She has been an advocate and activist for improved health care for underserved populations in Seattle since the 1970s. Hurley was the founding director of the Pike Market Medical Clinic, a community health center serving downtown Seattle, and a cofounder of the Pike Place Market Foundation. She previously served as the administrator for Group Health Eastside Hospital. She was also the founding director of Bailey-Boushay House, a specialized care facility for people living with AIDS, and later served as CEO of Goosefoot Community Foundation, a community and economic development organization on Whidbey Island. Since 2010, Hurley has worked as a consultant to public and private health and human services organizations. She has an MHA from the University of Washington.