2023 Lens of Equity Summit

Ronaldo Hardy MSHRLD, CUDE, CUERME is Chief People Officer and Co-Owner of CU Strategic Planning. He leads its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Accessibility services, which include the full range of DEIBA assessments, training and consulting. As CEO of Southwest Louisiana FCU, he put DEIBA practices into action, developing a powerful and successful executive team, and now draws on that experience in CU Strategic Planning’s DEIBA consulting and certification services. He’s a highly sought-after speaker on DEIBA, having presented to CUNA Management School, CUES, and the NCUA’s Inaugural Diversity Summit to name just a few.
www.custrategicplanning.com/people/ronaldo-hardy

About CU Strategic Planning
CU Strategic Planning unlocks opportunities for credit unions to change lives and their communities, while increasing loan growth and yield, ROA and net worth. Its 15 years of expert consulting includes securing and managing compliance for over $770 million in US Treasury award funding and CDFI grants. Its strategic planning and community summits create double bottom line impacts without grant funding. Many credit unions with industry leading ROA have certified staff with its HERO Financial Counseling. Working with some of the America’s most successful credit unions, its executive recruiting places candidates that care about and can achieve double bottom line results.

Jahmad Canley has an endless dedication to empowerment and education for all people. He is internationally known as a top level culture transformation consultant, peak performance coach, author and masterful story teller. Jahmad focuses on helping people and organizations accomplish their goals and fulfill their potential in their personal, professional, and organizational lives. His passion for helping others unleash their potential has provided him the privilege of working with top organizations such as Microsoft, Amazon, Western Union, LA Phil Harmonic Symphony, USA Swimming and many more.

Getting his start in organization development over 18 years ago, Jahmad has assisted numerous organizations across multiple industries in their quest to create better and more effective cultures. Jahmad’s passion for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work started when he entered Washington State University through the Future Teachers of Color Program and continued when he helped create several equity programs for the College Success Foundation including the HERO Program (designed to assist High School aged African American, Latino, and Indigenous males gain access to higher education). Now private and public organizations around the world utilize Jahmad’s unique experiences and ability to transfer Cognitive Science and Culture Transformation processes to improve success rates and remove barriers in creating cultures of equity and belonging.

Jahmad currently works in the United States, Canada, The Bahamas, Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica, Kenya, South Africa, and Japan. His work spans non-profits, corporations, education, and government.

Jahmad’s ability to combine his energy and passion with a sense of humor and innate sincerity enables him to connect with a wide range of audiences and empower them to achieve the growth and change they earnestly desire. So whether it’s a group of executives, non-profit boards, staff or faculty, transformation is the result.

“I have learned that most people all over the world want the same thing…a better world for themselves, their families, and their communities. What keeps us trapped is often the lack of knowledge or the lack of a process. I believe that to truly serve others, we must provide them with both a process and knowledge. The hour is late, the time is short, the task is great and we have a lot of work to do.” – Jahmad Canley

In addition to his work, Jahmad is dedicated to his family and community. He sits on several local boards and you’ll often find his wife, and 4 children traveling alongside him in support at various events. Jahmad is a dividend of Tacoma Public Schools and in addition to currently being a parent he is also the founder of the Tacoma Gents program. Tacoma Gents works with young men of color in the 3rd to 5th grades teaching L.I.F.E. (leadership, image/integrity, financial literacy, and etiquette) skills. The program continues to thrive in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools.

Katie has spent the last 15 years working to strengthen education and workforce systems and practices at local, state, and national levels. She is the CEO for WorkForce Central, Pierce County’s local workforce development board that aligns the needs of employers and workers to build a robust talent pipeline into quality jobs and ensure economic vitality for all residents in the south Puget Sound. Prior to this role, Katie served as the Executive Director at Better Together Central Oregon, an organization working across sectors and communities to ensure equitable education and workforce opportunities for young people. She received her MA in Sociology from the University of Notre Dame and her BA in Sociology and Theatre from the University of Puget Sound. 

Ricardo is a people and systems thinker who moves silently, but decisively to bridge the gap between the underrepresented and marginalized and entities with the power and financial leverage to enact reform and transformation in those communities. In addition to serving as a Customer Services Senior Manager at Tacoma Public Utilities, Ricardo is also a youth, collegiate, and master Track & Field Coach, owner and CEO of Acceleration Track Club LLC, an 8-year combat veteran of the U.S. Army where he served as an infantry officer, an angel investor for minority businesses, and a husband and father of two.

Dr. Tafona Ervin is a dedicated advocate for equitable education with more than 15 years of service in education and several years of experience leading transformation work in a place-based community setting. Dr. Ervin lends a level of strategic visioning and action that resonates with both decision-makers, as well as the often overlooked and under-valued voices and experiences of stakeholders impacted by decisions.

Dr. Ervin has a proven track record of successfully applying promising practices locally. Serving as the Executive Director for the Foundation for Tacoma Students, Dr. Ervin partners with more than 350 community partners that make up a coalition of advocates aligning to a shared vision and community-built goal that supports Tacoma’s youngest residents in achieving success from cradle to college and career.

She has become a champion in her community advocating for early learning, STEAM education and training for under-represented populations, served on a statewide equity taskforce, a member of or the WA State Kaiser Permanente Community Advisory Board, Child Care Resources of Pierce and King Counties board of directors, Goodwill of the Olympic and Rainier Regions, UWTs’ Milgard School of Business, Accounting Advisory Board Member, named the Golden Apple winner for equity in education, one of the Puget Sound’s 40 Under 40 and recently acknowledge by the national StriveTogether platform, as well as our very own Tacoma Urban League, as a champion for children. Dr. Ervin has earned a bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree from Washington State University, whereby educational policy and leadership has been her focus.

Dr. Ervin believes that when children succeed in school and life, the benefits for the broader community are great. Furthermore, when a city is able to rely on the skills and talents of its citizens, everyone thrives.

Dr. Ervin is supported by her husband, an assistant principal in Clover Park School District, two young sons – currently enrolled in public education – and a four-year old baby girl. Dr. Ervin is a product of the community in which she lives, works, and plays. Having grown up impacted by poverty, the first in her immediate family to graduate high school, go onto college and obtain both an undergraduate and graduate degree, Dr. Ervin holds center that the possibilities education can provide are endless.

As the second-generation owner of Korsmo Construction, John Korsmo, Jr. has been leading the firm since 1986. He is involved in all aspects of the business and provides overall guidance and leadership to the entire team. John is passionate about building strong communities. He is heavily involved in the South Sound region, serving various nonprofit organizations, boards, and committees. He instills this passion in Korsmo’s company culture. Employees are dedicated to supporting local causes through outreach and volunteer efforts that foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in their communities.

Krista Perez’s work is anchored by anti-racist, equitable and community-centered engagement. This perspective is afforded to her by way of Krista’s identity as a second generation immigrant and descendant of a migrant working family. These experiences have influenced her commitment to community building, 1:1 executive leadership coaching with a DEAI lens, and facilitating anti racist and equity focused conversations, spaces and training.

Krista is a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory, has a BA in Law, Economics and Public Policy and is the president and founder of the nonprofit organization, the Tacoma Women of Color Collective, is the co-founder of The Community Market, (a People of Color-centered market that promotes community engagement, economic development and mobility), and Perez Consulting, an anti racism and diversity, equity, access and inclusion firm.

Drea Baines (she/her) is a business consultant dedicated to the economic equity and empowerment of Afro-Americans.

Since 2010 Drea has strategized and developed plans for start-ups and growing enterprises. By 2021, she has shifted her mission to provide direct support to Black-owned enterprises seeking resources and capital.

Drea is now the Founding CEO of BLINC, a firm that helps launch and grow Black Tech companies. Her experience in the private, public and nonprofit sectors drove the company’s vision for a hub that intersects community, economy, and leadership to grow Black wealth.

Drea has worked with notable institutions as well as dynamic small businesses throughout the Puget Sound area and, more recently, the US. Advocacy is always at the heart of her efforts and has long been sustained through various community partnerships and projects. Drea’s portfolio consists of 96% Black-owned businesses, whom she’s bridged with larger private/public entities to ensure they’re connected to, and supported by, a robust economy. Some of her most notable collaborations include Craft3, the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber, and the X-Factor Partners.

Drea currently serves on the Board of the Pleneurethics Society to empower students seeking higher education. She is also an American Leadership Forum Fellow, Class 28, and has served on the Board of Directors for Y.W.C.A. Pierce County, Tabor 100, Network of Women, and Good Shepherd Youth Outreach. In 2018 South Sound Magazine named Drea one of Puget Sound’s Top 40 Under 40 business leaders. She has spoken at Seattle Central College, the University of Washington, and various business and community events throughout the area.

Drea is the wife of former Tacoma Metro Parks Commissioner and CEO of HULK Construction, Jessie Baines. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with loved ones, learning new things, being outdoors, and having adventures with their son.

• www.blincbiz.com 
• drea@blincbiz.com   

Michael Jordan works as the Business Operations Specialist for Tacoma Pierce County Black Collective. This role supports the Pierce County Hub and Spoke program, which works with Community Organizations to reach support and sustain BIPOC businesses. Michael is able to focus on Black Owned businesses in Pierce County. Through one-on-one meetings, community events like “Collective Development” and upcoming work with the PCCETF Small Business Voice Group. Michael brings his degree in Politics Philosophy and Economics combined with Scrum Project Management Principles, and Systems Thinking, analysis to the world of D.E.A.I.

Terryl has over 30 years of experience related to equity and social justice. Specifically, he specializes in examining the intersectionality of race, changing demographics, emerging trends, higher education, and new media. He is currently the vice-president of antiracism, equity and Inclusion at the Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region..

Terryl completed his Ph.D. in Educational and Communications Technology at the University of Washington. His dissertation topic was, “MOSAIC: The Case Study of a Diversity-based, E-learning Community.” He received his MA from Syracuse University in Public Relations and he majored in Government at Eastern Washington University.

Dr. Ross has been the founder and director of Mosaic Nation, an Assistant Dean at the University of Washington, Director of Community and Diversity at Oregon State University, the Regional Affairs Manager at the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, AmeriCorps Director, and a Military Intelligence officer for the US Army.

He has worked and volunteered in a variety of settings. He has been a: college student body president, DJ, head football coach, documentary filmmaker, soldier, professor, and leader in local and national campaigns. He has been awarded the Newcomer-of-the-Year by the Seattle Chapter of Public Relations Society of America, Volunteer-of-the-Year by the UW Alumni Association and the UW Distinguished Alumni Award. He has also been featured in the Seattle Times for his commitment to social justice. Terryl is a Senior Fellow of the Oregon American Leadership Forum, Class 21. Dr. Ross is a 2019 recipient of the UW Multicultural Alumni Partnership Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2020 winner of the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA) Gloria Hobson Nordin Social Equity Award. He is a co-founder of https://www.diversecinemadb.com.

He believes the 21st century will be a time of scarcity and reduction, resulting in a struggle between those who want to bring people together and those who want to divide people. Terryl believes people are ready to come together in a new way to build learning communities and to proactively make social justice a priority in America. He is completing his first book, “The Rise of the Others and the Quest for Power.”

(253) 573-6617, terrylr@goodwillwa.org  

Josh Stovall is the Director of Research and Data for WorkForce Central. In his role he supports performance monitoring, labor market research and analysis, and workforce reporting. Josh received his master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Washington with a focus on Metrics & Evaluation. He and his family live in Central Tacoma, where they enjoy bicycling and kayaking throughout the Puget Sound.

Felice brings more than 20 years of leadership experience and implementation of trauma-informed care to her role at DCYF. Prior to her appointment as Assistant Secretary of Juvenile Rehabilitation, Felice was superintendent of Echo Glen Children’s Center. She also brings experience from the Department of Corrections, where she served various roles over 15 years, from Community Corrections Officer to Associate Superintendent of Programs for the Washington Corrections Center for Women.

Felice is firmly committed to disrupting pathways to eventual adult incarceration and believes in service-oriented leadership and fostering a positive and supportive work environment. She currently serves on the Seattle University Department of Criminal Justice Advisory Board, is the board vice-chair for the University of Washington School of Social Work and Criminal Justice, and is an alum of Just Lead Washington.

Felice is also a University of Washington graduate, Husky fan, and proud mom. Felc

As a Community Engagement Officer for Red Canoe Credit Union, Karissa spends her time and focus on building community and finding ways to inspire healthy culture through a lens of equity and inclusion for all. Fully supported by a credit union that recognizes the value of community investment, she is able to identify need, create resources and build coalition. She serves on several boards, assists businesses, non-profits and schools in training, collaboration and works with local leaders to help make our community a better place. Her passion and purpose is helping others find theirs.

Norinda Rosario Yancey currently serves as Chief Equity Officer for Metro Parks Tacoma. She is also the founder, President and CEO of Fierce Buddha, an equity, engagement, empowerment and collective impact consultancy. Norinda has over 30 years’ experience serving community via the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. A dynamic and gifted strategist, trainer, presenter, and storyteller, Norinda has helped individuals and organizations across the country bring their best selves to life. The breadth and depth of Norinda’s experience as an educator, nonprofit leader, and equity professional are valuable resources in helping advance organizations committed to creating impact.

Jonathan is a Pierce County native, born and raised in Lakewood, WA. His professional experience has revolved largely around providing youth and young adults with access to resources they need in order to be successful in both their personal and academic/professional lives. Jonathan currently serves as the Executive Director for Palmer Scholars, a Pierce-County non-profit that takes a holistic approach to serving underrepresented students of color in pursuit of their educational and career goals after high school. Prior to this role, Jonathan served as the Executive Director for the Fair Housing Center of Washington, Director of Development for the Foundation for Tacoma Students, and Program Director with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Jonathan holds a Master of Business Administration from Pacific Lutheran University, where he also earned his bachelor’s degree. Jonathan serves on Board of Directors for the Regional Pre-Apprenticeship Collaboration, on the Leadership Team for the West Sound Stem Network, Pacific Lutheran University’s Alumni Board, and the University of Washington-Tacoma’s School of Education Advisory Board. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys spending time with family, weight training, and listening to audiobooks.

As Executive Director of the Machinists Institute, Shana is leading the vision to build a better future for aerospace, manufacturing and machinist workers across Washington state through dedication to excellence in recruitment, education and training. The institute delivers programs on multiple levels of education and training including pre-employment, registered apprenticeship, certifications and more. In her previous role Shana spent 11 years as a leader in supporting the building and construction education and training programs across the state. Shana has also been active nationally, on the National Skills Coalition Work based Learning Advisory Board, Tradeswomen Task Force, as well as member of numerous statewide association boards, K20 advisory boards and workforce focused committees. When not working she enjoys hiking, backpacking and mountain biking with her husband and three sons and spending time with her 5 grandchildren.