Kathleen Olson, a member of the Rotary Club of Arlington, has been selected as the District 5050 Governor Nominee Designate by the District's Nominating Committee and will serve as District Governor in 2026-27.
Kathleen Marie Olson Rotary Bio
Kathleen is currently serving as an Assistant Governor in Area J. She brings extensive Rotary experience, having served as the Club President of the Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 in 2004-2005 and in leadership positions in Rotary District 5020.
- Rotary Club of Arlington
- Assistant Governor, Rotary District 5050, Area J (2023-2025)
- Past President Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 (2004-2005)
- Executive Director, Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers (December 2017-Present)
Kathleen was born and raised in Southern California. She graduated from William S. Hart High School and attended Los Angeles Valley College. She is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator and has earned Certificates in Fundraising and Public Relations. Since 1990, Kathleen has held leadership positions in nonprofit organizations focused on social services and animal welfare. Prior to that, she worked as an advertising agency executive, journalist, and airline flight attendant.
In 1994, Kathleen joined Tacoma #8 Rotary Club and has actively participated in various roles, including Club President 2004-2005. She has served as the Auction Committee and Foundation Committee Chair and co-chaired the 2007 District 5020 Conference in Tacoma. Kathleen has also been a facilitator at several training events, including the Pacific Northwest President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS), District 5020 Training Assemblies, and the South Sound Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is a Paul Harris Fellow +8 and a Rotary Foundation Benefactor.
Kathleen and Rick met in 1994 while volunteering at the Emergency Food Network in Tacoma. They got married six months later and merged their families, each with two sons. Rick joined Rotary in 1996 and has served as Sgt. of Arms three times, currently at the Rotary Club of Arlington. In December 2017, Kathleen accepted the Director position at Purrfect Pals, prompting their move to Arlington to be closer to family in Bellingham, where Kathleen's brother-in-law, Robert, is also a Rotarian. She and Rick joined the Marysville Rotary Club in 2018 and transferred to the Arlington Rotary Club closer to home and work in 2021.
Throughout her life, Kathleen has been actively involved in community volunteerism. She has held officer positions on several local, regional, and statewide nonprofit boards focused on social services, the arts, education, and animal welfare.
Kathleen and Rick enjoy volunteering at community events, cruises, golf, cheering for the Seahawks, Kraken, and Mariners sports teams, and spending time with family and friends. They are dog foster parents for Old Dog Haven and currently have four senior Chihuahuas and two senior cats.