Karan Gill

Deputy Executive

Karan Gill assists the County Executive in managing the day-to-day operations of the county in collaboration with the Cabinet and the Senior Leadership team. He is responsible for leading the strategic direction and coordination for the Executive’s priorities — and advising on emerging issues, policy development, and external and governmental relations. He also serves on the Senior Leadership Team. Prior roles in the Executive’s Office include Chief of Staff and Council Relations Director in former Executive Dow Constantine’s office. 

Prior to joining the Executive’s Office, he was Chief of Staff to former King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove. He also worked at the Washington State Legislature for House Speaker Frank Chopp and served as a community relations lead for a local anti-poverty nonprofit in South King County. Gill has also served on various nonprofit boards including the Budget and Policy Center and the South King County Human Services Council. Gill has more than 20 years of experience in governmental affairs, external relations, and policy advocacy. 

Karan was raised in Renton and has called King County home for over 40 years. Karan is married to his wife, Lita, and has two sons. 

Whitney Abrams

Chief People Officer

Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams spearheads our employee culture strategy to make King County a place where all employees have the tools, support, resources, and opportunity to do their best work for our community.

Whitney is a member of the Senior Leadership Team for King County Executive Dow Constantine. She has extensive knowledge and experience working on human resources, operations, and labor issues. She has more than 15 years’ experience as a union negotiator, including leading negotiations for the King County Coalition of Unions, and has served for 10 years in County executive leadership. Whitney is responsible for King County’s strategic workforce planning, workplace culture, and employee engagement. She ensures county leadership has the vision, tools, and resources for effective and aligned leadership and operations. The Department of Human Resources and Office of Labor Relations report to her, and all County Executive departments report to her on people, culture, and campus safety.

Kristin Elia

Communications Director

Kristin leads the executive communications team, developing and guiding the communications strategy for Executive Constantine’s priorities and working closely with departments to coordinate storytelling opportunities that highlight how King County is making a welcoming community where every person can thrive.

Kristin has more than 15 years of experience in issue advocacy, communications, campaign organizing, and strategic planning. Before joining the executive’s office, Kristin worked at Weber Shandwick — a global communications and public relations agency. She also worked with the Washington state affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, developing and overseeing strategies for education advocacy campaigns and before that for several nonprofits focused on issue advocacy in the political and legislative realms.