Patricia Gosch

My work is shaped by professional experience and lived reality.

A career in law enforcement and public service has included leading programs focused on community safety, supporting missing persons investigations, and working in close partnership with Tribal communities across Washington State. That work has revealed gaps that often exist between systems and the communities served—and the critical role of trust built through consistency, respect, and accountability.

Connection to this work is also deeply personal.

Previously a foster parent, having extended kinship networks, and a descendant of a federal Indian boarding school survivor, bringing a perspective shaped by lived experience and a deep understanding of loss, resilience, and the lasting impacts of historical and intergenerational trauma. These experiences inform relationship-building, listening, and engagement—with a strong commitment to culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices.

Work alongside Tribal leaders, advocates, and partner agencies has supported efforts addressing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People (MMIWP), with a focus on strengthening collaboration and improving system responses.

At the core of my work is a belief that meaningful change happens at the intersection of relationships, accountability, and action. Focus remains on building trust and creating solutions informed by the voices and experiences of those most impacted.

Because when systems listen, relationships strengthen—and when relationships strengthen, real change becomes possible.