As a proud Bellevue resident, Naren Briar brings a unique blend of local commitment, international humanitarian recognition, and a tech background to her campaign for Bellevue City Council. Her deep involvement in our community reflects her passion for making Bellevue an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Since making Bellevue her home, Naren has immersed herself in strengthening our community through meaningful action.
As a graduate of Bellevue Essentials—the city's civic engagement program—she gained comprehensive knowledge of our city's operations and was honored to be chosen by her peers as a class speaker.
Her commitment to lifelong learning and community engagement shows in her extensive local volunteer work, from mentoring high school students to creating enrichment programs for our seniors at the Bellevue Solista retirement center. Naren has focused on creating connections across generations. She hosts monthly dinner gatherings, bringing together senior citizens in retirement centers for shared meals, and open discourse about varying topics. But more importantly, she has worked with senior citizens to document the stories of Bellevue residents, which date back to 1929! Before Bellevue was even incorporated as a city.
Bridging innovation and community values in Bellevue's tech landscape.
From refugee roots to global advocacy: A story of resilience and bridge-building.
Her dedication to service stems from her remarkable journey as the daughter of Kurdish refugees who found safety and opportunity in America after fleeing Saddam Hussein’s Genocide of the Kurdish people. This background instilled in her a deep appreciation for strong, welcoming communities and effective local government.
Her international work, recognized and engaged by leaders across the political spectrum, (including Senator Elizabeth Warren and Republican Senator Richard Black) demonstrates her ability to build bridges and find practical alignment to complex challenges, like containing ISIS in the Middle East. Her expertise has been recognized through speaking invitations at prestigious institutions, including Harvard, Yale, and the BBC.