Sixteen elected leaders across Washington emerge stronger together
In early June, Sage Leaders celebrated the graduation of the 2026 Local Elected Leadership Institute (LELI) cohort at El Sirenito in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood. The Friday evening celebration marked our second year in partnership with Local Progress and the Collaborative Governance Lab.
Sixteen local elected leaders trained side by side for six months, where they strengthened their ability to advance local priorities, navigate tough political terrain, and govern in real partnership with their communities. Along the way, they built connections with fellow officials who understand the work and face the same challenges.
Graduating Councilmembers Mark Figueroa of Pasco and Griselda Arias of Yelm spoke at the celebration, sharing what it meant to learn in a space built to support elected leaders of color. Cohort members came from every corner of the state, from Aberdeen to Vancouver to the Tri-Cities. Each graduate returns home stronger, backed by a growing statewide network of progressive leaders.
2026 Local Elected Leadership Institute & WA Collaborative Governance Lab participants:
Kevin Moynihan, Councilmember, City of Aberdeen
Latasha Palmer, Councilmember At-Large, City of Tacoma
Kim Harless, Councilmember, City of Vancouver
Sandesh Sadalge, Councilmember, City of Tacoma
Damarys Espinoza, Board Director, Highline Public Schools
Sarah Moore, Councilmember, City of Burien
Rocco DeVito, Councilmember, City of Burien
Griselda Arias, Councilmember, City of Yelm
Almaderica Escamilla, Council Vice President, City of Lynnwood
Mark Figueroa, Councilmember, City of Pasco
Navarra Carr, Deputy Mayor, City of Port Angeles
Patrick Adigweme, Commissioner, Clark County Charter Review Commission
Eddie Lin, Councilmember, City of Seattle
Alisa Lee, Commissioner, Parks Tacoma
Nadine Stecklein, Councilmember, City of College Place
Amber Wise, Councilmember, City of Woodinville