Who We Are

Scot is a product of the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Tacoma, WA and living in Seattle since 2020. He obtained his BSc. In Biology (Molecular, Cellular, Developmental) from the University of Washington in 2019 and has since been a strong advocate for accessibility and inclusivity in scientific and investigative processes. Scot has worked most of his career in the employ of the City of Seattle, at both the Parks and Recreation Department and Human Services Department. For most of his time with the City, he has worked at Garfield Community Center to help deliver programs, events and resources to community members and create an inclusive environment that is welcoming to people of all ability or disability statuses. Scot is excited to leverage his experience with science communication and accessibility to bridge gaps and translate complex sentiments to a wide audience and help create connective tissue between advocacy groups to better serve Seattle’s disabled communities. 

JJ is a lifelong advocate, where she first began her involvement with non-profit work in middle school, volunteering with dog rescue organizations. This sparked her dedication to advocating for social justice and equity, especially in minority and/or underserved communities. She had the opportunity to live, work, travel, and volunteer abroad, serving LGBTQIA+ communities, supporting youth development and education programs, and interacting with diverse communities. With an MA in Educational/Developmental Psychology, her focus was on the development of the individual and on mental health conditions, sometimes called “invisible disabilities.” As an administrator at a library for the print disabled, she was able to interact with individuals of diverse backgrounds and learn about the struggles the disabled communities face, as well as the diversity of this community. JJ is happy to bring her experience and skills to better serve the community!

Dr. Adekunbi "Kunbi" Ajiboye is a higher education leader, educator, and equity-centered practitioner with more than 15 years of experience advancing access, inclusion, and student success across higher education and health systems in the United States and Canada. She has held leadership roles including Dean of Student Development at Seattle Central College and Director of Student Wellness at the University of Victoria, where she oversaw disability resources, health and wellness services, student support programs, and institutional initiatives focused on belonging and equity. Dr. Ajiboye currently teaches graduate courses in Adult and Higher Education at Western Washington University and works with organizations to strengthen equitable policies and practices. A first-generation Nigerian-American and proud Seattle resident, she brings both professional and lived perspectives to issues of accessibility, mental health, and social justice, along with a deep commitment to building communities where all people can fully participate and thrive.

Jessi Benveniste (she/her) currently serves as a Civil Rights Investigator at the University of Washington with a professional background in civil rights, higher education, conflict resolution/restorative justice, and equity-focused systems change. Drawing on both her professional experience and lived experience as a person with invisible disabilities, Jessi is passionate about advancing accessibility and creating communities where all individuals can fully participate and belong. She is excited to contribute to the Seattle Disability Commission's work to build a more accessible and inclusive Seattle. 

Sawyer is new to Seattle having moved here after obtaining her Master's in 2023 at CWU. As a freshman in college, she sustained a spinal cord injury that left her a quadriplegic. After her injury, she became much more engaged with the disability community and even had the opportunity to work at a Center for Independent Living as a Disability Specialist. This fueled her passion to advocate on a deeper level in disability policy after experiencing the inequity faced in the community and with the healthcare system.  She recently completed a fellowship posted by Disability Belongs in the public policy and civic engagement department and has been looking for ways to continue supporting people with disabilities in our community. Sawyer hopes to contribute her skills and past experiences working with people with disabilities to better serve people with disabilities in Seattle and all of King County. 

Samiya Nasim is a lifelong advocate for mental health and accessibility. Driven by her lived experiences, she began her journey in advocacy by founding LonePack, a youth mental health organization dedicated to breaking stigma and improving youth mental health accessibility in India. Through LonePack, Samiya has led large-scale awareness campaigns, launched India’s first anonymous peer support platform, and reached over 130,000 people. Her work included outreach events at schools and colleges, support groups and large scale awareness campaigns.

With an MBA from The Wharton School and a background in Computer Science Engineering, Samiya brings experience across consulting, analytics and technology/AI.  Now living in Seattle, Samiya is excited to contribute to the Disabilities Commission by amplifying underrepresented voices and helping shape a more inclusive city for all. She is committed to championing equitable policies and fostering a supportive, accessible community.

Julia Thompson is a Seattle renter and public transit rider who is passionate about building communities that are equitable, inclusive, and sustainable. She is currently pursuing an Executive Master of Public Administration at the London School of Economics and brings over a decade of professional experience in program design, food systems, and supply chain strategy. Julia has managed multimillion-dollar product portfolios, led cross-functional teams, and launched an equitable access program at CuliNex that expanded consulting services to BIPOC- and women-owned businesses. In her current role at Amazon Fresh, she oversees sourcing strategies and collaborates daily with people across a wide range of backgrounds, from new immigrant food workers to senior executives. Having lived in both rural and urban communities across the U.S. and abroad, Julia values diverse perspectives and understands how planning decisions affect people’s daily lives. She is especially motivated by her experiences navigating the city with family members of different abilities and is committed to helping make Seattle a place where the built environment is welcoming, accessible, and resilient for all. 

Linda Finkle moved to Seattle from Upstate New York last year to be closer to family here. With an MBA and WFR, she had a long career in marketing while on the east coast, working in both the corporate and non-profit worlds. Eight years ago, she began a new chapter, teaching kayaking, snowshoeing, and environmental education, and volunteering in organizations focused on adaptive sports and recreation, and conservation. She is currently active with Outdoors for All, Camp Korey, DKMS-Delete Blood Cancer, Diversity and Inclusion In Pickleball, and Seattle Inspiring Connections Outdoors/Sierra Club.

Zachary is a graduate of Seattle University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Forensics. During his studies, he developed a solid foundation in a variety of Criminal Justice practices and principles. In addition to his experience researching police legitimacy in Seattle, Zachary also holds more than 7 years in executive administration and community-based work, much of which has been with populations of disabled individuals. Zachary firmly believes in advocating for all people and working collaboratively with diverse teams of individuals to achieve meaningful results. His dedication to making a positive impact in the community aligns heavily with the beliefs and practices of the legal field, where he hopes to serve as an advocate for individuals with disabilities. 

Charlie strives to be involved in Seattle civic affairs based on recognizing the importance civic engagement can have towards benefitting public well-being. Joining the Seattle Disability Commission is of particular interest to Charlie because disability matters have been a crucial part of Charlie’s experiences in life and work. Charlie hopes to use his knowledge and background to support the Commission’s work of being a voice for the disability community in Seattle.

Balvina Cortez is passionate about creating systemic change and building stronger community connections. With her experience living as a parent of neurodivergent children, her formal training to serve in non-profit boards along with her current participation in UW LEND Leadership Program has prepared her to be an advocate and representative of the community.  Her experiences have shown the importance of representation, and of centering disabled voices in policy and decision-making. She brings her experiences and perspective as someone directly impacted, but also her dedication to listening, learning, and working collaboratively to advance disability justice in Seattle.

Marc Côté brings experience working with and on behalf of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) to his position on the Seattle Disability Commission. After 12 years as a civilian electrical engineer for the U.S. Air Force in Boston, he moved to Seattle in 1995. In 1998 he joined Parkview Services as a counselor, later creating its Homeownership Program to help people with IDDs achieve housing stability. He directed that program until becoming Executive Director in 2012. Marc, who holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, was honored with the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s “Friend of Housing” award in 2011.  

Jackie Yust, J.D., M.A., LMHCA is a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Intern at the University of Washington Autism Center where she provides autism evaluations in the infant and toddler clinic and participates in research related to autism. She recently completed the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) interdisciplinary training program at the University of Washington, Institute on Human Development and Disability where she practiced interdisciplinary care for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, as well as engaged in local, state, and federal advocacy efforts to promote systems and policies that are responsive to the diversity of the disability community and promote inclusion and equity. Jackie is a proud descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and embeds the value of relationality and community care into all of her efforts.

Naomi Snow grew up alongside her sister with intellectual and developmental disabilities, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to equity and inclusion. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington, where she served as Student Body President and worked to expand access to basic needs, healthcare, and student resources. She also founded the Beyond 22 Project, a nonprofit dedicated to improving quality of life and long-term supports for individuals with disabilities and their families after they age out of public education systems. With a background in advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and policy development, Naomi hopes to contribute to the Seattle Disability Commission by strengthening accessibility, amplifying lived experiences, and advancing policies that better support people with disabilities across the city.

Born in Louisiana and raised in Minnesota, Dan’s life has followed an unconventional and adventurous path. In 1978, he sustained a spinal cord injury—an event dramatically delivered by a van colliding with him and his motorcycle.

After completing his undergraduate studies, he began his professional career as an administrator and trip leader with Wilderness Inquiry, an organization that takes mixed-ability groups on canoe and dogsled adventures. He then took a position at Mankato State University, where he directed a mixed-ability outdoor education program. He later returned to graduate school to pursue advanced studies in Outdoor Education and Therapeutic Recreation. Before completing the program, however, he relocated to Seattle and, with two partners, founded a Volvo salvage yard. After selling his interest in the business, Dan traveled to Central America to support the FMLN in El Salvador following the signing of the historic peace accords between the democracy movement and the repressive U.S.-backed Salvadoran government. 

Upon returning to the United States, he joined a small software company serving agricultural cooperatives throughout the Midwest. When the company closed in 2019, he returned to his roots in recreation, accepting a position with Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Throughout most of his journey, he has been accompanied by his spouse and their two sons.

Rashaad O’Neal is an integrated marketing communications professional with a Master of Arts in the field and a career-long dedication to digital equity. Rashaad has extensive experience navigating the complexities of public sector information, having spent years overseeing digital communication ecosystems for public K-12 school districts across the Puget Sound. His work is defined by the belief that clear, accessible communication is a prerequisite for civic participation. By blending technical expertise in digital strategy with a commitment to community advocacy, Rashaad focuses on dismantling information barriers to ensure that public platforms are inclusive by design.