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A Coast Salish canoe approaches Pier 62 from the west.

Canoe Landing at Salmon Homecoming 2022. Photo by Erik Holsather.

Community Partnership Committees

Join a Committee

The application period is now CLOSED. Thank you to everyone who applied to become a member of our Community Partnership Committees!

Learn more about what the committee experience is like by checking out these interviews featuring some of our outgoing 2023 committee members. We hope you’ll consider applying next year!

Watch Our CPC Interviews

About the Committees

In 2022, Friends developed two Community Partnership Committees, the Pulling Together Committee (PTC), consisting of Indigenous community organizers and leaders, and the Community Connections Committee (C3), consisting of BIPOC community organizers and leaders. These citizen advisory committees provide recommendations and feedback in support of Friends’ inclusion and racial equity impact.

As we anticipate the completion and opening of Waterfront Park in 2025, there is a critical need for strategic visioning and planning to ensure that all communities, particularly those that have been historically excluded – youth, seniors, people with disabilities, and BIPOC – have access to enjoyable cultural and recreational opportunities and the economic benefits of Waterfront Park.

Canoe Landing at Salmon Homecoming 2022. Photo by Raven's Tale Studio.

Canoe Landing at Salmon Homecoming 2022. Photo by Raven's Tale Studio.

Pulling Together Committee (PTC)

The Pulling Together Committee convenes members of our local Tribal leaders, community members, and Urban Natives from the greater Puget Sound region to support the goals and objectives of Friends of Waterfront Seattle through the inclusion of Indigenous voices, values, and interests by assessing Friends’ community engagement and partnerships efforts, public programs, events, and activities at Seattle’s Waterfront.

PTC has centered their recommendations, feedback, and evaluations specifically to Friends’ focus on Indigenous communities and Indigenous representation in public programs, community engagement, partnerships, and other community-centric aspects of Friends’ work. PTC is currently facilitated by Jordan Remington, Friends’ Public Programs Manager & Curator of Indigenous Programs. The Pulling Together Committee will also be expanding its Indigeneity membership to include Indigenous community members of the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Africatown's Soul on the Waterfront event in 2022. Photo by OutsideThinc.

Africatown's Soul on the Waterfront event in 2022. Photo by OutsideThinc.

Community Connections Committee (C3)

The Community Connections Committee convenes individuals from various communities throughout Seattle and the Puget Sound region, who are exclusively from marginalized groups and/or identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color. C3 is also joined by two additional members of the Friends’ board to oversee and advance Friends’ inclusion and social equity efforts on the Board of Directors level.

C3’s feedback has centered on assessing whether the community engagement, partnership building, public programming, and other decisions made by Friends are meeting and exceeding cultural, civic engagement, educational, recreational, vending, and other pertinent needs and values identified by communities traditionally left out of engagement efforts and public programming initiatives, particularly in parks.

Attendees at a Waterfront Block Party 2023 event hosted at the Olympic Sculpture Park. Photo by Jo Cosme.

Attendees at a Waterfront Block Party 2023 event hosted at the Olympic Sculpture Park. Photo by Jo Cosme.

Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC)

Friends is planning the launch of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, which will bring together leaders and representatives of disability communities in Seattle and Puget Sound. This committee will convene people who identify as persons with disabilities, have a user’s perspective; have personal or professional experience with disability and advocacy; can speak broadly on disability issues opposed to only addressing personal needs; or who are knowledgeable about a variety of physical, communication, and program access issues (hearing, vision, mobility, speech, cognitive limitations, etc.).

This committee will provide feedback on improving Friends’ understanding and responsiveness to a diverse audience of people with disabilities. It is our intention for the Accessibility Committee members to support the facilitation of two-way communication with disability communities, advise about the development of creative solutions that will eradicate barriers, and produce recommendations that serve the mutual interest of the communities, businesses, and organizations impacted by Waterfront Park.

Membership Benefits and Incentives

Members are compensated $75 for every hour-long meeting, including the end of year interview, and $100 for every 90–120-minute meeting.

Friends will provide travel or parking reimbursements, food and beverages, and other accommodation and access needs as requested. Our office building is wheelchair accessible and has an elevator on-site.

There is street parking and several garages/lot parking at:

Members will have the opportunity to network with all committee members and share initiatives, events, and other news during meetings

Members will have direct communication with various department members at Friends to provide their recommendations for ongoing projects

I wanted to be a part of this committee because I respect and appreciate what they are trying to do for the community. I will always be a supporter of inclusivity, access for all, and awareness. Everyone should feel welcome in their community and I believe the C3 meetings help us understand how that can be done with diligence and effectiveness. Velma Chaney C3 Member
The Pulling Together committee is in Partnership with Friends of the Waterfront and Potlatch Fund and is conducting important work with thoughtfulness and excellence! Keep up the fabulous community engagement! Gunalcheesh! Ellany Kayce PTC Member
It is such an honor to share space and ideas with a crew of brilliant, passionate, and dope folks. I love learning from my fellow committee members in an environment that celebrates who we are as individuals and representatives of our respective organizations and communities. 10/10! Taelore Rhoden C3 Member
I was asked to join by a respected person in my tribe and community. This is the only committee I've been asked to join outside of my tribe and I enjoyed my time on it. I loved meeting new people and hearing of the things they are doing. Crystal Purcell PTC Member
I joined Community Connections Committee because of what this committee stands for—equity, care, and cultural & historic preservation. With Friends & C3, their values are always aligned with action. I love yall! Tracey Wong C3 Member

2024 PTC Members

Karama Blackhorn (Kahosadi)

Culture Diversity & Equity Senior Manager, Seattle Aquarium

Felicia Bryan (Chinook)

Singer, Dancer, Artist

I am a Native American contemporary artist, who is neurodivergent, disabled, and gender fluid.

Carolyn Hartness (Eastern Band Cherokee/Norwegian)

Contractor and Trainer, Seventh Generation

Carolyn Hartness, Eastern Band Cherokee/Norwegian, is a consultant committed to a life of service assisting individuals, families, communities and organizations and Tribes to create holistic, collaborative, evidence and spiritually based wellness for themselves, and future generations.  For over 33 years, Carolyn has served Indigenous and non-indigenous communities, in the United States, Canada, Norway, Australia and New Zealand, offering consultation to agencies, schools, families and individuals around cultural diversity and wellness, and prevention/intervention strategies relating to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (F.A.S.D.), wellness and recovery. She conducts training-of-trainer classes, workshops, lectures, and college courses on diversity, equity, historical trauma, wellness, recovery and F.A.S.D.  Carolyn works on projects with counties and Tribes, designs programs, curricula, intervention strategies and assessment tools. Carolyn has and currently facilitates many gatherings and circles, including Talking/Listening Circles and Restorative Justice Circles, to bring healing to individuals, including veterans, incarcerated individuals, families, Tribal people, communities and providers through honest, open and transformative sharing.  She presents regularly in the DSHS Cultural Humility training curriculum.  Participants include DSHS, DDA, and DOC staff, as well as many other providers. She conducts “Spirit and Drum Circles” for patients at Olalla Treatment Center. Carolyn is currently working with the Department of Commerce’s Washington Statewide Reentry Council, visiting prisons and conducting talking/listening circles.  She worked with the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe’s Welcome Home Reentry Program as an F.A.S.D. Consultant from 2006-2023. She provided case management planning for clients, attended tribal and county court, conducted trainings, created curricula and consulted with staff and service providers on issues relating to clients with a possible F.A.S.D. to create appropriate intervention strategies. She facilitated the county Reentry Task Force, Restorative Justice Circles and consulted with the Welcome Home, Breaking The Cycle Program in Kitsap County Jail and Kitsap County. She is featured in “Journeys on the Red Road” recovery video (2021). Carolyn co-created and co-authored an award-winning series of videos, DVDs and books on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, “Journey Through the Healing Circle”, with Dr. Robin LaDue, which was nominated for an Emmy, has won many awards and is printed in several languages.  The series has been used to help educate teachers, families and children and providers about the reality of having an F.A.S.D.

Wesley Edminister (Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe)

Security Officer, Seattle Emergency Services Unit

I am a native-born Washingtonian who loves our great PNW. I have moved in and out of state since childhood, but Seattle has always been where my heart is. Indigenously speaking, I am descended from three Coast Salish tribes, and Cherokee. A protector by nature, I also love soccer, martial arts, multiculturalism, and connecting with good hearts and good laughs. I aim to make a beautiful difference in this world and enjoy connecting with like minds in this endeavor.

Deborah Guerrero MSW (Tlingit, Filipino, Cowlitz, Snoqualmie, French Canadian First Nations, Irish, German)

Secretary, Washington Indian Civil Rights Commission Board

Other Affiliations:

  • Native Women Veteran’s Healing member
  • Murdered Missing Indigenous Women/People activist
  • Kettering Foundation Public Scholar

As an enrolled Tlingit Tribal citizen through Juneau Alaska, her heritage is also Filipino on her paternal side. On her maternal side she is a descendant of Cowlitz Tribal Chief Ellias Quantanna, and a descendant of Snoqualmie Tribal Chief Patkanim, as well as French Canadian First Nations, Irish and German. Her Tlingit name is GunSeek-which means Last of the Royal Princesses. She is the mother of three, and a grandmother of 2 beautiful granddaughters.  After twenty-three years as an Indian Child Welfare Social Worker she recently retired.  She has served on many Community Boards to advance her people including her role as Secretary of the Board for the Washington Indian Civil Rights Commission which she began in 2008.  In October she began developing a program to advocate for Human Trafficking Survivors and has also been involved in MMIW/P activism since 2018.  She has experience with MMIWP in her own family and it helps her healing to do this work.  She serves her community by traditional ceremonial ways that she learned in over twenty-seven years participation with local Indigenous leaders. She has been involved with a local Native organization Unkitawa, to serve at the Department of Corrections–Washington Women’s Correctional Center in Purdy where she pours and teaches sweat lodge ceremonial ways.  She has participated in Sundance and Native American Church Peyote ceremonies learning Native American Church prayer songs and offers to teach drumming and singing to willing participants. She comes from a large family of Veterans, and has traveled, with and participated in many healing gatherings with Veteran Women, to help process and seek ways to process their diagnosed PTSD, and Military Sexual Trauma. Since 2006, she has been a Drum Keeper for Kiya’s Heartbeat (Grandmother’s Heartbeat) Drum.  She travels throughout the US to pray with the drum and serve people of all ages.  She is willing to share her teachings to anyone willing to listen and respect Indigenous Traditional Ways. Oh, and she is a total HAWKAHOLIC…and proud of it.

Karen Johnson (Squamish, Indopino)

Member

Born and raised on Bainbridge Island. Moved to Seattle in 1979, worked at the Seattle Public Schools Work Training Program, UW School of Social Work Admissions Office for over 30 years and now a retired Indipino enjoying life and traveling.

Ellany Kayce (Tlingit)

Consultant/ Facilitator/ DEI Trainer

Ellany Kayce is an enrolled tribal member of the Tlingit Nation, Raven Clan. Throughout her career she’s worked as a racial, environmental Indigenous and social justice educator and program developer, cultural consultant, event planner, coordinator, facilitator, trainer, curriculum developer, contract manager, and fundraiser.  Ellany is Native American/Alaska Native SME and has life-long experience working with Alaska Native, Native American, First Nations communities, and is a trainer, traditional drummer, singer, and dancer, and activist.  She has over 10,000 hours of facilitation experience

Jessica Juarez-Wagner

Program Manager, Potlach Fund

Life-long Seattlite who grew up on the downtown Seattle Waterfront. Avid about being outside, being in community, and dancing.

Megan McDermott (Little Shell Chippewa, Blackfeet, Cree)

Member

Megan is an enrolled member of the Little Shell Chippewa tribe of Montana, with also having heritage with Blackfeet and Cree, all from her mother’s side. She is a visual artist and current student of the KOH Atelier program at the Gage Academy of Art. She regularly vends at various markets in the Seattle area while also entering shows across the country. She is also currently full time with SNHU pursuing Game Art and Development.

Jordan Remington (Quileute)

Public Programs Manager and Curator of Indigenous Programs, Friends of Waterfront Seattle

Tiarraray Square (St. Regis Mohawk Tribe)

Program Coordinator, Duwamish Tribal Services

Tiarraray is a part of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and has been living on the traditional lands of the Duwamish people, for the last 3 years. She is currently working for the Duwamish Tribal Services as the Program Coordinator.

Edna Wyena (Yakima & Muckleshoot)

Executive Director, Unkitawa

Edna Wyena is an accomplished, results-driven executive director. She is passionate about serving Indigenous communities through higher education, mentorship, training, cultural preservation, traditions, and the arts. With a solid foundation in public administration, education, and community development, she creates success through effective leadership and strategic planning. She has over a decade of experience providing comprehensive support to senior-level executives. Areas of Focus: Spearheading initiatives to preserve and restore Indigenous knowledge through culturally rich ceremonies, arts, and cultural programs Leading a team in developing and implementing programs that support the community’s educational and cultural needs Tribal community engagement, events, and grant management Education Harvard Business School, Boston, MA Certificate in Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities (May 2022) Program Topics: Investment Governance, Entrepreneurial Finance, Negotiations, and Change Management Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, University of Washington, Seattle, WA Master of Public Administration (MPA), Public Policy Analysis

Mercedes Luna (Tlingit/Japanese/Filipino)

Director of Individual Giving, Wing Luke Museum

Mercedes Luna (she/her) is the Director of Individual Giving at the Wing Luke Museum. Mercedes joined the Wing in 2021. In her role she works alongside Executive leadership to strategize, develop and grow the museum’s donor program. She oversees the implementation of the museum’s overall donor and community-centered fundraising strategy, major gifts and stewardship, portfolio management and fundraising events.

Mercedes received her BA in American Ethnic Studies and Certificate in Fundraising Management from the University of Washington.

A fourth generation Seattlite, Japanese and Filipino American and enrolled member of the Tlingit tribe, Mercedes is proud to continue to support her local communities and cultural preservation efforts. Outside of work you can usually find her cheering on the Seahawks and Huskies, in any of Seattle’s independent bookstores pursuing a new book or on the hunt for the best matcha latte.

2024 C3 Members

Rosendo Ayala

Spring Break Battle, Disconnection

Rosendo Ayala is an event curator known amongst the West Coast. Widely known for always bringing something different; people now come from far and wide to see what new concept is next. While in Southern California he founded and ran a popular event known as Genki Nights, Genki Night’s goal was to serve as the bridge between the Los Angeles and San Diego street dance communities. Teachers and DJs were brought in from across the globe to educate and share with the community. Later on he joined the board for LA Hustle Movement and helped multiply their numbers through his creative perspective and determination to grow a community. Upon moving to Seattle he co-founded a new collective called Hustle & Soul, this was aimed to do what Genki Nights was doing and what LA Hustle Movement was building all in one. He also founded a new event called Spring Break Battle who’s first edition brought in dancers from across the globe. Rosendo now serves as a mentor and advisor to many first time event curators and hopes to inspire a new generation of dancers who will continue to think outside the box

Tareq Fayyad

Principal Environmental Educator & Mentor, Trillium Sustainability

After a decade+ as a telecommunication engineer, Tareq stepped outdoors and dipped into multiple environmental justice disciplines to find their calling as an earth guardian, docent, and culture changer. They started Trillium Sustainability here in Seattle to support communities in the overlapping need to address the climate crisis, reclaim their role as land stewards, and find wholeness through coming back to nature. A Palestinian refugee from a resilient lineage, Tareq lived in many cities before arriving on Duwamish land and growing to be a proud Rainier Beach resident. They satiate their longing for ancestral land by stewarding urban forests with neighbors and supporting access to sustainable yummy food at the Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetland. With their passion for inclusion and playful art, they aspire to be a dot connector on the C3 to create welcoming, lush spaces for wildlife and BIPOC children, youth, and elders.”

Priya Frank

Director of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, Seattle Art Museum

Olive Goh

Board Member, Friends of Waterfront Seattle

Ashraf Hasham

Partnerships, Education, and Grants Manager, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture

Ashraf oversees the City of Seattle’s investments in artists, cultural organizations, arts education, and the creative economy in his role as Partnerships, Education, and Grants manager at the Office of Arts & Culture. He comes to this role from The Vera Project, a nationally-renowned, youth-led, all-ages music venue and DIY arts space, where he served as its Executive Director. Prior to that, he worked at Chicago’s largest arts education provider, Urban Gateways, and Seattle’s TeenTix, a revolutionary arts access and youth empowerment organization, in which he was a youth participant back in the day.

Ashraf co-hosts “Why Change? A Podcast for the Creative Generation,” interviewing practitioners, teaching artists, and organizational leaders dedicated to bettering themselves and the youth they work with. Ashraf serves on Americans for the Arts (AFTA)’s Arts Education Advisory Council, Friends of Waterfront Seattle’s Community Connections Committee, and on the board of Washington Ensemble Theatre. He previously served on the Seattle Arts Commission, and is a 2020 graduate of Leadership Tomorrow.

Ashraf can be seen in the wild on various dance floors as well as at arts events, thrift stores, and live music venues around town. Ashraf also speaks Urdu.

Margo Jones

Business Owner & Creative Visionary, APPOV, LLC

Business owner, community leader and life long Seattle Resident, Margo is committed to keeping the legacy of Seattle and its Communities legacy alive and well by contributing to the greatness of our beautiful and beloved waterfront.

David Kim

Director of Government and International Affairs, City of Seattle

Victor Loo

Principal Consultant, Victor Loo Consulting

Victor Loo (he/him) places equity and justice front and centered, and is a principal consultant, executive coach, strategist, national leader who addresses health disparities and leads with equity. He is a national leader with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – Health Resources and Services Administration (SAMHSA-HRSA) Center for Integrated Health Solutions’ Addressing Health Disparities Leadership Program, and a national leader with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Healthy Youth Leadership Institute. He represents United States Department of Health & Human Services’ Region 10 – Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington on the National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health Steering Committee, serves on the Washington State Commit to Change Steering Committee, represents Seattle,King County as an Equity Ambassador with Nonprofit Association of Washington, serves on the Homeless Service Providers Study Advisory Committee in partnership with BDS Planning & Urban Design, Washington State Department of Commerce and D-FINE Concepts, and represents community stakeholders to serve with elected officials representing the King County Council, Seattle City Council and Sound Cities Association on the King County Board of Health.

Besides the compassion, passion and vision to serve Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI), immigrants, and refugees, homeless, unhoused and unsheltered individuals; he is also an active community advocate/leader for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Carolina Lope

AV Support Technician, Seattle Aquarium

Other Affiliations: The Vera Project – Live Sound Engineer

When I came to this country/city I only had $100 and a dream to become an audio engineer. I had/have to go through a million hoops and loops to get to where I am today. I want to apply what I’ve learned and help someone out so that they don’t have to go through the same things I did. This is why I am here. Para crear espacios inclusivos para quienes quieran divertirse, no nada mas sobrevivir.

Brittney Nitta-Lee

Communications Specialist, Seattle Housing Authority

Brittney Nitta-Lee was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Master’s degree in Communication at Hawai’i Pacific University. In 2018, Brittney made a spontaneous move to Seattle. After submitting many job applications, she found her place at the Seattle Housing Authority as a Communications Specialist, where she has stayed ever since. She enjoys taking leisurely runs around Seward Park, exploring hole-in-the-wall eateries, and spending time with her partner and two Shih Tzu furbabies, Bandit and Bruno.

Eze Oluo

Member

Just a regular, basic Seattle dude

Sina Sam

Program Equity Speciality for Seattle Housing Authority

Born in a refugee camp on the Thai-Cambodian border, Sina Sam is a proud 1.5 generation Khmer American, refugee, and daughter of Cambodian Genocide survivors. She was raised in Seattle and educated at Seattle Colleges, UW and WSU. Appointed as the first Cambodian woman Commissioner on the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) of Washington State, Sina led CAPAA’s Civil Rights and Immigration Committee work as Chair during her tenure. Passionate about immigrants’ rights and issues disproportionately impacting underserved communities, she is a longstanding community advocate and experienced organizer with organizations such as: Khmer Advocacy & Advancement Group (KhAAG), Formerly Incarcerated Group Healing Together (F.I.G.H.T.), Planned Parenthood, Civil Liberties and Public Policy (CLPP), WA State Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC), Southeast Asian Freedom Network (SEAFN), Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), and Asian Pacific Islander Coalition (APIC).

 

Previously based between eastern WA and Washington DC, Sina is now back in Seattle and excited to reconnect with community! Currently, she also serves as an advisor on programming with the Wing Luke Museum and volunteers with the Pike Place Market Foundation and Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA). Involved in many local events all year around, she encourages residents and visitors alike to get out to enjoy the Seattle Waterfront, too. Sina says, “the waterfront is even more magical than I remember as a kid. Local conservation and revitalization efforts are restorative when Pacific NW history and people, especially historically under-represented communities are not only being celebrated, but leading in shared visioning of our lands and seas. With thoughtful stewardship and partnership, I hope our uniquely beautiful Salish Sea will be around for generations to come to enjoy in views and deep connections, too.”

Taelore Rhoden

Director of Community Engagement, Historic Seattle

Taelore is a connector and dreamer who uses experience creation and storytelling to build, empower, and resource community. A native of south Seattle, she is a proud graduate of Garfield High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Pepperdine University. She’s worn many hats throughout her career in events and communications and has had the privilege of working with and in various communities locally and nationally, including artists and creatives, BIPOC-owned small businesses, startups, nonprofits & community organizations, civics/history/historic preservation groups, and arts organizations. Her driver is service – being a connector, supporter, and doer for dope people, places, and ideas.

Melody Xie

President, Melody Institute

Melody Xie, the founder and director of the Melody Institute, has been teaching Chinese Mandarin language and dance in Washington state for three decades. She is promoting culture and arts in the area. Melody has taught thousands students in the US and choreographed over a hundred dances in both China and the US.Prior to the Institute, Melody co-founded the Chinese language program at Lakeside School where she taught Mandarin. She has also taught Chinese courses at Bellevue College, Cascadia College, and Shoreline College.In 2006, the Ethnic Heritage Council awarded her the Gordon Ekvall Tracie Award for her significant contributions to the development and promotion of traditional arts in the PNW community. She also received awards from FCC (Families with Children from China, NW) and the other organizations for her contribution.  With many years of experience in Chinese dance, Melody began her career as a professional dancer in China. She has since been active as a choreographer, instructor and event coordinator. She choreographed all the dances that her students perform. From 2014, Melody Xie has been invited by Folklife festival as the coordinator for the showcases  at the Bagley Wright Theatre and Cornish Playhouse theatre. She was also invited by Seattle Theatre Group as a VIP artist performing at the 25th Anniversary Dance This Show in Moore Theatre. Melody has spoken at the International Education Washington’s Early Language Learning Symposium and other related events at the University of Washington. Melody holds a Bachelor’s degree in international business management and a Masters in International Business Administration from Xiamen University in China. In addition to teaching, Melody is also a freelance writer in Chinese and is a contributor to Chinese language newspapers and magazines. She was a former university press editor, a journalist in China and a reporter in US. She was the 2nd place winner of a world-wide Chinese writing competition at the end of last century.