"Transformational leader," "a champion for accessibility," "not just acting with empathy, but having empathy," "she's the manager I want to be," and "committed to thoughtful and constructive activism" are just a few of the glowing ways colleagues and professional friends use to describe Ana Cuprill Comas.
The Silverdale Branch Manager was recently honored with the YWCA Woman of Achievement Education Award for the many opportunities she creates for people to learn, connect, and feel welcome at Kitsap Regional Library and in Kitsap County. (Watch this short YWCA video showcasing Ana's unique approach to her work.)
"My two values are inclusion and opportunity. That's what really drives me," Ana explains. "I've been really lucky to live my values."
"I'm routinely inspired by her," said Glenna Matteson, the branch manager of the Bremerton - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. location.
Silverdale staff members, community leaders, and Library leadership highlighted Ana's work developing new cooperative relationships between community partners and the Library, relationships that have led to an incredible series of achievements, including coordinating annual Humanities Washington and Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center family literacy programs, the development of a Silverdale Makerspace, and furthering Library support for Kitsap Pride and National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Ana's reputation as a thoughtful leader and trusted mentor means Silverdale branch staff positions are highly sought after, and her direct reports speak openly about their enthusiasm and trust in Ana as their manager. "And it goes beyond her own team," Glenna said. "She's always looking for ways to say 'Yes' within the Library's mission and vision."
The YWCA award also highlighted Ana's work with Leadership Kitsap in expanding access to naloxone and overdose-response education throughout Kitsap County.
"We're grateful for all [Ana] brings to our community and our Library," wrote Jeannie Allen, Director of Strategy and Communications for the Library's Leadership Team. "You bring our mission to life every day."
Ana says that her success at work is rooted in listening carefully to patrons and her staff and actively responding to what she hears, even if it's just little things, as "all those little things add up and mean a lot to a lot of people."
"We talk a lot about the magic in libraries, and it does feel like magic, but there is a lot of work to it...and I like that work," says Ana. "I like being able to provide that magic to people."
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