LWVKSC members voted in a 16-member board at their annual meeting in June. We welcome: Co-Presidents - Kim Albert and Barbara Tengtio; Vice President - Brittany Miles; Co-Treasurers - Carol Levin and Joanna Cullen; Voter Services Director - Julie Sarkissian; Communications Director - Karen Peacey; Secretary - Marie Cooley; and Directors at Large - Sarah Diambri, Patricia Hudson, Barbara Janey, Phillipa Kassover, Stephen Lamphear, Laura Rudert, Murugeshwari Subramanaian and Sarah Beth Miller.

Please take a few minutes to learn a bit about the new board. They have already met once and are eager to be engaged with each other, the membership, and the community to further our mission to empower voters and defend democracy.

Kim Albert. Kim has been a League member for just over three years. She was appointed Program Chair in 2022-2023 and helped produce several forums, then became Director at Large in 2023-2024. Over the past year, Kim has been working to streamline LWVSK by Chairing the Merger and Bylaws teams, while also helping with some of the presidential duties. Kim’s work career started as a Public Finance Instructor at UW where she earned her Ph.D. in Economics. After taking some time off to be with her two young sons, Kim went to work for King County Department of Natural Resources; while there, she implemented and measured the impact of a variety of environmental and conservation programs and also focused on the Department of Natural Resources Finances and Utility rates. Kim’s greatest career growth came at the Port of Seattle where she helped develop the Ports technology strategies, then built a team of highly skilled technology workers to deliver those strategies, retiring as the Director of Technology Delivery. Much of the technologies still in use at SeaTac Airport, Seattle Seaport, and marinas were implemented by her teams. As a retiree, Kim enjoys spending time with her family, playing video games, and travel. Kim is passionate about defending democracy!

Barb Tengtio. After living abroad for 11 years, Barb was eager to reintegrate by educating herself on community issues and priorities and immediately joined LWVSKC in the summer of 2020. She connected with the Mercer Island unit and became an Observer Corps member. Barb became LWVSKC 2nd VP the following year, and has held that role for three years in addition to being co-chair of the LWVSKC Youth Committee since fall 2022. She is also very involved in LWVSKC development, communications, and membership work. She is excited to co-president with Kim and believes LWVSKC will benefit from their complementary strengths and shared commitment to LWVSKC. During her years abroad, she held Board positions in the AWCZ (American Women’s Club of Zurich) and the AWA (American Women’s Association Hong Kong). Most of her work focused on philanthropy. While in Zurich, she organized and led the AWCZ International Women’s Day event for three years. During her time in Hong Kong, she was also on the LWV Hong Kong Board, responsible for Voter Services. Earlier in her life, Barb worked for 20 years in financial services. For fun, Barb paddles with the Seattle Flying Dragon Boat Club.

Brittany Miles. Brittany has been a technology product management professional for 20 years, with tenures at companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, and T-Mobile. As the parent of a teen with early onset schizophrenia, Brittany is a mental health advocate for children and youth. She is also an opinion writer, and has been published in The Seattle Times, PubliCola, Seattle Child, and NAMI blog. Brittany serves on the Regional Crisis Response Agency’s Community Advisory Board, which supports mental health crisis de-escalation. She also sat on the technology subcommittee for the Washington State Legislature’s HB1477 implementation of the national 9-8-8 suicide prevention hotline and connection to care. She and her daughter live in Bothell with their feisty pet chihuahua, Teddy.

Joanna Cullen. Joanna is currently LWVSKC Education Fund Treasurer. She is the longstanding chair of the education committee and also a past LWVWA Treasurer. Professionally, she worked as a writer, editor, manager, and field manager for political campaigns, and coordinated nonprofit efforts in the community. She continues to be active in her local neighborhood and community organizations and causes in Seattle’s Central Area where she and her husband raised their two daughters and enjoy gardening. Literature, yoga, hiking, and performing arts are among her interests. Supporting the League as a strong voice in voter education and rights with its dedication to rigorously researched studies and positions on issues as a way to make a difference is important to her.

Carol Levin. Dr. Carol Levin, both an agricultural and health economist, is an associate professor in the Department of Global Health at the University of Washington. In addition to her teaching responsibilities (Global Health Economics), her research generates evidence on the costs and cost-effectiveness of introducing and scaling up health and multisectoral interventions to improve maternal and child health and nutrition. She is currently the Director of the BMGF funded project, ‘Strengthening Economic Evaluation of Multisectoral Strategies for Nutrition (SEEMS-Nutrition)’. From 2016 to 2019, she directed the Global Health Cost Consortium to generate improved estimates of costs for HIV and TB for use in planning, budgeting, and economic evaluation. Previously, she provided technical guidance and coordinated the economic analysis for the Disease Control Priorities Third Edition—a nine-volume series aimed at strengthening evidence-based priority setting in health and nutrition. She also conducts research on the intersection between agriculture, food systems, and health and nutrition outcomes. Before joining University of Washington in 2013, she spent 12 years as a senior health economist at PATH, an international non-profit in global health based in Seattle. She is a graduate from University of Colorado with a BA in South Asian Studies, and received graduate degrees from the University of California and Cornell University.

Sarah Diambri. Sarah was born in Bellingham, Washington before moving to Gig Harbor, and ultimately attending Montana State University. She volunteered at the Voice Center where she helped young women seek out help after traumatic experiences; this training developed a passion for psychology and mental health. After a few years there, Sarah moved to Oregon and helped local campaigns grow and find funding; she also became a strong advocate for voting rights and ensuring all voices are heard. Sarah volunteered and worked at two major children’s services in the city: a shelter for homeless youth who struggle with addiction and other mental health disorders, and a state-funded program helping youth find their way back to normalcy after time in juvenile detention. In the last two years, Sarah made her way to Seattle, and is looking for her next passion to explore.

Patricia Hudson. Patricia is a 30-year Burien City resident and mother of two adult sons. She spent 25 years as a human resources professional, and has worked in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors with experience in retail, union, healthcare, airline, and human services industries. After completing her graduate degree, Patricia spent 15 years as an adjunct university professor teaching business administration and ethics courses with the desire to develop and mentor students while working full time in HR. Over the last few decades, she has been a PCO, served on several nonprofit boards, served the unhoused, and ran for Burien City Council. Patricia brings lived experience and an opportunity to share her history with those whom are often overlooked and unseen. It is her desire to educate and create awareness within her community to make better informed decisions for our future. As a child, Patricia's family taught her the importance of being the change you wish to see in the world. Positive change is what she wishes to bring as a member of the League of Women Voters. "Thank you for the opportunity to serve as a board member."

Barbara Janey. As a New Yorker, Barbara's life was surrounded by an artistry of words, music, and dance. She is a proud product of the NYC Public School system and New York City itself, where learning opportunities were prevalent outside of school. Constant exposures to inequalities during her own life and career selection process were reflections that were whirling in her head when she entered college to focus on special education. The east coast and Europe were her home for most of her professional life, where her education provided opportunities to work and excel in Fortune 500 venues in various industries that included product marketing, financial investments technology, story board creation, and work with a state accreditation board to ensure that a minority community college was able to retain its accreditation. College helped Barbara to identify the infrastructure that is needed to be a successful advocate for education change. She looks forward to utilizing her professional expertise as a proactive member of the Seattle community to make a difference one step at a time. She thanks LWVSKC for this extraordinary opportunity.

Phillippa Kassover. After attending the London School of Economics, Phillippa arrived in the US in 1972 for a practicum with mental health centers in Colorado. She married and graduated from the University of Coloradod, Colorado Springs, with degrees in Political Science and Sociology. Her first jobs were in broadcast journalism covering government. Later, she worked as a press officer for the University of Colorado and then for the Annual Meeting 2024 15 G TOP in development for Colorado College. In 2004, Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology recruited her as director of development to ensure that doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows could attend world-renowned conferences. University of Washington then engaged Phillippa as a Senior Director of Development. After she retired from UW in 2013, she served on Lake Forest Park City Council, was elected deputy mayor, and later served as vice-chair of the council until retiring in 2023. Phillippa served on regional boards including transportation planning, solid-waste and recycling, human services, land use, and environmental policy, and currently serves on the UW Retiree Association Legislation and Benefits Committee. Ensuring that every citizen has the right to vote with access to important and correct information is her priority. She and her husband Ken reside in Lake Forest Park.

Stephen Lamphear. Stephen is a veteran independent tax consultant and advisor with over 45 years serving a broad-spectrum clientele. He honed his tax skills at two of Seattle’s top law firms, specializing in federal and state and local taxation. Stephen also provides routine estate administration and executor services. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Washington (Public Policy) and has worked in legislative, legal, and regulatory affairs for both public and private sectors. He serves the community as an advisor, volunteer, and board member of local nonprofits, and shares his passion for gardening as founder of the Highline Botanical Garden in SeaTac. His personal garden won the First Prize trip to London in the Pacific Gardens Contest, and for 10 years he was the designated plant-whisperer at area garden groups.

Karen Peacey. Karen is retired; her prior work experience was in the accounting field, though she spent time as a lobbyist, and served as President of a nonprofit association. Karen's husband retired in August 2022; together, they have two beautiful daughters, a son-in-law, and one amazing granddaughter who is the light of their life. Karen's passion is criminal justice reform and in her free time, she loves to grow herbs and bake.

Laura Rudert. Laura has two decades of experience leading global economic development and poverty reduction programs. Formerly Deputy Director of Strategy and Management of Global Policy and Advocacy at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, she also served as a Senior Executive in the US Government. In 2012, the Diplomatic Courier Magazine recognized her as one of the top 99 foreign policy professionals under 33. During her 14-year tenure at the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Laura held various roles, including Resident Country Director in Cote d’Ivoire where she collaborated with the Prime Minister to implement a $545 million infrastructure and reform program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her contributions also include supporting the White House National Security Council on Power Africa and Partnerships for Growth. Laura collaborated with the Prime Ministers of Senegal and Lesotho in the design of critical energy investments, and health systems strengthening and enabling environment reforms for private investment. As Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Laura was responsible for evaluating a global portfolio of $3 billion investments. Before joining MCC, Laura managed Counterpart International’s food security programming in Africa. Laura holds a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, where she helped teach a graduate course on the Politics of Development Policy and was a researcher for the OECD and Mo Ibrahim Foundation on governance in Africa. She has lectured at the University of Washington on social entrepreneurship, and holds a B.A. in Political Science from New College of Florida. Laura is fluent in Spanish and speaks French.

Julie Sarkissian. Julie has been active in LWV since 2016, and has volunteered in voter services work at community agencies, events, and schools, and has trained and organized new members since then. She was co-chair of the Mercer Island unit for two years and helped organize local candidate forums, along with participating in committee work that culminated in forums. On the Board of LWVWA, Julie led the DEI portfolio, chaired the Voter Services Committee, and was a member of a MELD Pod. She is currently serving on the LWVWA Nominating Committee and Debate Committee for statewide offices. Julie retired from a career in public health as an administrator/manager, and has volunteered with, and served on, the boards of a variety of nonprofits. She is married with one adult son, and enjoys travel, cooking, and gardening. Julie is truly inspired by the 100+-year history of the LWV. "Our core work is important to a properly functioning democracy and government. We are challenged to move into the future, with younger, diverse members, and new communication strategies. I hope to contribute to meeting these challenges by continuing as chair of the LWVSKC Voter Services."

Murugeshwari Subramanaian. Murugeshwari is a dedicated professional with a diverse background in technology and community engagement. With four years of experience as a QA Automation Engineer, followed by another four years as a Product Manager, Murugeshwari brings a unique blend of technical expertise and leadership skills to the role. She is passionate about leveraging her talents to drive positive change in her community. Murugeshwari has contributed her time and skills to various nonprofit organizations as a Product Manager, aligning her work with her values of social justice and civic empowerment. Now, she is honored to be nominated as a Board Director for the League of Women Voters Seattle, where she hopes to further her commitment to empowering voters and defending democracy.

Marie Cooley. is a third generation Washingtonian, living her entire life in the Seattle area. She attended Central Washington State College, and has a BA degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising. Most of her work experience was design-related, including theater costuming and design, custom dressmaking, and corsetry. For the past 25 years, Marie has owned and operated her custom corsetry business – The Fitting Room. Marie is currently transitioning from working full time to retirement – only to discover that she doesn’t like retirement, and will continue to create custom garments and teach as long as her hands can hold out. Volunteer work includes serving on the boards of several costuming and historical recreation organizations. Marie’s home is in the Wallingford neighborhood where she lives with her husband and cat. Someday, she might be encouraged to tell the story of her first trip to vote in 1972 - and how she was struck by lightning in the polling booth...

Sarah Beth Miller. Sarah Beth Miller served for two years as Unit Coordinator and is volunteering for another year. She grew up in Raleigh, NC, where her mother was a League member, and her father was a professor at North Carolina State University. Sarah Beth's parents were progressive and involved in local issues, especially those that supported education and healthy environments for children. Her parents were involved in the Civil Rights movement in North Carolina in the 1960s and, as a child, Sarah Beth joined them in many demonstrations, marches, and other activities in support of Civil Rights. Her academic background is in psychology, and she has always been interested in the psychology of learning; Sarah Beth pursued a degree in Special Education and taught in both North Carolina, and later, in Washington. With her husband Craig, they came out to Seattle when they were 25 years old, and have gradually morphed into Northwesterners. While Sarah Beth taught, Craig pursued a degree in Architecture at the University of Washington. Once he graduated, Sarah Beth went back to school; she received a M.Ed. In Educational Psychology at UW and has been a school psychologist in Bellevue for the past 25 years.