Meet the Members
Bringing together diverse perspectives and leadership experience, the Council of Advisers collaborates with the vice provost and leadership team to offer strategic insight, facilitate connections, increase visibility, and to advocate for support of Continuum programs and initiatives.
Kraig L. Marini Baker, Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Kraig L. Marini Baker is a Seattle-based attorney specializing in technology, media, entertainment, IP licensing, privacy and digital distribution. He provides pragmatic counsel on emerging platforms and innovative ventures. Since 2001, Marini Baker has taught in the Communication Leadership graduate program at the University of Washington, covering courses such as law of digital distribution, interactive media and privacy issues involving data, wearables, Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.
Dawn Beauparlant, Global President, We. Communications
Dawn Beauparlant leads strategic direction and operations at We. Communications. With nearly 30 years in the communications industry, she focuses on advancing equity, innovation and measurable impact. Beauparlant specializes in guiding organizations through transformation and disruption and is committed to purpose-driven, stakeholder-centered communications. She is a member of Page Up, part of the Arthur W. Page Society.
Tiffany Chancellor, Entrepreneur & Investor
Tiffany Chancellor’s work is grounded in her training from the former UW certificate program in women’s entrepreneurial leadership. Committed to empowering others through entrepreneurship, she brings a creative, community-minded approach to ventures including Nifty Designs WA, Sage Tequila — a luxury tequila brand — and Bammarita, a ready-to-drink cocktail developed in partnership with San Juan BevCo. Chancellor is also a dedicated wife, mother and advocate for self-expression, passions that fuel her impact in both business and the community.
Efrem Fesaha, Founder & CEO, Boon Boona Coffee
A Seattle native with Eritrean roots, Efrem Fesaha launched Boon Boona Coffee in 2012 to redefine specialty coffee — centering African producers and traditions while building direct-trade partnerships with African farmers, particularly women. Fesaha was recognized by the Small Business Administration as the Small Business Person of the Year for Washington State and the Pacific Northwest and honored by the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. Fesaha is a civic leader and mentor dedicated to equitable trade, cultural celebration and empowering future Black and immigrant entrepreneurs.
Lisa Hufford, Founder & Strategic Advisor, Simplicity Consulting
Lisa Hufford is a founder, author and advocate for the future of work. She launched Simplicity Consulting in 2006 to empower professionals to thrive as consultants and help companies build flexible, high-impact teams. Under her leadership, Simplicity became one of the Puget Sound’s largest woman-owned businesses and earned five consecutive Inc. 5000 rankings before being acquired in 2021 by 24 Seven Talent. Hufford advises founders and CEOs on growing profitable, people-centered businesses that make a positive impact. The author of Work, Your Way and two additional books, Hufford is a recognized thought leader on consulting, leadership and entrepreneurship.
Christy Johnson, Founder & CEO, Artemis Connection
Christy Johnson is a serial entrepreneur, intrapreneur and educator who leads Artemis Connection, a strategy and innovation consultancy. A former McKinsey engagement manager and award-winning teacher, she teaches at the University of Washington and the Stanford Graduate School of Business, building programs around innovation, strategy, entrepreneurship and business policy. Johnson serves on the advisory board for the Buerk Center’s Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership program (WE Lead), which promotes women as entrepreneurs, leaders, investors and innovators.
Jesse Johnson, Director of Outreach & Community Engagement, Office of the Washington State Treasurer
Jesse Johnson is a dedicated public servant and former Washington State Representative with extensive experience in education and community engagement. His career spans nonprofit leadership, K–12 advising and university outreach, where he has advanced equity, family engagement and student academic success. In his current role at the Office of the State Treasurer, Johnson builds partnerships and programming that strengthens Washington communities and expands opportunities for young people to pursue valuable career paths.
David Newell, President & CEO, Akin
With more than three decades of experience in child and family services, David Newell leads Akin, a community‑based organization created in 2024 through the merger of Childhaven and Children’s Home Society of Washington. He previously served as CEO of Children’s Home Society of Washington and has held leadership roles at PromiseShip and Denali Family Services. Newell holds a Master of Social Work and a certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Alaska Anchorage and is a member of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Children and Family Fellowship and the Academy of Certified Social Workers.
Gale Picker, Community Volunteer & Civic Leader
Based in Seattle, Gale Picker brings a long-standing commitment to civic engagement, higher education and democratic empowerment. A former trustee of Scripps College, Picker advances inclusive civic education and leadership development through governance and advocacy grounded in institutional innovation and community impact.
Bart Shilvock, Civic Leader & Board Strategist
Bart Shilvock brings decades of leadership experience to higher education and nonprofit organizations. He recently concluded nine years on the Western Washington University Foundation Board, following earlier service on WWU’s Alumni Board. He also served for fifteen years on the board of YouthCare, a Seattle nonprofit supporting youth experiencing homelessness and continues to serve on its Real Estate Committee. A retired Boeing executive, Shilvock’s senior leadership in commercial product and sales strategy and operations informs his ongoing approach to volunteer leadership.