a community relies on collaboration and understanding the intersectionality of social issues within our community and how we can work together to address them.  

“They system is designed for us to work against each other, but I feel like we get more done when we are partners and collaborate.”