Auburn's Dedicated Leader

Nancy Backus made history as Auburn's first elected female mayor since the city's incorporation in 1891. Elected in 2014 and now serving her third term, Mayor Backus brings a unique blend of public service commitment and financial expertise to her leadership role.

Born in Wichita, Kansas, Nancy moved to Auburn at age six and has called it home ever since. A product of the Auburn School District and proud Auburn High School graduate, she earned her education at Green River College and received a B.S. in Accounting from City University. Nancy is also a graduate of the Leadership Institute of South Puget Sound and Dale Carnegie Leadership Advantage program.

Before becoming mayor, Nancy served ten years as an Auburn City Councilmember while simultaneously building a 25-year career at Boeing, where she excelled as a Financial Manager and was named “BCFP Manager of the Year” in 2011.

Mayor Backus’ leadership has yielded significant achievements, including 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.

A champion for regional collaboration, Mayor Backus has served on nearly 20 boards and committees advocating for Auburn's interests, including:

• Sound Transit Board of Directors (Finance & Audit Committee Chair)

• Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board

• Greater Seattle Partners Leadership Board Vice Chair

• South King Housing & Homeless Partners (Chair)

• Regional Homeless Governance Authority

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, including 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.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Backus provided strong leadership to help families and small businesses navigate unprecedented challenges. As Auburn continues to grow, she remains focused on making investments in public safety, transportation, neighborhoods, and parks while ensuring fiscal responsibility.

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.

Nancy has been married to her husband Kemon for more than 25 years, and they have a daughter, Lucky, who graduated from Evergreen State College.

Every day, Mayor Backus works to ensure community needs remain at the forefront of decision-making, striving to make Auburn a place where residents can be proud to live, work, and play.