Wei Ying Wong PhD

Wei Ying Wong joined Woodland Park Zoo in 2017 as the Vice President of Learning and Innovation. As an applied social science researcher, Wei Ying has two decades of experience in interdisciplinary and multicultural conservation and education projects both nationally and internationally. She brings a focus on engaging diverse stakeholders in conservation to achieve measurable outcomes and is committed to supporting inclusive discourses and socially just environmental policies and dismantling the systems of power and privilege in the conservation, science and environmental learning areas. Wei Ying earned her MA and PhD in environmental studies from Brown University.

Aracely Godinez

Aracely Godinez is a regional marketing director for the global leasing team within Boeing’s Commercial Sales & Marketing organization. Aracely joined Boeing in 2011 with over 12 years of experience in various finance and project management roles. She has an MBA from the UW Foster School of Business, and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Illinois. Aracely dedicates her free time to enjoying the outdoors and volunteering on the national board of ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America), which helps connect Latino professionals and students with opportunities in Fortune 500 companies.

Shaunta Hyde

Shaunta Hyde is managing director of community relations at Alaska Airlines. A Pacific Northwest aviation professional, she leads community relations, charitable giving, and strategic investments in the continental United States, collaborating with civic leaders and organizations that affect Alaska Airlines.

Denise Juneau

Denise Juneau is the 22nd superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, beginning her tenure with the district on July 1, 2018. Throughout her career in public education, Superintendent Juneau has championed equitable access to quality education. She is deeply committed to ensuring each Seattle Public Schools student graduates ready for college, career and community. She is an enrolled member of the Mandan Hidatsa Tribes, and a descendant of the Blackfeet Tribe, and the Tlingit and Haida Tribes.

Jonathan Sposato

Moderator

A successful serial entrepreneur and investor in many startups, Jonathan Sposato is Chairman and co-founder of Geekwire.com, one of the tech sector’s top news sites, and Chairman and Founder of PicMonkey, the world’s most fun and popular photo-editor. In 2016, Jonathan made headlines when he announced he would be the first technology investor to only invest in female-founded companies moving forward. His book BETTER TOGETHER: 8 Ways Working with Women Leads to Extraordinary Products and Profits debuted in winter 2017. Jonathan is a graduate of Whitman College, where he is on the Board of Trustees.

Sandra Madrid

Dr. Sandra Madrid PhD is retired from the UW Law School where she served as Assistant Dean of Students and Community Outreach. She currently serves on several boards including United Way of King County, YWCA and recently joined the Woodland Park Zoo. She received her PhD and MA from the UW and BA from CSU in Pueblo, where she gave the commencement address several years back.

“As a new member of the Board of Trustees of WPZ I'm in support of the vision for diversity and inclusion in addition to saving animals and their habits through conservation leadership and engaging experiences, inspiring people to learn, care and act. The Women of Color reception affords us to come together and learn about what we can do inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in our lives. We're all better for it!”

Colleen Echohawk

Colleen Echohawk is an enrolled member of the Kithehaki Band of the Pawnee Nation and a member of the Upper Ahtna Athabascan people of Mentasta Lake. She is executive director of the Chief Seattle Club, a non-profit dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless and low-income urban Native people in Seattle. She is also the founder of the Coalition to End Urban Native Homelessness and the co-founder and principal at Headwater People Consulting Group.

“Women of color have often been the community leaders who have fiercely reminded us of the work of environmental justice and sustainability. This event continues this work as the Woodland Park Zoo lifts up the voice of women of color who have much to teach us about decolonized conservation practices, leadership and environmental justice. Environmental justice begins with every individual and I am excited to be a part of an event that lifts up the voice of brilliant individuals who have worked for and with their communities.“

Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange

Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange has served as President of Seattle Central College since August 2015. She has a wide range of experience in higher education administration and has been a leading advocate for diversity and inclusion throughout her career. Prior to assuming the leadership position at Seattle Central, she served as vice president for Minority Affairs and vice provost for Diversity at the University of Washington (UW). Dr. Edwards Lange has served on a number of national, state and local committees, and boards to advance educational excellence and inclusion. She is a charter member of the National Association of Chief Diversity Officers; and a past President of the Women in Engineering and Program Advocates Network (WEPAN). Most recently she serves on the Boards of the Seattle Art Museum, Washington Campus Compact and the Alliance for Education.

“I am participating in the event to help raise community awareness about the work being done at the Zoo.”

Mona Locke

Mona Locke was most recently the VP of Strategy & Business Development for global architecture firm MG2. She is an award-winning journalist, former first lady of Washington state, and a seasoned communications and marketing executive with more than 25 years of global experience working across public, private and non-profit sectors. While serving as a diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, she led initiatives focused on women's leadership and mentorship.

“I am happy to participate in the Women of Color Leading Change event as I believe NOW is the time to focus attention on the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. I believe in the strength of families, communities and empowering women, having recently been a voice of the #MeToo movement. I am proud to be involved with this event and hopes it serves an important step in empowering women in our community to have a strong voice and take action.”