Annie Frisbie is a first-generation professional who has spent more than 15 years serving young people, families, and communities. Throughout her career, she has brought people together around a shared belief: every person deserves the opportunity, support, and dignity to thrive. 

Annie currently serves as Chief Development Officer at United Way of Pierce County, where she leads fundraising, community engagement, and strategies that connect generosity to meaningful local impact. Known for building trust, developing people, and leading with both clarity and heart, she helps turn relationships into action, and action into lasting change. At the center of her leadership is a deep commitment to listening to communities, honoring their strengths, and creating a future in which every family has what they need not only to survive, but to flourish. 

Balvina Cortez is a bilingual family advocate, community leader, and healthcare professional dedicated to advancing equity for Latino families and people with disabilities across Washington State. A graduate of the University of Washington LEND Family Leadership Program and a Seattle Disability Commissioner, she brings both lived experience and systems-level leadership to her work. As the parent of a neurodivergent child, Balvina transformed her family's journey through special education into a mission to improve access, inclusion, and outcomes for all families, regardless of language, culture, or their ability to navigate complex systems.

Drawing on her background in healthcare, technology, and public service, Balvina works to build partnerships between families, educators, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations. She is leading the development of a statewide Latino coalition focused on neurodiversity, disability, and educational equity while advocating for culturally responsive family engagement and stronger collaboration across systems. Through her leadership, Balvina is committed to ensuring that every child and family has the opportunity to thrive and that lived experience is recognized as an essential voice in shaping public policy.

Dr. Brittany Ota-Malloy was born and raised in Pasadena, California in a large close-knit family. She left home for college as a Posse Scholar, has lived in Madison, WI, Chicago, IL, and made Seattle her long-time home in 2019. She is rooted by the belief that education is a primary key in unlocking potential and spent over a decade building a career in higher education serving students in their postsecondary pathways, leading in policy & program development, and functioning as a conduit and connector to all.  

Dr. Ota-Malloy holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her doctoral research explored Black student activism in predominantly white institutions, showcasing a core belief she holds, that collective action is an impactful way to make change. She currently serves as a postsecondary advisor for Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning where she has the privilege of supporting hallmark investments, such as the Seattle Promise program. She is a mother to a sweet boy, nail artist, craft lover, and avid concert goer. 

Devin Noel-Endres is a lifelong Washingtonian being born and raised in Tacoma. As a Black man, a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and a second-generation Trinidadian-American, he dedicates his work to uplift those who are a part of his community and share his lived experience.

Devin is a passionate policy researcher committed to improving the health, well-being, and development of people across different communities. His work has focused on the areas of homelessness and housing, juvenile justice, education, and trauma. As the Director of Measurement, Learning, & Evaluation at Building Changes, he leads research, evaluation, and data analysis projects with a focus on preventing homelessness for youth and families. Additionally, he has an MS in Research Psychology and also serves as the Co-Founder and Director of Research & Innovation at Noel-Endres Public Affairs.

When he’s not working, he enjoys traveling, being active, and spending time with his husband Logan, his cat Pockets, and his family and friends. He’s excited to start his journey with Sage Leaders to grow his community and continue developing his leadership skills to help create better systems that help everyone succeed and thrive.

Grant Jones was born in Kirkland, Washington and has lived here his whole life. He currently attends University of Washington Seattle where he is pursuing an Environmental Studies degree and Political Science degree. His academic interests involve climate change, food systems, sustainability, government and public policy.

He has prior experience working for the King County Metro Equity board and the youth bill of rights task force. Additionally, he has volunteered as a soil and water steward with Tilth Alliance and with Mid-Sound Fisheries Community Action Training School. His most recent work is a summer vista term with AmeriCorps working with Hopelink. In this program he helps with the gleaning program which brings fresh produce to people experiencing food insecurity.

With his current studies and past job experiences Grant hopes to make an impact in policy and government. Grant is passionate about environmental issues, sustainability and expanding resources to people in need.

Jorge Castro is a Seattle-based, bilingual (Spanish–English) program leader whose decade of work sits at the intersection of climate, education, and economic equity. For the past several years, he has built and scaled global education programs at Code.org, expanding access to computer science learning for millions of students across 22 languages. Closer to home, he facilitates bilingual community energy-education workshops that help immigrant families understand their utility bills, access discount programs, and make their homes more affordable and efficient. Earlier in his career, he coordinated multi-state clean energy advocacy with the Union of Concerned Scientists, contributing to the passage of California's landmark SB 100 clean energy law.

Jorge is drawn to the Community Leadership Institute's belief that the communities most affected by a decision should have real power in making it. He currently serves as a volunteer community manager for Seattle's People's Academy for Community Engagement (PACE) alumni network, supporting a community of civic leaders, and he brings a project manager's discipline, a scientist's curiosity, and a deep commitment to community to every table he joins. Through CLI, he hopes to sharpen his understanding of local government and equitable development, build lasting relationships across the Puget Sound's movement ecosystem, and help ensure that Latino, immigrant, and working-class voices are centered in the decisions that shape their neighborhoods.

Lavell Flamon was born and raised in Chicago, Il, and has lived in Washington, DC., New York, NY., East Orange, NJ., and Denver, CO. before moving to Seattle, WA in 2022. He received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Howard University and his MBA from Metropolitan State University in Denver. His career journey has led him through architecture, retail logistics and distribution, the non-profit sector building community gardens, and construction, where he worked as a union electrician and is currently a standardization program manager.

Having spent his life steeped in the urban environment, he has become sensitive to the needs and concerns of those who find themselves marginalized under the stresses of a complex world and desires to put forth the intention and energy to make a difference wherever he can. This has led him to act as a math tutor for middle school students, volunteering as a financial literacy mentor for teens, and giving his time to various food banks in Denver and Seattle. In his professional world, he has served as a member of the Executive Board at IBEW Local 68, is the current chairperson for the BIPOC affinity group at McKinstry, and is a steering committee member for the MCAWW Speech Network, all to bring equity, inclusion, and new ideas to create a brighter now and a hopeful tomorrow.

Lizbeth Ramirez Cabanas (she/her) is a proud first-generation college student from South Tacoma, Washington, and a senior at the University of Washington majoring in Social Welfare and Law, Societies, and Justice. Passionate about advancing racial and social justice, she is actively involved in organizations that expand civic engagement and advocate for historically marginalized communities. Through Huskies for Opportunities in Prison Education (H.O.P.E.), Lizbeth helps teach system-impacted individuals, community members, and college students how the Washington State Legislature works through civic engagement workshops. She also serves as an outreach member for Immigrant Rights and Human Rights, raising awareness about immigration issues and advocating for the closure of the Northwest Detention Center.

Recognizing the barriers many Latino families face in accessing legal services, Lizbeth volunteers at El Centro de la Raza's legal clinic, where she provides Spanish-to-English interpretation to help clients communicate effectively with attorneys. She is also an incoming intern with Manos Unidas International, where she will support Latino families raising young children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through her advocacy, Lizbeth is committed to breaking down systemic barriers and expanding equitable access to legal, educational, and community resources.

Outside of her advocacy work, Lizbeth enjoys modeling, where she increases Latino representation in the fashion industry and expresses her creativity through painting, drawing, sculpting, and makeup artistry.

Modester "Mo" Chatta (she/her) is a bridge-builder, community advocate, and public health leader whose work centers on ensuring immigrant, refugee, and historically underserved communities are not only represented, but empowered to shape the systems that affect their lives. Originally from Zambia and now based in Washington State, Mo has spent more than two decades transforming lived experience into leadership, connecting communities with resources, influencing public policy, and advancing health equity. She is a proud graduate of United Way of King County's Project LEAD Class of 2019, where she further developed her passion for civic leadership and community impact.

Mo serves as Program Director for the Connect to Care Community Hub at the Association of Zambians in Seattle (AZISWA), leading culturally responsive case management services that help individuals and families navigate healthcare, housing, behavioral health, employment, and other essential resources. She also serves as Board Chair of the Washington State Coalition of African Community Leaders (WSCACL), Vice President of AZISWA, Co-Chair of the Connect to Care Advisory Board, and a member of the Washington State Department of Health Environmental Justice Workgroup. Throughout her work, she believes communities thrive when solutions are created with the people they are intended to serve.

As a Community Leadership Institute Fellow, Mo is excited to strengthen her leadership alongside other changemakers committed to racial and social justice. She hopes to deepen her understanding of policy, build lasting cross-sector partnerships, and continue creating pathways for communities to influence decisions that affect their lives. For Mo, leadership is about opening doors, building collective power, and ensuring every community has the opportunity not only to be heard, but to lead.

Queen Adams is a Commissioner with the Seattle Human Rights Commission. Her ardent desire is to alleviate suffering in the world. She is a staunch proponent of human dignity for all.  She believes that people deserve to be treated with respect and that strong communities are built when every individual has the opportunity to live safely, be heard, and reach their full potential. 

As a commissioner, Queen wants to amplify marginalized voices, and help build communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Throughout her work and service, she has served as a short-term missionary in Central and South America, helped get medical equipment to Africa for improved maternal outcomes, sent medical supplies to a war-torn country, taught ESL to migrant communities and unaccompanied migrant children and traveled to Palestine to learn about peacemaking endeavors. 

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Spanish, a Master’s Degree in Christian Studies and a Paralegal Certificate in Immigration Law. She is excited about this unique opportunity that Puget Sound Sage’s Community Leadership Institute has given her. 

Rizza Diaz is a first-generation Filipina American and undergraduate student at Central Washington University studying Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on the Social and Family sciences, while minoring in Law and Justice. She currently works as a Student Reengagement Specialist at a high school, supporting students who face barriers to attendance, academic success, and personal well-being. Her passion for youth advocacy began when she attended Waskowitz Environmental Leadership High School, where she experienced firsthand how mentorship, experiential learning, and connection to the outdoors can help young people build confidence, recognize their strengths, and realize their own potential. She later served with AmeriCorps, another experience that helped her gain clarity that working with young people was not only something she enjoyed, but something she wanted to build her career around. Rizza is drawn to work that centers the experiences and voices of young people, particularly those who have been overlooked or underserved by existing systems.

Rizza is excited to join the Community Leadership Institute to learn alongside others who are committed to creating change in their communities. She hopes to gain new perspectives that will challenge and expand the way she thinks about leadership and the systems that shape people’s lives. She is excited to bring what she learns through CLI into her future work in education and continue advocating for individuals to feel: seen, heard, and empowered to shape their own futures.

Outside of school and work, Rizza enjoys thrifting and giving pre-loved items a second chance. You can also find her planning her next outdoor adventure with her dog, partner, family, and loved ones. She enjoys photography, hiking, camping, paddle boarding, and snowboarding, and loves the outdoors for the way it brings people together, creates room for reflection, and offers a chance to slow down and appreciate the present moment.

Shoko Kumagai is a public health practitioner advancing social justice through food systems. Growing up in Japan, she learned early that food is medicine and experienced firsthand how food shapes health, culture, identity, and community. Tending a school garden, eating what her class grew, and later managing her own health through nutrition deepened her respect for food as nourishment, connection, and care. These experiences continue to shape both her personal life and her professional calling.

Through her career in public health and social services, Shoko has witnessed how access to food reflects broader issues of equity, health, and opportunity. Her lived and professional experiences fuel her commitment to food justice through collaborative leadership, community engagement, and systems change. She believes participatory governance is essential to lasting change and strives to bridge government and community by listening deeply, building authentic partnerships, and translating community knowledge into practical improvements in public policy and services. She believes people—especially those most affected by inequities—should be meaningful partners in shaping the decisions that affect their lives.

Shoko’s focus has been on expanding access to nourishing, culturally affirming food and building equitable, resilient local food systems that support the well-being of people, communities, and the natural environment. She advocates for the right to food and volunteers at Elk Run Farm, where she helps grow vegetables for member food banks and pantries of the South King County Food Coalition.

A longtime resident of the Puget Sound region, she connects with her Japanese heritage through cooking and sharing food with family and friends. She is a proud mother, raising her multiracial preteen with her husband, and finds joy in tending gardens and experiencing the beauty of the natural world.

Stephen Dada is a legal and public policy professional with over a decade of experience advancing good governance, institutional reform, and sustainable development. Before moving to Seattle, he worked across Nigeria and the broader ECOWAS region, including with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), where he collaborated with government institutions, private-sector organizations, and community stakeholders to strengthen public policy, institutional capacity, and economic development. In the United States, his experience includes work with Landesa on land and resource rights and environmental justice, as well as with Koné Consulting, where he currently supports community-centered initiatives focused on expanding economic opportunity and addressing social inequities.

Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Theashionna Owens is a communications professional, community leader, and certified life coach committed to making information more accessible and empowering people to take meaningful action in their lives. She earned a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations from North Carolina Central University, a historically Black college and university in Durham, North Carolina. After relocating to Seattle, Washington, in 2023, Theashionna has dedicated her work to strengthening communities through strategic communications, civic engagement, and public service. She works in the nonprofit sector, where she helps translate complex topics into clear, relatable information that communities can understand and use, particularly around issues that shape opportunity, equity, and quality of life. Her growing interests in economic development, housing, and community wealth-building continue to shape her work and advocacy.

Beyond her professional role, Theashionna believes that transformation begins when people feel seen, heard, and equipped with the right information. She serves as a Seattle Women's Commissioner, volunteered on the Communications and Marketing Committee for Pongo Youth Poetry, and is an active member of the Seattle chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). Through her digital platform, Open Door Policy, she curates intentional experiences that create space for women to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with themselves through community, conversation, and accountability. Whether she is developing communications strategies, facilitating wellness experiences, or serving in civic leadership, Theashionna is passionate about building stronger communities by making systems more understandable, leadership more accessible, and opportunities more attainable for everyone.

Timothy Obadiah Magnus is an Environmental and Occupational Health professional with experience spanning environmental health, occupational safety, food safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental sustainability across Ghana and the United States. He is dedicated to advancing public health through scientific research, evidence-based policy, and sustainable environmental practices that protect communities, strengthen food systems, and promote healthier workplaces.

Throughout his career, Timothy has worked with organizations including University of Washington, Smith Brothers Farms, The Krusteaz Company, GB Foods Africa, and the Ghana Standards Authority. He currently serves as Quality Assurance Lead at Ivar's Soup Company, where he oversees food safety and quality systems, manages the supplier approval program, ensures regulatory compliance, and leads continuous improvement initiatives that support product integrity, consumer safety, and sustainable manufacturing practices. Earlier, as a Scientific Laboratory Officer with the Ghana Standards Authority, he conducted trace metal analysis that contributed to international food safety standards (Codex Alimentarius) and the WHO Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS/Food database).

Timothy holds a Master of Science in Environmental & Occupational Health from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Laboratory Technology from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Timothy is passionate about mitigating environmental hazards and advancing sustainable solutions that build climate-resilient communities where people have access to safe food, clean water, clean air, and a healthy, sustainable environment. Through research, education, regulatory compliance, and collaborative leadership, he is committed to developing practical, evidence-based strategies that protect both human health and the environment for present and future generations. Through his research and professional practice, he seeks to develop science-based solutions to influence policy makers in decision making to reduce environmental risks, improve public health outcomes, and support resilient communities.

Driven by a commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development, Timothy continues to advocate for responsible environmental management, safer workplaces, and resilient food systems through research, education, regulatory compliance, and collaborative leadership.