Community Advisory Team (CAT)

Adam Dibba serves as the Executive Director of Africans on the Eastside (AOE), a grassroots organization that actively addresses the impacts of institutional racism and racial inequity, particularly on the east side of Seattle.

Adam is a Muslim woman and mother of three from The Republic of Gambia in West Africa. She has spent decades advocating for the forgotten voices in her community, and she believes her life experience and perspectives matter and should be taken into account, especially to inform policymaking and how communities are served.

As Executive Director of AOE, Adam advocates for institutional and social structures to improve the overall wellbeing and success of Black scholars and families while mobilizing community allies to highlight the critical needs of some of our most vulnerable neighbors, particularly African immigrants, their families, and English language learners. AOE is dedicated to fostering respect for the diverse languages and cultures within our communities, ensuring everyone feels valued and included.

Angela Bazan is a dedicated Latina community leader making waves in Yakima through her transformative work with homeless youth and mental health advocacy. Drawing from years of hands-on experience in these critical fields, Angela brings deep understanding and compassion to addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges.
As a champion for positive change, Angela believes in the power of personal narratives and diverse voices to reshape systems from within, which inspired her to join the CAT where she can further this mission. Her leadership style, grounded in empathy and cultural awareness, exemplifies how passionate individuals can catalyze meaningful change in their communities.
Through her ongoing commitment to mental health services and youth empowerment, Angela demonstrates that the most effective community transformation starts with understanding each person’s unique journey and creating inclusive solutions that lead with love.

Angelica Saldivar has cultivated 17 years of dedicated service as a public servant in local and regional government by managing and administering federal, state and foundation funding. Angelica’s primary areas of focus are housing, law enforcement and safety initiatives.

Throughout Angelica’s career she has built robust partnerships, coordinated resources and spearheaded initiatives to address the unique needs of each community she has worked for. Angelica’s passion for making a positive impact led her to join the CAT, where she’s committed to increasing attainable housing options and programs in Yakima County. Housing is a fundamental need, and Angelica is dedicated to being part of the solution.

Cheyonna Lewis identifies as a disabled, formerly homeless, divorced, Black woman and advocate for her community. Cheyonna has overcome many hardships, including domestic violence, rape and molestation.

Cheyonna channels her strength and empathy into her work as a community advocate and volunteer, and she is a proud mother of three sons, ages 24, 22 and 10 years old.

Through advocacy for families with special needs, unhoused individuals and community issues, Cheyonna utilizes her voice and all of her abilities to create the change necessary for collective growth.

Curtis Rodgers was formerly incarcerated for thirty-one years, having returned to his community from incarceration in December 2020. Curtis shares his experience and guides others reentering society from incarceration in his role as a Reentry Navigator with The Foundation, based in Vancouver, Washington.

Curtis looks forward to helping others in his community by sharing his lived experience as a member of the CAT.

Darian Sheldon is a dedicated Human Services Program Manager at Pacific County Health and Human Services, where she manages the county’s housing grants and oversees the homeless response system. Darian’s career in human services began with a focus on youth homelessness, serving as the Youth Homelessness Liaison for the Orange Region as part of the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project. This pivotal experience ignited her passion for advocating for those in need of stable housing and equitable services.

A proud Pacific County native, Darian is deeply committed to her community. After graduating from Washington State University, she returned to the area to serve and support the county that shaped her.

Darian is currently excited to serve as a member of the CAT, where she looks forward to collaborating with others to advocate for policies that better serve rural communities and historically underserved individuals. Her work continues to reflect her unwavering dedication to improving lives through access to housing, support services and community empowerment.

Faaluaina Pritchard brings over 35 years of nonprofit management and community development experience to her role with the CAT. Faaluaina has been the Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Cultural Center since May 2010, where she has been serving her community since 1997.

Community work has been central for Faaluaina as she has fulfilled roles as the Chair of the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition of Pierce County and an advisory board member to South Sound Housing Affordability Partners, Multicare Community Advisory Council, ARCORA Fluoridation Advisory Board, Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium Board, Pierce County Arts & Culture Coalition, United Way of Pierce County Board, Tacoma Urban League Board, Statewide Communities of Concern Commission, Governor Council on Environmental Justice, and Pierce County Arts & City of Lakewood Arts Commission.

As a proud mom, grandma, and great-grandma, Faaluaina looks forward to helping others, taking pride and joy in being a part of community development.

Frank Martinez Jr. is a results-driven management professional with over 20 years of experience across diverse industries. Frank currently serves as the Support Services Associate Director at Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) of Washington. His expertise spans operations management, team building, organizational development and production strategy. His prior experience includes various leadership positions in private sector contract operations, federal logistic and operations resource management in the U.S. Army, and case management for veterans and their families.

Frank’s extensive military background as a Senior Drill Sergeant Leader and Multiple Joint Operations Manager highlights his commitment to excellence, discipline and service. Frank holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Clinical Services & Medicine from the University of Washington and numerous certifications in fields ranging from building performance analysis to paramedics.

As a veteran, Frank is committed to creating impactful programs, developing professional talent and contributing to the success of individuals and organizations.

Ganesha Gold Buffalo identifies as a disabled, Black Indigenous cultural healer, ceremonialist and matriarch of mixed ancestry. She is an educator, national organizer, transdisciplinary performance and audiovisual artist, and community organization contractor.

Ganesha’s work is rooted in radical care and hospitality, guided by an ancestral calling to ignite a collective hunger for reintegration from displacement and ethnocide. Her advocacy spans abolition of colonial and neocolonial systems, sex worker rights, food and land sovereignty, environmental justice, youth protections, community-led security and safety initiatives, and equitable resource building and redistribution through ancestral communion.

Heather Sheppard identifies as a multiracial, cis woman in recovery and social worker from Vancouver, Washington. She is currently employed as the Equity and Collaborative Impact Project Manager at Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health (SWACH) in Vancouver, where she pursues policy reform and increasing systemic access for communities most impacted and underinvested in. She is a Portland State University Master’s in Social Work alumna and a graduate of the first Vancouver Community Leadership Institute cohort.

Heather has come into the field with varied lenses of lived experience and social identities, which drives her passion for change and empathy for those navigating their own struggles and barriers. Heather is honored to serve on the CAT alongside fellow advocates with the passion and drive to facilitate change for our communities and beyond. She centers community at the core of her work and is committed to amplifying community voices to advocate for equitable policy change.

Outside of Heather’s passion for social justice, she enjoys the outdoors, being in community, traveling, eating delicious food and fitness. She has three children, one anxiously energetic pit bull and two twin kitties.

Ismail Mohammad is a small business owner and real estate developer with over 35 years of experience. Over the past five years, Ismail has added several units to his existing rental properties by utilizing infill land. Ismail is passionate about developing affordable housing and tapping into the potential of underutilized land.

Ismail came to the United States of America as a high school graduate, later earning his Associate Degree from Edmonds College and Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Washington. In 2019, he completed a certificate program in commercial real estate from the University of Washington.

Ismail’s goal is to be part of the change he wants to see. He is actively involved with the planning commission and City Council of Everett and welcomes opportunities to share his experience with others interested in real estate. Ismail has several projects underway and aims to create 150 affordable housing units by 2030.

Kathryn Witherington serves as the Executive Director of Common Roots Housing Trust, the first community land trust in Southeast Washington. A proud resident of the Walla Walla Valley for the past nine years, Kathryn has dedicated her career to working with public and nonprofit organizations addressing housing-related challenges.

Through her personal and professional experiences, Kathryn has gained deep insight into the barriers rural communities face in providing safe, affordable housing. She is passionate about finding innovative solutions and securing the resources needed to address the housing crisis across Washington. She is honored to contribute to the CAT efforts to create lasting change.

Pavel Parfilo is a first-generation Slavic immigrant, having moved to the United States of America when he was two years old. Pavel, a military veteran, is the Affordable Housing Program Manager for Spokane County.

Growing up in a diverse, low-income neighborhood near Grant Elementary on the lower South Hill of Spokane, Pavel looks forward to applying his lived experiences to make a difference in his local community and finding innovative solutions for affordable housing.

Vivian Rogers Decker has spent over 30 years in education serving students and families experiencing trauma, poverty and housing insecurity. Currently she serves as the Homeless Student Stability Education Program Supervisor for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Prior to joining OSPI, Vivian spent 20 years as a homeless liaison and student support specialist between two school districts in Island County where she developed and implemented strong homeless education programs. In addition to her work in education, Vivian has been instrumental in the founding and leadership of many nonprofit organizations and efforts related to meeting the needs of our most vulnerable populations.

Vivian is dedicated to creating inclusive communities and organizations that are responsive to the needs of all citizens, especially those struggling with issues related to isolation, economic hardship and homelessness.

In her spare time, she enjoys being with family and friends, traveling, coaching, designing programs and places, connecting with others, and learning new ideas that challenge her to become a better human.

Wanjiku Kahacho is a dedicated advocate for equitable housing and community development. With experience in community engagement, project management, and policy advocacy, they have worked on initiatives that expand access to housing resources and address systemic barriers in underserved communities. Their work centers on creating sustainable solutions that empower individuals and families while fostering long-term economic stability. As a member of the Community Advisory Board, Wanjiku brings a strategic mindset, a commitment to equity, and a passion for collaborative problem-solving to drive impactful change in housing and community well-being.

William (Will) Booth is originally from the island of Metlakatla, Alaska. He is Raven Clan of the Gitlaan, of the Ts’msyn Nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska. Will brings more than 30 years of experience in leadership, operations, program development, training and program management to the Community Advisory Team. He currently serves as the Executive Director for Creating Pathways, a local nonprofit organization working within Native, Veteran, Elder and Two Spirit/LGBTQIA+ communities.

During his military career, Will served in Operation Desert Storm and Sheild, as well as on a Special Duty Assignment to The Pentagon. Will cites his service in the military as providing him with the opportunity to adapt to cultures different from his own. He applies that knowledge to his work on advisory boards, including ANTHC Advisory Council and Joint American Indian Veterans Advisory Council (JAIVAC), and is a Governor’s Challenge member for suicide prevention.

In his downtime, Will enjoys cross-country motorcycle road trips and has completed numerous rides. Will remains passionate in his studies of his Native culture, language and history.