Who We Are

The Seattle Women's Commission is composed of 21 accomplished individuals who come together as volunteers to research, analyze and make recommendations to the Mayor, City Council, and City Departments on issues facing women in Seattle. Nine commissioners are appointed by the Mayor, nine appointments are made by the City Council, and two appointments are made by the Commission. Commissioners are appointed to a two year term of office and serve without pay. A 21st member joins the Commission each year through Get Engaged, a leadership development program for 18-29 year olds.

The Seattle Office for Civil Rights provides staff and support to the Commission.

Learn About Commission Work


Meet Our Commissioners

Emily Rose Barr

Emily Rose Barr

(She/Her)
Co-chair
Appointed by: City Council
Term: 7/2/2025 - 7/1/2027

Bio + -

Emily Rose Barr is a mental health therapist and founder of A Soul Awake Psychotherapy, LLC, where she works with women struggling with depression, anxiety, life transitions, and similar concerns. Emily’s drive to advance equality and bolster traditionally underserved communities dates back to her time as an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she served as a member of the Girls Advocacy Project, a program that connects adolescent girls involved in the juvenile justice system with trained advocates for 10 to 15 weeks to pursue their chosen goals.

Prior to establishing her private practice, Emily earned her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Loyola University Maryland. She went on to work as a therapist in the Baltimore City School System, where her efforts focused on improving outcomes for children and adolescents with developmental, depressive, anxiety, disruptive, and trauma-related disorders. She further served as a technical writer for The Mosaic Group, a nationally recognized consulting firm and certified women-owned small business, where she developed strategic content for key stakeholders in the health and human services fields.

A Midwest native and Pacific Northwest transplant, Emily is thrilled to call Seattle home. She believes that there are various responsibilities accompanying her identity as a woman, including working for and promoting women’s equality, honoring women’s legacy, and empowering women to go after their dreams in a society that often encourages otherwise. In addition to serving on the Women’s Commission, Emily volunteers for PEPS, Backpack Brigade, and the Seattle Symphony. Emily is incredibly honored to be a part of the Women’s Commission and can’t wait to see what it accomplishes in the coming years!

Neely Evanoff headshot.

Neely Evanoff

Co-Chair
Appointed by: City Council
Term: 7/02/2024 - 7/01/2026

Bio + -

Neely is a second-generation American by way of Detroit, Michigan and became an official Seattleite in 2022. She speaks English and Spanish, and brings nearly a decade of experience in digital content strategy—managing global marketing programs for Seattle-based companies like DocuSign and Brooks Running. She’s passionate about getting outside and cares deeply about making outdoor spaces safe and welcoming for everyone.

During her 2025–2027 term, Neely will apply her background in research, user experience, and writing to help understand and inform how Seattle’s policies impact women—particularly in the areas of women’s health, affordable housing, and gender-based violence. In her free time, she enjoys cold-water surfing attempts and long walks with her dog, Bubba.

Headshot of Talley Mills.

Talley Mills

Co-Chair
Appointed by: City Council
Term: 7/02/2024 - 7/01/2026

Bio + -

Talley Mills is a graduate student at the University of Washington pursuing her Master in Public Administration. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, her love for the outdoors brought her to Seattle. Talley holds a B.B.A. in Economics from the University of Georgia, with a concentration in public policy and a certificate in legal studies. Her senior thesis, “Characteristics and Economic Costs of Intimate Partner Violence in the United States”, reflects her dedication to illuminating and addressing systemic social issues through an economic lens. 

Talley is passionate about bridging community voices with public institutions to build safer, more equitable systems for all. She centers lived experience in her approach to public service–listening deeply, amplifying community voices, and fostering collaboration between constituents and government entities. In 2025, Talley led the Seattle Women’s Commission’s first art exhibition, “We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For,” in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. She looks forward to continuing similar projects in partnership with local businesses, organizations, and community members. 

Outside of school and volunteer work, Talley enjoys outdoor recreation, printmaking, supporting the arts, and cheering on The Dawgs!

Photo of Whitney Nakamura.

Whitney Nakamura

(She/Her)
Co-Chair
Appointed by: Commission
Term: 7/2/2024 - 7/1/2026

Bio + -

Whitney is a mother, social worker, and pizza enthusiast. Born and raised here, Whitney is honored to call Seattle home and she is committed to centering the voices, needs and ambitions of our local communities. After many roles in social service settings, Whitney is working to expand her imagination and capacity to engage in systems change/social justice work. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her perspective and experiences to advance the work of our Commission and City. 

Headshot of Krystal Guerrero.

Krystal Guerrero

(She/Her)
Member
Appointed by: Commission
Term: 07/02/2024 - 07/01/2026

Bio + -

Krystal Guerrero leads Digital Customer Growth at AT&T, driving innovative strategies for customer engagement and digital transformation. Over the past two years, she has significantly contributed to the Seattle Women's Commission, focusing on affordable housing, gender-based violence, and community building through policy advocacy and outreach programs. Previously, Krystal led marketing and communications at SheJumps, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the participation of women and girls in outdoor activities. Her expertise lies in digital initiatives that support women's access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. 

Krystal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and studied Environmental Science at the University of Washington. Krystal spends her free time adventuring outdoors and lives in the vibrant Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle with her husband and cat.

Hannah Glover

Hannah Glover

(She/Her)
Member
Appointed by: Mayor
Term: 7/2/2024 - 7/01/2026

Bio + -

Hannah Glover was born and raised in San Francisco. From a young age, Hannah has been a fierce champion of women's rights and was known by her family, friends, and classmates as an avid debater. She moved to Seattle immediately after graduating from Whitman College, where she received her BA in Sociology with a Minor in Biology.

While a student she ran the Storytime program, a volunteer organization to promote literacy and a love of reading in young children. At Whitman, she wrote her thesis titled "From Home Births to Designer Babies: A Qualitative Study of the Future of Birth and Family Building " which she presented at the Pacific Sociological Association. She works as a Health Navigator at the Elizabeth Gregory Home.

As a Health Navigator, she works to bridge the gap in access to health resources for unhoused women in the Seattle Area. As part of her position, she also runs clinics and hosts health education events at the Elizabeth Gregory Home. In her free time, Hannah loves to feed her friends, knit, and explore the city.

Chief Seattle medallion

Nardos Tola

Member
Appointed by: Commission
Term: 7/02/2024 - 7/01/2026

Bio + -

Nardos Tola is a dedicated advocate for equity, family well-being, and community resilience. She is currently completing her Master of Social Work at the University of Washington Tacoma, where her work focuses on advancing equitable systems and policies that honor dignity, inclusion, and sustainable change. Her professional and academic experiences include supporting families affected by housing instability, domestic violence, and economic inequity.

Nardos is passionate about uplifting voices often left out of decision-making spaces and ensuring that women and families have access to safety, opportunity, and belonging. In her role on the Seattle Women’s Commission, she hopes to strengthen cross-sector collaboration and contribute to policies that support thriving, equitable communities.

Outside of her advocacy work, Nardos enjoys traveling, exploring Washington’s small towns and natural landscapes, and spending slow mornings reading over good coffee. She values empathy, curiosity, and authenticity as guiding principles in both her life and work.

Naseem Ghazanfari headshot

Naseem Ghazanfari

Member
Appointed by: Mayor
Term: 7/02/2024 - 7/01/2026
Headshot of Jennifer Tran.

Jennifer Tran

Member
Appointed by: City Council
Term: 7/02/2025 - 7/1/2027

Bio + -

Jennifer Tran is an independent technical writer and product marketer. She is passionate about education in technology and science and is committed to using her skills to raise awareness of policy issues and to bridge the private and public sectors.

In her free time, she enjoys playing sports. She is a regular at YMCAs in Seattle. She is a proud member of the Orca Swim Team, which trains at Seattle University and the Evergreen Aquatic Center, and regularly competes in swim competitions.

Headshot of Amanda DeFisher.

Amanda DeFisher

Member
Appointed by: City Council
Term: 7/2/2024 - 7/1/2026

Bio + -

With nearly two decades of experience in the nonprofit and government sectors, including her current role as Project Manager with the Seattle Office of Police Accountability, Amanda is deeply committed to driving meaningful and impactful change through the Seattle Women's Commission. 

She is a founding member of Recovery All Ways, a recovery-based, harm-reduction nonprofit in her hometown of Rochester, NY. Throughout her career, she has been deeply committed to advancing initiatives focused on affordable housing, homelessness, and substance use disorder, and is particularly sensitive to their impact on women. Her personal and professional mission is to leave everything and everyone in a better place than she found them, and she believes that even small, thoughtful changes can drive big, lasting impact.

Amanda holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from SUNY Brockport, a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies: Visual and Cultural from St. John Fisher University, and is pursuing a graduate certificate in Leading Public Innovation from the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy & Governance. On the weekends, Amanda spends her time skiing, snowboarding, bouldering, and hiking with her dog Sunny, and human, Greg. She is honored to be a part of the Seattle Women's Commission and its important work.

Headshot of Eunji Han.

Eunji Han

Appointed by: Mayor
Term: 7/02/2024 - 07/02/2026

Bio + -

Eunji Han is Director of Business Operations & Strategy at Wizards of the Coast, where she helps drive strategic planning and execution across the organization. She brings cross-industry expertise from prior roles in marketing and innovation at T-Mobile, campaign management at Comcast Advertising, and Chief of Staff positions at multiple companies.

Her background also includes political experience with Congressman Adam Smith, MP Harriet Harman, and Mike Bloomberg, as well as civic engagement through the Seattle Women’s Commission.

Eunji holds an MBA from NYU Stern and a B.A. in Political Science and English from the University of Rochester. A passionate traveler, she has visited 50+ countries and enjoys life in Seattle with her husband and two dogs, Stella and Esther.

Headshot of Kate Faoro Wright.

Kate Faoro Wright

(She/Her)
Member
Appointed by: City Council
Term: 7/02/2024 - 7/01/2026

Bio + -

A proud Pacific Northwest native, I bring over a decade of experience in public service, nonprofit leadership, and advocacy, with a deep focus on gender equity. My professional journey spans policy analysis, nonprofit administration, and small business ownership—including founding Tapestry Event Co., a feminist wedding planning company rooted in inclusivity, gender equity, and celebration of all love stories. I hold a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in International Studies, and I’ve built a career at the intersection of systems change and human-centered design.

I am especially passionate about advancing reproductive and maternal health, and ensuring that all women—especially those from historically marginalized communities—have access to dignified, comprehensive care. As a commissioner on the Seattle Women’s Commission, I hope to amplify community voices, advocate for equitable policies, and contribute to building a city where every woman can thrive. Guided by values of empathy, justice, curiosity, and collective care, I believe sustainable change happens when we center lived experience and lead with both head and heart.

Outside of work, you’ll often find me exploring the outdoors with my husband and forever adventure buddy, Nick, or recharging through creative outlets like weaving, yoga, and refinishing vintage furniture. I share my home with two bonded cats, Winks and Meo, and love diving into fantasy novels—The Kingkiller Chronicle is a favorite. Whether I’m planning a wedding, crafting something by hand, or catching up with a friend over coffee, I’m driven by a love for human connection and the power of creation.

Headshot of Nadia Goforth

Nadia Goforth

(She/Her)
Member
Appointed by: Commission
Term: 7/02/2024 - 7/01/2026

Bio + -

Born and raised in Ohio, Nadia relocated in 2018 when she received the opportunity to serve with AmeriCorps in Walla Walla. She spent a year working to implement trauma-informed school models and provide behavioral intervention for elementary students. After her service, Nadia moved to Seattle and fell in love with everything the city had to offer. Nadia continued to serve youth in various capacities, ranging from leading enrichment programs, supporting national foster care advocacy programs, and providing educational support and case management for teens impacted by foster care.  

As an alumnus of foster care, a survivor of domestic violence, and a person who has experienced homelessness, Nadia knows the frustration of exclusive decision-making. Her lived experience drives her immense passion for public service, policy and transformational change. In 2024, Nadia took this passion to the federal arena, learning from the office of Congresswoman Suzan DelBene before temporarily moving to Washington D.C. to work alongside Congressman Adam Smith and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. She has maintained a love for grassroots mobilization and community organizing and now serves as the Communications & Advocacy Director at the Legal Foundation of Washington here in Seattle, where she heads the statewide Equal Justice Coalition and works to protect civil legal aid.

Headshot of Sonia Hitchcock.

Sonia Hitchcock

(She/Her)
Member
Appointed by: Mayor
Term: 7/2/2025 - 7/1/2027

Bio + -

Sonia’s lifelong passion for animal rights and encounters with extreme weather, habitat destruction, and natural disasters inspired her pursuit of supporting progressive policy advocacy efforts. Shortly after graduating from the University of California, Santa Cruz, she developed an enthusiasm for organizing and joined the team at Washington Conservation Action.

After serving as the Get Engaged member of Seattle Women’s Commission (SWC), Sonia is thrilled to have extended her Commissioner term to continue working alongside SWC’s dedicated team. She is honored to call the Pacific Northwest home, and is committed to advocating for equitable progress to protect the people and places she cares deeply about.

Sonia currently serves as a member of SWC’s Affordable Housing and Gender Based Violence Subcommittees, as well as Board Secretary at Northwest Animal Rights Network, and Policy Volunteer at Humane World for Animals. In her spare time, she loves trying new vegan recipes and restaurants, listening to music, and spending time outdoors with her dog.

Headshot of Sierra Alexis Miles.

Sierra Alexis Miles

(She/Her)
Nominated

Bio + -

Sierra Alexis Miles is a designer, educator, and researcher based in Seattle with a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Design from the University of Washington. Her work explores the relationship between spatial design, social equity, and collective memory, with a focus on housing, education, and public history. She centers on amplifying underrepresented voices in the built environment, particularly through research on civil rights-era architect Benjamin F. McAdoo. Sierra has developed and taught youth design curriculum and has presented her work at forums focused on equity in design and housing.

She has collaborated with organizations such as HomeSight, Habitat for Humanity, the World Wildlife Fund, AIA Seattle’s Diversity Roundtable, NOMA, and Docomomo US/WEWA. With experience across housing, climate justice, technology, the nonprofit sector, and education, she brings a cross-disciplinary lens to systems change. Her advocacy is rooted in hands-on practice and a commitment to making policy and design more responsive to the needs of historically marginalized communities.

Outside of civic engagement, Sierra is a visual artist and marketing manager at Sandbox Studio, a creative space offering production rentals, gallery exhibitions, and workshops for artists and media makers. On the Seattle Women’s Commission, she draws from both her artistic and research backgrounds to address intersectional challenges facing women. Her priorities include expanding access to safe housing, healthcare, and culturally grounded community spaces. Sierra believes lasting equity begins with whose voices are included in city planning, and she is honored to help shape a more just and inclusive Seattle.

Headshot of Elizabeth Perez.

Elizabeth Perez

Nominated

Bio + -

Elizabeth Perez is a dedicated professional with over a decade of extensive experience across federal, state, and local government levels. She is passionate about advancing community health and well-being through strategic engagement, policy development, social marketing, and effective communication.

Drawing on her robust background in healthcare delivery and population health, Elizabeth has successfully spearheaded multi-sector collaborations to address health inequities. Her approach consistently leverages community expertise and cross-sector partnerships to create sustainable systemic change—a practice she aims to continue in service of Seattle's diverse communities.

Elizabeth's academic foundation was laid at Loma Linda University in Southern California, where she completed a multidisciplinary undergraduate education encompassing radiology sciences, health administration, and communications. She further honed her expertise with a graduate degree in public health, specializing in health policy and leadership.

Headshot of Sofia Brown.

Sofia Brown

(She/Her)
Get Engaged Member
Appointed by: Mayor
Term: 9/1/2025 - 8/31/2026

Bio + -

Sofia Brown is a student at the University of Washington, Seattle, studying Political Science and Public Policy. She has experience in social advocacy and leadership, particularly in educating and combating political apathy among high school students. She hopes to pursue a career in public policy and service, and is excited to begin this work through the Women’s Commission.

Sofia is passionate about advancing women’s rights, with a focus on reproductive healthcare and expanding access to housing for underrepresented communities. She values equity, collaboration, and community-driven solutions in addressing systemic challenges.

Outside of academics and advocacy, Sofia enjoys exploring Seattle, spending time outdoors, and reading. She brings her curiosity, commitment, and energy to her role on the Commission.

Headshot of Sirena Styles.

Sirena Styles

(She/Her)
Nominated

Bio + -

Sirena is an innovative leader, stylist, and advocate dedicated to building inclusive pathways for underrepresented communities in business and technology. As the Founder and Executive Director of INCForce+, she leads initiatives that bridge the gap between industry and the transgender community through workforce development, mentorship, and equitable training programs.

With over a decade of experience in leadership development, personal branding, and strategic workforce innovation, Sirena has helped empower individuals and organizations to create systems where everyone can thrive. Her work through UNICON+, a platform uniting communities through inclusive events and technology, reflects her belief that true equity begins with access, visibility, and opportunity.

Originally from Guam, Sirena brings a global and culturally attuned perspective to her work. She serves on the Seattle Women’s Commission, where she advocates for inclusive policy, economic empowerment, and community-centered innovation.

Her guiding principle: “Equity isn’t about fitting in — it’s about reshaping systems so every person has the power to thrive.”

The Seattle Women's Commission advises the Mayor, City Council, and City Departments on issues faced by all women and those most impacted by gender bias, which includes transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people who do not also identify as women.