Board of Directors
The current Highlands Neighborhood Association (HNA) Board of Directors is listed below followed by a short bio for each member. Board members are elected every two years in odd years. Our next election will be in December 2027.
The HNA Board is looking for new members and needs your participation. Please contact HNA Board if you are interested in participating.
HNABoard@gmail.com
The HNA Board of Directors looks forward to working with you.
- Mari Bercaw
- Kara Pietila
- Karen Story
- Gary Bustinduy
- Kevin Dunlap
- Matthew Sachs
- Barb Thompson
- Murray McKinney, Sr.
Mari Bercaw – Chair
Mari and her husband Hyer, have lived in the Highlands since 1996. Her three kids went to local schools. She’s been on the Highlands board since 2005. She’s been chair since 2022.
Karen Story – Secretary
Karen has lived in Kirkland since 1988, and in the Highlands since 1999. She’s been on the High;ands Board since 2002, and has served as Chair for 16 years.
Kara Pietila – Treasurer
Kara has lived in the Highlands from 2007 – 2013, then moved away to be near family in California. They loved the Highlands neighborhood and moved back in 2017. She feels fortunate to live and raise her children in a place with so many wonderful parks, places to walk, and friendly people. She would like to serve her neighbors by representing us to the City, ensuring concerns have a place to be heard, and championing the events and improvements desired by the people who live here. Kara has been on the board since 2019.
Gary Bustinduy – Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods Representative
Gary has lived in the Highlands Neighborhood since 1985. He is retired and has time and energy to give back to the city and community that he holds dear. He joined the Board in 2024. Gary is our neighborhood’s representative to the Kirkland Alliancce of Neighborhoods (KAN). He strives to ensure that our neighborhood’s needs, desires and vision are heard and that the Highlands neighborhoood and the City of Kirkland continue to be a place we all want to live.
Board Members at Large
Kevin Dunlap
Kevin, over a decade ago, founded Highlands Nextdoor.com group. He and his wife Tracy and three kids have lived in the Highlands since 1987. He is recovering from being on Nextdoor and created this new Highlands Website. He’s been on the Highlands board since 2016.
Matthew Sachs
Matthew and his wife Liz moved to the Highlands in 2014. They have two children. He’s been on the Highlands board since 2016.
Barb Thompson
Barb is a longtime Kirkland Highlands resident who cares deeply about fostering a connected, welcoming neighborhood. With business experience at several Seattle technology organizations, she brings practical skills in organization and collaboration. During her daughter’s years in Lake Washington Schools, she enjoyed volunteering on a variety of projects that strengthened the community. She would be honored to continue that service as a member of the neighborhood board, working to improve communication and support local projects that benefit us all.
Murray McKinney Sr.
Murray has lived in the Highlands since 1976, and has seen a lot of changes in Kirkland (some good, some not so good). He has been instrumental in working with the city on the water pressure issue. He believes it’s important to be vigilant about the decisions that are made by the City Council and Manager.