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Meet the Commissioners
Tera Bianchi Tera received her Master's in Social Work from the University of Washington with a focus on policy related to child welfare. She currently works as a researcher and writer for a small management consulting company that specializes in workplace diversity and inclusion. Her interest areas include social justice and promoting programs that equal the playing field for under served youth. 
Masha Burina As Co-founder and Director of Student Trade Justice Campaign, Masha Burina has traveled around the country encouraging college students to become civically engaged. Ms. Burina was active in Washington State Model United Nations, Oxfam, and Hate Free Zone. Ms. Burina earned a B.A. in economics and international studies from the University of Washington. Ms. Burina currently works as a legal assistant at an immigration law firm. Ms. Burina is a first generation immigrant from the former Yugoslavia.
Eboni Colbert, Co-Chair Eboni became involved in the women’s movement making domestic violence her main focus. In 2000 she was hired at the East Cherry YWCA where she worked in collaboration with the Washington State Dept. of Social and Health Services to develop a pilot program that placed domestic violence advocates within local DSHS agencies. She was co-facilitator for the only African American domestic violence survivor support group in Seattle. Eboni is currently the Co-Executive Director at Communities Against Rape & Abuse CARA, and continues to work closely with other organizations to support issues that impact African American women today.
Ms. Echo-Hawk volunteers for a number of organizations while balancing college, family and full-time work. She is an enrolled member of the Pawnee Nation and is in the Native American Studies progam with a minor in Human Rights at the University of Washington. She is the Seattle Women's Commission's Get Engaged representative and brings to the Commission a focus on promoting equality and increasing opportunities for women in all areas of life.
Carrie Evans is Deputy Director of Washington Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest, a nonprofit organization which seeks to identify and support local solutions to systemic public policy challenges. Carrie previously worked in education policy and new program development at the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Affairs. She has long held an interest in women's political leadership and public policy issues affecting women. Prior to arriving to Seattle in 2002, Carrie coordinated outreach efforts on a maternal and child health project in Oregon, led a state-wide effort to expand mentoring programs in Maine, and led backpacking trips for teenage girls in the mountains of the Northwest. She holds a BA in History from Colorado College and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington.
Lette Hadgu For nearly thirty years, Lette Hadgu held various posts at the University of Washington Office of Minority Affairs. She retired this year from her latest position, Early Scholars Outreach Director, and started an educational consultant business. Ms. Hadgu, an east African immigrant, frequently lectures on multiculturalism, immigrant and refugee women and families, and issues in education. Ms. Hadgu is an active volunteer in the African immigrant community. Ms. Hadgu has a keen awareness of issues that affect low income, marginalized women in Seattle.
Paula Houston Paula earned a Master’s of Health Administration at the University of Washington and a Bachelor’s of Science at Syracuse University in New York. She is currently the Executive Director of the Meredith Mathews East Madison YMCA. Paula’s professional background is in health administration in both community and public health settings. Given this, her passion for women’s issues lies in health, fitness and wellness.
Kate Hubbard Kate Hubbard has a long and wide record of public service, from volunteering at the Northwest African American Museum and the Audubon Society, to tutoring in the King County Jail as well as a Buddhist Temple in Korea, to serving on the Seattle Mayor's Commission on Central America in the 1980's. Ms. Hubbard holds a Master's of Education, Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Washington. Ms. Hubbard brings to the Commission a passion for social and economic justice, an expertise in board development and leadership, as well as broad ranging life experience and political savy.
JoAnne McGaw JoAnne earned a BSW at University of Washington’s Displaced Homemaker’s Program and an MSW at the Private Industry Council of Snohomish County’s Entrepreneurial Training Program for low income women. She counseled, taught, and lead study groups and provided resources and guidance to women in personal, workplace, career and entrepreneurial development. She continues to work in women’s organizations including the League of Women Voters and the Older Women’s League and brings her concern and awareness of women’s issues to her civic activism and her personal life.
Betsy McConnell Gutierrez Betsy McConnell Gutierrez has for the past nineteen years worked as a Program Coordinator for the South Seattle Community College Duwamish Industrial and Apprenticeship Training Center. Ms. Gutierrez has held numerous union leadership positions and has a wealth of volunteer experience. Ms. Gutierrez has extensive experience in program planning and contract negotiation. Ms. Gutierrez brings a passion for the issues that affect working women, particularly work life balance and encouraging women to enter the trades.
Bio to follow Olivia Robinson works as the Regional Affairs Coordinator for the Puget Sound Regional Council and previously worked for Congressman Jay Inslee. She received her BA in Political Science and History from the Saint Mary College in Leavenworth, KS and her MA in History from Montana State University. She worked with children from inner-city Belfast at Glebe House in Northern Ireland and currently is active with the Institute for a Democratic Future and as a mentor with the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program.
Ms. Shoshana earned a B.A. from The Evergreen State College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Washington. A practicing attorney, admitted in both Washington and Colorado, she is currently the Legal Director for the Senior Rights Assistance program of Senior Services, and a protem Magistrate Judge in Seattle Municipal Court. She was Director of the Seattle City Attorney's Domestic Violence Unit from 1995-2005, where she served on a number of state and local advisory boards on domestic violence prosecution, prevention and sentencing guidelines. Ms. Shoshana is the Commission's representative on the Seattle Domestic Violence Prevention Council serving on its Criminal Justice Committee. She formerly co-chaired the Civil Rights Committee of the Anti Defamation League's Pacific NW Region and has been active in many civic and charitable organizations in Seattle and Denver.
Ms. Wakenight has been employed as a Metro bus driver since 1985. She is an Executive Board Officer of ATU Local 587 and President of the Puget Sound Chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women.
Linnea Westerlind has a Bachelor's degree in journalism from Western Washington University and a Master's degree in international development from Uppsala University in Sweden. She has worked in the communications field for six years and most recently was the Director of Communications for the YMCA of Greater Seattle. Linnea is passionate about women's issues, particularly preventing violence against women, creating opportunities for immigrant women and giving women a voice through media.
Sonya Zilka is a Human Resources professional at The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and has spent much of her professional and volunteer efforts on issues related to diversity, equality and inclusion. A graduate of EMERGE California, a political training program that trains democratic women for political office, she is originally from Spokane, Washington. Ms. Zilka has held several positions in organizations focused on issues relevant to women and girls, including: The Women's Foundation in Hong Kong, CARAL's Politcal Committee, Chair of the Associate Board, Girls Vacation Fund (an organization that sends needy girls to camp), a Student Mentor in the PS111 Power Lunch Program, Volunteer Speaker/educator for Planned Parenthood's Speaker's Bureau, Legislative Vice President, NOW-NYC and Chair of the National Organization for Women-NYC's Anti-violence committee. Sonya has a BS in Psychology from Washington State University and a Masters in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University.
How to Become a Commissioner
The Seattle Women's Commission accepts applications throughout the year. April - June is the time of the year for filling seats on the Seattle Women's Commission vacated by the Commissioners whose terms will end in July. There may also be vacancies at other times during the year. Terms are for 2 years. All appointments are subject to confirmation by the Seattle City Council. The Seattle Women's Commission is a 20-member board that advises the Mayor and City Council on issues of concern to women. The Commission recommends policies and legislation regarding these issues to City officials and departments. The Commission encourages understanding between the women's community and the greater Seattle community. Participation on the Seattle Women's Commission requires a minimum time commitment of 8 -10 hours per month, plus attendance at monthly meetings, held the third Monday evening of each month. Commissioners carry out the Commission workplan, and analyze and provide written and verbal input to Mayor and City Council about policies and plans. Commission member serve without compensation. Interested applicants must reside within the City of Seattle. If you would like to be considered, please send a letter of interest and a current resume to: Seattle Women's Commission The Seattle Women's Commission is committed to representing the diversity of the Seattle community. Persons with disabilities, sexual minorities, and persons of color are encouraged to apply. For more information, please call Marta Idowu at the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (206) 684-4540 or e-mail.
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