The People’s Gathering – Fall 2023

Shana Greenberg Barehand, originally from Los Angeles, is Mono Indian from the Cold Springs Rancheria in California.  Shana has a law degree from Arizona State University and a Bachelor’s in psychology from Cal State Long Beach. Shana entirely supported herself through college and law school. Her previous jobs include working at the Southern California Indian Center, Indian education program counselor, waitressing, and bar tending. As an attorney she has worked at the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an environmental enforcement attorney, the Federal Communications Commission as the senior tribal advisor to the Commissioner, and the Tribal Liaison for the Washington State Department of Revenue. Her expertise in establishing and leading innovative new programs led her to the Department of Enterprise Services where she established the Procurement, Inclusion and Equity Program, which helps lead the state’s effort to procure more goods and services from small, diverse, veteran owned businesses.

In a volunteer capacity, she coaches soccer, serves on the Tumwater School Districts Equity Committee and is the co-founder of the Wa-Ya Outdoor Institute, the State’s only outdoor camp that teaches outdoor adventure, STEM, and intertwines indigenous culture and knowledge. In the past she has served as the Treasurer of the National Native American Bar Association, Chair of the advisory board for the Washington Internships for Native Students (WINS), Washington DC, and is a founding board member and past Treasurer for the Society of American Indian Government Employees.

Shana is married to actor/filmmaker Jeffrey Barehand and has five children. As a family they participate in a diverse array of experiences such as volunteering for important causes, going to Pow Wows, and snowboarding.

Renée Roman Nose, MAIS, is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. She is an activist, artist, actor, poet, painter, photographer, and cultural anthropologist. Her book, Sweet Grass Talking (2017), was published by Uttered Chaos Press and nominated for the Oregon Book of the Year Award for 2017. Her paintings and photography have been most recently featured at the Kallet Theater in Oneida, NY, as well as having had showings in Tacoma and Everett, Washington. Her second book, Have War Paint, Will Travel, is currently with the publisher, and her third book, as yet untitled, is a collaborative book of poetry with Suzan Harjo.

Suzanne Pak is the Director of Community Health at Answers Counseling, which provides Maternity Support Services and mental health counseling in 8 counties across Washington State.   Suzanne partners with state and local health agencies to lead the Culturally Responsive Integrated & Strength-Based Parenting (CRISP) education, Potentially Preventable Hospitalization Learning Collaborative, and digital navigation services.  Suzanne serves as the co-chair of the Pierce County Opioid Task Force prevention & education committee and on the WA State Digital Equity Forum – and is a certified trainer for Screening Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment and Motivational Interviewing.  Previously, Suzanne worked for Microsoft as the group training manager in global marketing and KWA as the community & behavioral health director.

Gregory M. Tanbara has spent all his life as a third generation (Sansei) Japanese American in Tacoma/Pierce County. He is the son of Kimiko (Fujimoto) Tanbara and Dr. George Tanbara. His parents were Nisei (second generation Japanese Americans) who met in the Heart Mount Relocation Center. They were among the 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry imprisoned during WWII in centers across the West. Mother Kimiko was born in Tacoma and spent her childhood in what was the Tacoma Japan town. His father was born in Portland OR, was drafted into the US Army in WWII, and eventually got into medical school and finished in 1955 specializing in pediatrics. Dr. Tanbara provided health care to families in Tacoma’s Hilltop for 53 years. Kimi and George were married 65 years. Tacoma was their home. They were active in their community. They both passed in 2017. Mom was 92 and Dad was 95.

Greg has always lived and worked in Tacoma. His 40-year career in human services included state and local government, higher education, and public health. He retired in 2023 from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. His final efforts there focused on ensuring Asian and Pacific Islanders communities got the information, resources, and services they needed regarding COVID-19.

He currently volunteers with Community Health Care, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, University of Washington Tacoma School of Urban Studies, and Parkland Youth Wellness Hub. Recently, he joined the effort to form the Washington State Chapter of the International Network of Asian Pacific Public Administrators. He is also a new volunteer with Symphony Tacoma in their effort to be a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization.

Greg is looking forward to seeing you at “BELIEVE YOUR EYES!”, The People’s Gathering, on November 9, 2023.

Pamela Duncan
Department of Enterprise Services (DES)
Deputy Director – Chief Transformation Officer

She/Her/Hers

Pamela (Pam) Duncan (she/her) joined DES in March 2023 with almost 40 years of professional experience ranging across both public and private sectors. She is a change agent. Her career has focused on identifying critical institutional, community, and social issues to create opportunities for collaborating on sustainable systems redesign.

Pam is passionate about helping others understand the foundations of systemic racism and raising awareness on the journey to undo institutionalized and systemic oppression. Her signature work is with systems development, particularly using the collective impact model. She approaches every situation as “what could be” based on examining how things evolved to their present state; challenging the existing status quo, people’s beliefs and habits; and identifying alternative models that shift power paradigms.

Pam has served as CEO of the Metropolitan Development Council, Human Services Manager for the City of Tacoma, Director of Community Investment and Assessment with United Way of Pierce County, and adjunct instructor with the Evergreen State College. Internationally, Pam is cofounder of the Ivory Coast Agricultural Network, which includes an NGO in West Africa and a U.S.-based nonprofit organization.

Pam’s academic background and professional development includes a master’s degree in urban studies–economic development from Cleveland State University and a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from Ohio University. She is a certified facilitator with the Pacific Institute and a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum. She has studied with the National Development Council and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She serves on the Board of Washington Low-Income Housing Alliance and is a Trustee of the Pierce County Library System. She is also an ordained minister with a focus on social justice.

She loves gardening, books, learning, plants, dancing, pets, is an avid fisherwoman, and believes in having a good laugh on a regular basis.

Michael A. Jordan holds the role of Business Operation Specialist at the Tacoma Pierce County Black Collective and has partnered with Sound Outreach in Pierce County’s Business Navigator program. He is also the visionary owner of Clarity Consulting, known for its motto, “Bring Clarity to your Situation.” At Clarity Consulting, they employ a unique combination of human-focused design and agile project management. Michael’s expertise lies in crafting comprehensive work environments, serving a diverse clientele, including small businesses and corporate and state-led initiatives.

Proudly rooted in Tacoma, Michael graduated from the University of Washington Tacoma with a Bachelor’s Degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, with a focus on economics. His mission centers around narrowing the wealth gap in the Black community by empowering Black entrepreneurs in Pierce County, Washington. He offers valuable guidance on capital infusion, relationship-building, and the adoption of agile project management techniques to facilitate business expansion into global brands.

With four years of experience in the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) field, Michael goes beyond being a consultant; he’s an advocate for impactful policy change. His dedicated efforts assist companies and organizations in recognizing and addressing their DEAI blind spots, fostering more inclusive environments.

In a world where the realms of business and social justice converge, Michael A. Jordan positions himself at the intersection, providing clarity and actionable solutions. His work transcends business development; it’s a commitment to uplifting communities and effecting enduring change.

Carol Mitchell joined the Washington State Bar in 1997. She has spent most of her legal career in public service, having applied her legal training to executive roles at Pierce County, Metro Parks, Pierce Transit, and the Port of Tacoma. Mitchell believes that pro bono legal services are essential to true justice, and that serving the most marginalized communities “can be eye- opening to people who lead well-insulated lives.”

In addition to serving as Director of Advocacy for the Institute for Black Justice, Mitchell is starting her third year as a member of the Board of Trustees for Clover Park Technical College. She previously served on the board of the Fair Housing Center of Washington and Palmer Scholars. She has been an active member of the Tacoma City Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Inc. (Tacoma CWC) since 2001. Along with a phenomenal Planning Committee of historic preservationists, architects, and land use professionals, Mitchell is leading the Tacoma CWC’s recent efforts to reclaim historic assets that once belonged to Tacoma’s thriving Black community.

Always holding education as a high priority, Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Washington, a Master of Arts in Organizational Systems Renewal from Seattle University, and a Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law with her three daughters in tow.

A lover of international cultural travel, Mitchell’s most memorable adventures included visiting the Elmina and Cape Coast transatlantic slave sites in Ghana; hiking through the Daintree Rainforest of Queensland, Australia; and celebrating the Autumn Moon Festival in Singapore.

Monica Andrade-Hupp is a Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Project Manager with a history of managing large hospital projects and events in healthcare and community settings. She is a graduate of California State University Fullerton with a Bachelor’s in Sociology. She is passionate about project management and the profound social impact projects can have on communities, policies, and systemic change. An advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, Monica hopes to inspire others to do the same, beginning within her own family and in her work as the Latino Leadership Network’s Co-Chair.

Guillermo Medrano was born in Arlington, Virginia but spent his formative years in San Miguel, El Salvador with his grandmother and extended family. These short but impactful years would have a lasting impression to this day on him, as he always strives for justice and equality for all after coming to terms with the reasons that caused his family to immigrate to the US in the 70’s and 80’s.

He currently works as a Project Manager at the National Institute of Health but spends the majority of his free time volunteering and championing impactful work done for the working class within the DC community as well as his family’s motherland of El Salvador.

As a young child, María immigrated to the beautiful Skagit Valley from Mexico with her mother. A graduate of Western Washington University, María has expertise in management, policy development, and language access refined through her work in various non-profit and public service agencies. She was appointed by Governor Inslee as executive director for the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs in August of 2018.

María lives in Olympia with her partner and Stinky Dingo; is a serial-restorer of craftsman homes; and almost always falls asleep during movies.

Proudly first generation immigrant from the Republic of Palau. Ten years ago, Yvonne immigrated to the U.S. and attended high school and college. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 2023 with her social work degree and is currently working with homeless youth at the Hilltop community in Tacoma. Yvonne plans to pursue her MSW and social work license in the future and return to her home country to start her private practice for Palau’s first ever family social services.

Filipino-American born and raised in Ewa Beach, Hawai’i. Graduated PLU in 2021 with Bachelors in Social Work and received Masters in Social Work from UW Seattle in 2022. Currently a school social worker for Highline Public Schools specifically at a middle and elementary school. Since moving from Hawai’i, Tacoma has become her second home!

Sili Savusa serves as the Executive Director of the Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington and is one of the most prominent Samoan community leaders in the Northwest. In her leadership role, she proudly represents and advocates for underrepresented voices in her community, a commitment she continues to uphold. Before her current position, she held the role of Executive Director at the White Center CDA and previously worked as the Family Services Coordinator at Southwest Youth and Family Services. Some of her notable accomplishments include establishing the first Samoan Pacific Islander Parent Teacher Student Association in the nation, becoming the first woman of color elected to the Highline School Board, and successfully managing a multi-million dollar Making Connections comprehensive community change initiative supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Roxane Maiko Byrne is the Coordinator of Equity, Diversity and Cultural Competency at Santa Barbara City College in Santa Barbara, California. Roxane holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Santa Barbara and a Ph.D. in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University. Her research centers on the experiences of multiracial students in higher education with an emphasis on exploring identity and sense of belonging in racial affinity spaces. Dr. Byrne has served the SBCC community for over 16 years as an educational administrator, adjunct faculty member, classified staff member, and a personal counselor. She currently oversees multiple programs and centers within the Office of Equity, Diversity and Cultural Competency including the Center for Equity and Social Justice, the Umoja Center for Black Student Success, The Dream Center for Undocumented Student Success, and the Basic Needs Centers. Dr. Byrne also served as an adjunct professor of psychology and education at Antioch University, Santa Barbara for 4 years.

Isis Castañeda has been working with teens, young adults, and their families in the Santa Barbara area since 1997.  She established her business, Creating Connections in 2016 with a solid history of facilitating teen and parent groups, community outreach, trainings, public speaking, and organizing events.  Isis immigrated to the United States as a young child from Central America and lived in Virginia until her early teens. She returned to live in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Belize throughout her teen years and eventually landed in Santa Barbara. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies at Antioch University of Santa Barbara and is certified in Emotional Intelligence, Restorative Justice, Team Building Experiential Education, and as an Instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid and teen Mental Health First Aid.

Isis’ global perspective and multicultural and multiracial heritage, her background in youth development, and life-coaching practice allows her to connect easily with teens, young adults, parents, and community service providers.

Laurie Arnold, M.Ed.

I’m a teachable white lady who was raised radical in Hilltop, Tacoma. I am an intercultural traveler who is still learning, unlearning and relearning. I am an antiracist co-conspirator and my karaoke name is Madame Potato Fly.

Thomas has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership focused on addressingpoverty, hunger and other forms of global injustice all over the world.  After working in Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, he served as Vice President of Program Partnerships and Learning at CARE, responsible for anti-poverty programs in 95 countries. Since 2017, Thomas has been the CEO of Northwest Harvest where he is focused on advancing equity-oriented policy outcomes; developing a network of human service providers; and distributing nutritious and culturally appropriate food throughout Washington.

This is the sixth The People’s Gathering for Ken Sauby who brings 30 years of WA Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) experience. Ken started as a Financial Service Specialist (now called Public Benefits Specialist) and worked as a Leadworker, Supervisor, Region Financial Trainer, Deputy Administrator (Yakima CSO, two years), Administrator (Sunnyside CSO, six years), Strategic Initiatives Program Manager (four years under Dr. Karen A. Johnson), and now five years as Employee Engagement Program Manager under Nichole Ossa in the Pro Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) Unit consulting primarily for the 2,300 staff of the Community Services Division and assisting the 17,000 staff of DSHS. Ken has attended many EDI training sessions over the years.

Ken is a certified trainer in Crucial Conversations and Crucial Accountability. He is also a certified trainer and Coder/Coach for Motivational Interviewing. In addition to his regular duties he started delivering Shared Strengths Workshops to staff in 2007 based upon the 34 Clifton Strengths from Gallup. With 130 workshops provided to over 2,000 staff, this one day experience is always in popular demand and now is a major part of his regular duties. He manages the Strengths Community of Practice that has over 1,500 members statewide. Strengths, Self-Care, Well-Being, and Trauma Informed are regular topics that Ken presents or facilitates activities around. In 2022 he became a Work + Love Leader and will be a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach within a few months.

Ken is married to Deb (33 years) and they have five sons and seven grandchildren. They share their Moxee home with two Siamese cats, Haven and Lexi, and one dog, Remy, who is a ShihTzu/Bichon Frise mix and provides constant companionship.

Patricia Vogel (she/her) leads philanthropic engagement and strategic planning for donor communities at Northwest Harvest using a community centric model that is grounded in equity and social justice. With a broad range of experience in non-profit leadership, she was previously development director, and yoga instructor, for Yoga Behind Bars – an organization that focuses on trauma-informed yoga and meditation for rehabilitation. Working behind bars and listening to incarcerated people tell their stories was life-changing and led her on a personal journey to become an anti-racist. Patricia believes deeply in the healing power of breathwork, community and connection, and is honored to participate in the People’s Gathering for the fourth time.