Koa Beck (she/her) is mixed Pasifika Indigenous. Her maternal ancestors and family come from
Taputimu on Tutuila Island in American Sāmoa, but she grew up in Western Washington on
Coast Salish lands. Koa received her bachelor’s degree in social work at PLU in the spring of
2023 with minors in Criminal Justice, Peace Corps Prep, and Sociology. She returned to school
and graduated with her Clinical Master of Social Work degree from the University of
Washington in the spring of 2024. She did her MSW internship with Hummingbird Indigenous
Family services and was hired on as the Data Sovereignty Specialist upon graduating.
Koa has always felt guided by her ancestors, with a responsibility to uplift and serve her
communities in the work she does. Storytelling and reclamation work has been at the core of her
journey; honoring the essence, paths, and lands of her people. She feels passionate in providing
support to others on their own journeys, regardless of the nature of that process. Koa’s work
experience has ranged from working with gender-based violence, forensic social work,
healing/decolonization movements, child development, Indigenous led research, and Indigenous
empowerment. She believes that culture is at the center of who we are and is a strength of all
people.
Outside of work Koa is an avid reader and spends lots of time in bookstores. She loves to cook,
travel, garden, go to concerts, and try new foods too. Time spent with loved ones is her favorite
pastime above all.
