Pooneh Gray for Vancouver City Council

Experience. Compassion. Action.

About Me

I have lived nearly my entire life in Vancouver, including having graduated from Fort Vancouver High School. I went on to earn my bachelor’s degree from Washington State University and a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Idaho. For more than three decades, I have worked at the county, state, and private levels to create transitional housing programs for some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community.

I am also a private business owner and was involved in operating senior care facilities, including dementia care centers and retirement homes. In senior care, I recognized immediately that the environment needed to be not only home-like for the residents, but also a welcoming place for families. As part of that vision, I created interest areas throughout the facilities — spaces decorated with photos of old Hollywood, vintage cars, and other nostalgic items. These areas gave families the opportunity to walk with their loved ones, spark conversations, and connect through memories of the past.

In addition, I was involved with the state in creating community-based care settings for residents with severe mental illness and physical disabilities who were not able to live independently. These programs provided the wraparound support systems necessary to divert individuals from psychiatric hospitalization and give them a chance to live with dignity in a supportive environment.

My work has centered on treatment, rehabilitation, and skills training — building comprehensive support systems that give people the tools they need to succeed. I have focused on creating safe and stable housing environments that provide real paths to independence, helping individuals move forward with dignity and opportunity.

This lifelong commitment to people — from supporting vulnerable families to caring for seniors and advocating for those with serious mental health and physical challenges — is why I’m running for City Council. I know how to combine compassion with accountability, and I’m ready to fight for a Vancouver that prioritizes stability, safety, and opportunity for everyone who calls it home.