Who We Are

Phil Lewis is a dedicated community leader with over a decade of experience advocating for youth empowerment, social justice, and inclusive leadership development. As Pastor of Youth and Community at Union Presbyterian Church, he founded a queer-affirming spirituality program, expanding mentorship and engagement opportunities for young people. He has coordinated high-impact community initiatives, secured over $100,000 in grants, and worked closely with nonprofits to advance equity and systemic change. Phil holds a Master’s in Reconciliation and Intercultural Studies from Seattle Pacific University and is passionate about advancing equity, human rights, and systemic transformation in Seattle and beyond.

Koumudi Phadake identifies as an Indian-American woman and has resided in the Greater Seattle area for over 10 years. Her academic pursuits at the University of Washington helped her develop a strong EDI&B (equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging) philosophy that has defined her commitment to the growth and livability of Seattle residents and workers. 

An advocate for the working class, Koumudi supported unionizing and picketing efforts through work with MLK Labor and the Washington State Labor Council. The experience emboldened her to develop a foundational understanding of internal human resource operations, to help achieve her goal of creating diverse and equitable workplaces that put the people first. Koumudi also has lived experience, which has only served to deepen her advocacy of housing first and harm reduction policies. Her career ambitions and experience consequently brought her to Mary’s Place, where she currently provides data-driven human resource support to employees serving families experiencing homelessness. 

In August of 2024, Koumudi began her tenure as a commissioner of the Seattle Human Rights Commission, where she contributes to the City of Seattle’s vision for human rights and social justice.  

Amy Kate Bailey is a researcher, teacher, writer, and third-generation union member, and has been on faculty at a federally-designated Minority Serving Institution for more than a decade. She has organized multiple community efforts addressing issues including affordable housing, LGBTQ+ inclusion, political engagement, and immigrant rights. Bailey's work on structural racism, health equity, local communities, and the consequences of military employment has been supported with more than $750,000 in grants from federal and institutional funders.  She holds a PhD in Sociology (certifications in Demography and Race & Inequality) from the University of Washington, and an MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Goutham is dedicated to protecting fundamental rights, with a focus on combating human trafficking and promoting fairness in policy.

Katie has nine years of experience in human rights advocacy and research and is deeply committed to promoting social justice. Most recently, she completed her PhD at the University of Washington where she studied human rights and humanitarianism in North Korea. Before that, she worked at international human rights organizations including the Freedom Fund, an NGO in London dedicated to ending modern slavery, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights in Geneva, and the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights, an NGO in Seoul that investigates and documents rights abuses experienced by North Koreans.

Katie is proud to call Seattle home and is delighted to join the Commission and help advance the rights of her local community. She is eager to learn from local activists, engage with community members, and help ensure that all Seattleites feel respected and recognized.

Calvin Lassiter is a human rights advocate, future entrepreneur, and spiritual enthusiast based in Seattle. Born in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, he brings a Southern perspective on justice and the warmth and hospitality that shaped him. He served two years on his hometown’s Economic Development Board, gaining hands-on experience in civic planning and community expansion.

With firsthand experience of homelessness and the criminal justice system, Calvin brings a grounded, authentic voice to issues like African American rights, women’s rights, criminal justice reform, housing equity, and LGBTQ+ advocacy. While he brings a wide range of experience, he doesn’t claim expertise in any field. He believes learning never stops and is committed to building a more just, compassionate, and unified Seattle. If Calvin could sum up his stance on human rights in one sentence, it would be: “I am a voice for those left out of the room and denied a seat at the table.”