A Message From Kylie

Team Nevada ‘24

I can hardly believe my time as a staff member at Common Power (CP) is coming to an end. It feels fitting to share a message in the very kind of blog post I asked others to write in my most recent role as a Senior Associate in the Marketing and Comms Department. This one is for you, my community, as much as it is for me. 

As I prepared to write this, I started by revisiting my reflections from the first few quarters of my CP journey. I say “quarters” in the academic sense because, when I started as an intern during my sophomore year at UW, writing reflections was part of the structure David and I set up so I could earn credit. In my review three key themes stood out: growth, purpose, and resilience. While I didn’t necessarily recognize these at the time, or at every moment over the past six years, these words have stayed with me since the beginning. I’ll use them now to frame the rest of this blog post.

Growth

Kylie at a CP celebration in 2019

CP was my first "big girl job”. I was 19, eager, a little unsure, and completely unaware of how integral CP would become to my development as a professional and person. I learned how to navigate a workplace, carry myself, and take on real responsibility. I was stretched, but in an environment that encouraged me to try, fail, and try again. This can be rare and invaluable for a young person just starting out. 

I also learned from watching many types of leaders in action. Each brought their own strengths and styles. Over time, I took pieces from all of them to shape my own.

But my growth wasn’t limited to skill; it was personal too. Throughout this work, I saw more of the United States than I could have ever dreamed of or thought I wanted to. On just my second CP trip, I went to South Carolina and found myself talking to students at Bob Jones University and even attending a Trump rally. These experiences challenged my assumptions and opened my perspective. 

Traveling with CP exposed me to different ways of living, communicating, and organizing. Just like with the various types of leadership, I integrated pieces I admired into my life. For example, I say hi to strangers on the streets in Seattle now. I bring with me the lessons I learned and moments of warmth I experienced. 

Team NC ‘20

Team NC ‘24

Another part of my growth was learning to own my identity as a person of color. Being a trans-racial adoptee, this hasn’t always been easy for me. I’ve struggled with the concept of belonging. Charles played a huge role in this; he saw me and helped me find my voice. I’ll also never forget what David said during a particularly challenging moment: “All we want is for you to show up authentically”. The encouragement I received from leadership gave me the confidence to lead as my full self. 

PURPOSE

Staff Learning Tour Birmingham Alabama ‘22

It’s a running joke amongst staff that I have had more managers than anyone else. Over the years, I helped create programs, like Action Academy, and watched entire arms of the CP ecosystem, like the Institute, form. I’ve seen colleagues, volunteers, and partner organizations come and go. People often ask me what’s kept me here so long. Full transparency: I’ve asked myself that too. 

For me, the answer comes back to purpose.

Through every organizational shift, I remained grounded in CP’s mission and the community it built. Even in the hardest moments, I could return to that shared sense of "why". At my core, I knew this work aligned with my values, but in many ways, it helped me discover and define those values more clearly. Though the cast of characters has changed over the years, the heart of this community never has. I stayed because of the people.

RESILIENCE

John Lewis Day Votercade May ‘21

John Lewis Day Votercade May ‘21

From the very beginning, David told me this wouldn’t be your typical internship, and he wasn’t kidding. I moved from an intern to a full-time staff member in six months, then took a quarter off in the fall of 2020 to work on the elections. I learned to adapt at a pace that was unfamiliar—and sometimes uncomfortable—for a Type A planner like me, but it was exactly what I needed to grow. I navigated shifts in role, organization changes, and a constantly evolving political landscape.

These experiences tested my mindset. I learned that resiliency isn’t about having all the answers or a clear path. Instead, it's about becoming your own source of stability, trusting yourself and those around you, and showing up anyway. 

Seahawks Game With CP Staff ‘23

I am proud to leave Common Power with a deep sense of gratitude. I am grateful for every early morning call, every last-minute pivot, and every door knock. I will also be eternally grateful for the opportunities that allowed me to grow beyond CP, including the Higher Education Fund that enabled me to pursue my MBA and the Gratitude Package that ensured a safe departure. A special thanks to my (most recent) manager, Wole, whose support and guidance made these possibilities a reality.

While I feel bittersweet about moving on, I know my community remains. That’s the thing about community: it doesn’t end when a job does. No matter what’s next, I know we’ll continue to go Further Together.

- Kylie Knowles

Team South Carolina ‘22