Creating Connections: Engaging Leaders in Change
In-person at the Discovery Center
Free
Join the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center, International Rescue Committee, United Way of King County’s Emerging Leaders, Success Cohorts, FIUTS (Foundation for International Understanding Through Students), and Seattle University’s Alfie Scholars to celebrate and connect individuals and organizations and inspire leaders to drive change within their communities and beyond.
Meet people in the Seattle area who are making positive changes in their communities. Moderated by Kim Ironroad (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe) – Senior Program Assistant, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, our attendees will hear from a panel of young leaders representing careers from civic engagement to global health about how their experiences shaped their education & career journeys and ask them for advice on how you can do the same.
Explore our new exhibition, A Better Way to Go: Toilets and the Future of Sanitation, highlighting new innovations, powerful stories, toilets of the future, art installations, and visions of resilient and sustainable sanitation systems that can move the needle on this critical issue and save lives.
Appetizers and refreshments will be provided.
- Panel Discussion: Gain insights from a panel of speakers involved in various causes, including education, climate justice, and refugee support.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with other partners and attendees at the event, where you can learn how to get involved with their work.
- Organization Showcase: Discover organizations that align with your passion and learn how you can get involved.
Event schedule:
5 to 6 p.m. Doors open. Grab a bite to eat. Visit partner tables and participate in networking activities.
6 p.m. The virtual event goes live
6 to 6:45 p.m. Discussion with panelists and audience Q&A
Speakers
Moderator: Kim Ironroad
Kim Ironroad is a proud enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (Dakota), where she was raised. Kim has been with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for two years and works as a Senior Program Assistant within the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team. Prior to joining the Gates Foundation, Kim worked as the External Affairs Director for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe where she was part of the Chairman’s administration, Kim served as the liaison for state and federal agencies. Kim started her career at the unbeknownst company at the time, TOMS Shoes, where she was one of 12 interns and 13 employees. Kim places high value on family and on her culture and its customs and traditions.
Allison Spooner
Allison Spooner is the HR and Equity Manager at Washington Sea Grant, University of Washington where she has built a strong foundation in training design, relationship building, and conflict resolution, all driven by her passion for creating meaningful and sustained change.
As the daughter of immigrant parents and a first-generation college graduate, Allison’s commitment to civic engagement is deeply personal.
A pivotal organization in Allison’s development over the last two years has been Success Cohorts, which helps early-career individuals become the next generation of leaders. As a first-generation professional, Allison found the skills and insights from this program incredibly valuable, and she continues to apply them in her career today.
Amanda Sandoval
Amanda Sandoval is a proud 1.5 generation Mexican American, born and raised in Washington state, and has a background in community organizing and policy and a passion for getting all communities involved in advocacy.
She is the director of systems change and public policy at United Way of King County, where she works on statewide, federal, and local policy. She also supports BIPOC-led system change, by investing and partnering with our BIPOC communities that are doing community-led advocacy to create fundamental changes in how policy is made and making sure the community has a voice. Amanda also serves in the US Air Force Reserves, doing air transportation and logistics.
She is deeply rooted in her community and identity and believes our collective experiences, different and same, are what makes us powerful and authentically ourselves.