“How are you holding up?” with Kit Stephenson ’85 & Ingrid Ulrey ’85

Kit Stephenson ’85, Assistant Director at the Bozeman Public Library invited Ingrid (Smith) Ulrey ’85 to speak at a May 13th library event titled, “How are you holding up? The pandemic’s wide-ranging effects on mental health.” Ulrey is the Policy Director at Public Health for Seattle & King County, one of the largest metropolitan health departments in the U.S. The online panel was part of the Bozeman’s award-winning speaker series, SymBozium, which features current topics and speakers from varied points of view.

Ulrey has more than 20 years of experience in health care policy and advocacy. She previously served as the Advocacy Director for the Washington State office of AARP, and before that Senior Policy Analyst for the Service Employees International Union based in Washington, DC. More than five years living and working in the Middle East and Southeast Asia give Ulrey a global perspective on health issues. She has a Master’s in Public Policy from Georgetown University.

Stephenson has worked in public libraries for over 20 years. From leading a one-room library in Vermont to throwing a film festival for teens in Nashville, she particularly loves connecting with community members and partners. She is currently the President of the Montana Library Association. Her hobbies are living in the Rockies (and all that entails) and sewing. Stephenson lives in Bozeman, MT with her husband and son.

The Bozeman Public Library’s series, SymBozium, won the 2019 national Baker & Taylor award from United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association. This award is given to innovative community programs spearheaded and/or funded by library foundations.