Board of Directors & Advisory Council

Michelle Flowers-Taylor, Ed.D., is an award-winning impact media maker whose mission is to leverage the powerful intersection of media and social justice to help achieve equity and economic empowerment for people from underserved populations. Dr. Flowers-Taylor has also fought long and hard for the empowerment of women and girls of color. She completed her doctoral research on the strategies that academically high achieving African American female college students developed to be successful. She parlayed her dissertation research at Loyola Marymount University into practical application by raising $1.1 million to launch the Institute of Engineering Community and Cultural Competence (IEC3) at the University of Southern California’s (USC) Viterbi School of Engineering.

Julia Montagnet serves as the Treasurer of the Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund, bringing a wealth of financial expertise and a passion for empowering young women through education. With a strong background in financial management, Julia currently holds the role of Finance Manager at Camp Solomon Schechter, where she oversees budgeting, financial reporting, and strategic planning. Her dedication to fiscal responsibility and her commitment to supporting meaningful causes make her an invaluable asset to our organization. Julia’s leadership ensures that the Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund continues to thrive, enabling us to provide life-changing opportunities for young women pursuing higher education.

Sonya Sanders is a 33 year State of Washington employee. She has worked with juveniles and adults in the criminal justice system, mental and behavioral health clients and disabled and elderly clients in long term care. She is an active member of First AME Church of Seattle and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Sonya holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Sociology from Prairie View A & M University. She is currently working on a doctorate degree in Strategic leadership from Liberty University. Sonya is married and has one son.

Anne Rung is a nationally recognized government and technology leader with over three decades of experience modernizing government operations, fostering innovation, and building inclusive partnerships that uplift communities. Anne’s passion for public service and education began as the daughter and granddaughter of teachers and remained central to her more than twenty years in government, including serving under Former President Barack Obama as the U.S. Chief Acquisition Officer, a Senate confirmed position. She transitioned to the technology sector in 2016, where she held executive roles at Amazon and Varis, a software company, helping drive digital transformation for education, government and nonprofit customers. In 2023, she completed a two year appointment on a government advisory board focused on fostering sustainability in acquisitions.

A sought-after speaker and advisor, Anne has testified before Congress, presented to corporate boards, and served as keynote speaker before industry and government audiences. Anne holds an MSc in West European Politics from the London School of Economics and a BA in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University.

Cathryne Jordan is a dedicated advocate for equity and inclusion in education, bringing a wealth of expertise to her role as a Board Member of the Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund. Currently serving as the Assistant Director of the Office of Inclusive Excellence at the University of Washington College of Engineering, Cathryne works tirelessly to foster diversity and create opportunities for underrepresented communities in STEM fields. She is also a doctoral candidate at the University of Washington, focusing on Education, Policy, and Leadership, where her research and passion for equitable access to education align seamlessly with the mission of the scholarship fund. Cathryne’s commitment to empowering young women and her visionary leadership make her an invaluable asset to our organization as we work to create a brighter future for the next generation of leaders.

Isac Goiea has over 15 years of experience in finance. He has dedicated his career to fostering financial growth and community engagement. A proud Washington state native, he is passionate about giving back and actively volunteering in his local communities. Isac had the privilege of serving on various boards and business groups that focus on supporting the LGBTQ community, working to create inclusive spaces and opportunities for all.

Dr. Kevin Christ is a distinguished leader renowned for his expertise in leadership development, organizational transformation, and his dedication to community service. His leadership philosophy is rooted in empowering and inspiring individuals, particularly women to realize their potential and transform their ambitious visions into impactful realities. Dr. Christ excels in uniting people and organizations to raise funds and achieve the impossibly. His humanitarian contributions have had a global impact, including facilitating partnerships with the Clean Water Foundation and Airline Ambassadors International to deliver life-saving aid and clean water solutions to disaster-stricken regions worldwide. Dr. Christ is an accomplished public speaker inspiring audiences through skills he honed as a member Toastmasters International, where he achieved the prestigious Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) recognition. He holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Doctor of Health Administration (DHA), Education Specialist (EDS), and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Lindsay Anderson is an experienced executive in the aerospace industry, specializing in operational excellence and strategy. His passion for leadership extends to not-for-profit organizations striving to help strengthen diverse communities. In 2017, Lindsay retired from The Boeing Company after 32 years of service, most recently as Vice President Quality in the Commercial Airplanes Division. His career shifted to the founding team of Radia, Inc., a Boulder based aerospace start-up. He has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Montana State University, an MBA from Vanderbilt University and M.S degrees in Materials Engineering and Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Seattle Theatre Group and the Engineering Advisory Board at MSU.

Marcia Drake is a global changemaker recognized for transforming data into real-world solutions. With over two decades of award-winning leadership in data and IT, she was named ‘Data Leader of the Year 2022’ by Women in Data and listed among CDO Magazine’s ‘Global Data Power Women 2023.’

Her expertise spans social services, traffic safety, law enforcement, and healthcare. She is CEO of Ecoheart Coaching and Consulting. Marcia is passionate about empowering women through transformational leadership, helping them to magnify their brilliance in the fullness of their potential. Marcia is a graduate of Oxford University’s AI Programme. Her academic background in Anthropology also inspires her passion for engaging with diverse cultures and listening to the stories they share.

Patricia Burgess is a Seattle native and nonprofit leader with expertise in operational processes, policy and procedure development, workplace culture, and organizational flow. In her role as Chief of Staff, she focuses on building systems that support mission-driven work and strengthen organizational effectiveness. Patricia is deeply committed to public service, with aspirations of shaping public policy that dismantles systemic barriers and expands access to transformative services for Black and Brown communities. Her work is grounded in a vision of equity, empowerment, and lasting impact.

Ron Cheatham is a global HR executive and inclusive leadership champion with more than 25 years of experience building equitable workplaces and leading diverse, high-performing teams across international and domestic settings. He has held leadership roles at two higher education institutions and holds master’s degrees in Human Resource Management and Strategy. Ron’s commitment to inclusive talent development has earned him two international awards and recognition for fostering environments where all individuals can thrive.

Saada Hilts is a dedicated professional with over 13 years of experience in direct services, committed to advancing equity and compassion in every facet of her work. She is passionate about addressing the needs of underserved communities by expanding access to education, fostering transformative healing, and promoting long-term self-sufficiency. Guided by a human-centered approach rooted in empathy and connection, Saada leads with collaboration and strategy to develop sustainable solutions that uplift individuals and strengthen communities from within.

Uma Boddeti is a seasoned engineering and product executive in the technology industry. She has been a Washington state resident for 25+ years and is passionate about empowering women in technology. As a mentee for other women she has experienced first hand the transformative impact of guidance and encouragement. Beyond her professional pursuits, Uma actively invests in startups, reflecting her passion for technology and entrepreneurship. Her commitment to inclusive and flexible work environments exemplifies her leadership in balancing technological advancement with human-centric management. She has a B.S in Computer Science and Systems Engineering and M.S degree in Computer Science.