Aileen is a NW local with ties to the Bremerton, Seattle and Filipino-American community. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Comparative Sociology at the University of Puget Sound and her master's degree at the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington, she began a career in community development that has spanned 10 years. Inspired by her first job in Seattle's historic International District, Aileen began her emphasis in multi-cultural, diverse communities as a way of ensuring community change is powered by the community.

In White Center, Aileen begins her 5th year as the Executive Director of the CDA and she is continually challenged and inspired by the resiliency and hope of the residents in the community.

Her hobbies include NW sports (even the Sonics), live music, Filipino American history, and late-night emailing.

Member of the Gros Ventre/Assiniboine tribes of Ft Belknap, MT, lifelong Seattle resident. In her role as the CDA's Technical Assistance Coordinator, she is responsible for coordinating individuals and projects to determine the necessary resources, tools and strategic planning needed in order to effectively achieve desired results.

She has a lifetime commitment to social justice, community advocacy, organizing, cross cultural alliance and capacity building. Loretta's passion is helping others to see their full potential by building upon the legacy left by the leaders before her by being a partner, coach, advisor, and risk taker so that others may be strong in advocating, leading, and representing their communities and families.

She is a mom to four daughters and two cats, enjoys beading and 'hitting the pow wow trail'.

Doug is the CDA's Database Coordinator and is responsible for managing performance tracking activities and aiding conversations on the use of data for the greater benefit of the White Center and Boulevard Park communities. He also acts as the CDA's "resident geek" and often takes a first look when the server doesn't behave.

Doug's professional background includes a blend of nonprofit program management and market research for a variety of public agencies and political campaigns. He is also an active member of the Japanese American Citizens League--the nation's oldest Asian American civil rights organization--and served as president of its Seattle chapter in 2006.

Doug is a native of Portland, Oregon and earned a degree in sociology from the University of Washington in 2002. Also, rumor has it that he makes a lovely tiramisu and a mean stack of pancakes.

Patty likes chicken and the author Isabelle Allende. She just finished one of her novels, "Inés of My Soul," and highly recommends it. She was born in Seattle and is a lifelong resident of the Rainier Valley. She loves to travel and has visited many countries, including Peru (twice), Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and a Turkish island (her secret hiding place). As much traveling as she has done, she still has a wish list: Jordan (to see Petra), Argentina, Nicaragua, Brazil and Palenque in Mexico. Oh and Easter Island to see the carved volcanic stone called The Moai. Patty is the Neighborhood Development Director.

As the former Site Liaison for Making Connections, Ms Fujiwara was the local link to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Her responsibilities include planning and coordination of family strengthening strategies and activities amongst local stakeholders consisting of families, community residents, providers, faith-based organizations, businesses and co-investors.

Prior to becoming the Site Liaison in late 2000, Ms Fujiwara served as Special Assistant for Health and Human Services to Mayor Schell and Regional Government Relations Coordinator for Mayor Rice of the City of Seattle. From 1978 to 1993, Ms Fujiwara was the Associate then Executive Director of the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS). The ACRS is a community based non-profit which provides a wide range of bilingual, culturally competent human services to the diverse Asian/Pacific Islander communities throughout King County.

As a local civic activist, Ms Fujiwara serves or has served on a variety of boards and commissions including: Nonprofit Assistance Center, United Way of King County, Refugee Women's Alliance, International District Improvement Association, Japanese American Citizens League, Minority Executive Directors Coalition, Mayor's Housing Levy Oversight Committee, Children's Alliance, YWCA.

Ms Fujiwara received her Bachelor of Arts Degree and Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Washington. She also received a fellowship to study at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. A lifelong resident of Seattle, Washington, she currently resides there with her 14 year old daughter.

Soona Vili, a proud islander was born in the village of Vailoa in American Samoa. Seeking the American dream her family migrated to the island of Oahu in 1962 when she was only 3 years old.

With four young children in tow, she moved to Washington in 1987, a single parent with extended family in the Seattle area, Soona settled in White Center where she lived for over 10 years and raised her four children. This year she celebrates her 4th year at the CDA. Soona's secret pleasure is spending time with her 10 grandchildren.

David Daw is a Washington native and White Center resident former Publisher of The Initiative Newspaper, a regional African American Newspaper and club center coordinator at South Seattle Community College, were he was responsible for supervising and training student leaders. David is a graduate of The Evergreen State College where he emphasized in public administration, leadership and inter-cultural communications (B.A 04).

David has also lived and studied economic development and nation building in Namibia, South Africa, and all over Central America. Also prior to his position here with CDA, David worked as the community coordinator for Black Dollar Days Task Force Central Area Sustainable Community Development Practice Circle, where he was responsible for helping business find and share resources. He has served in leadership roles in several statewide political organizations, campaigns and political initiatives.

David is very excited about working for the CDA and hopes he can be a great resource.

Sopha Danh is a social work graduate from Seattle University who has put her social work degree to good use. She has experience working with developmentally disabled adults, youth and communities of color and while challenging, she keeps coming back from more and isn't sure why?

While born in South Vietnam, Sopha is actually Khmer (Krom) and her family came to the United States when she was 7 years old and settled first in Louisiana (that's right, y'all!). Later, her family moved to White Center and she's been here ever since. She comes from a large family of 7 siblings and feels blessed to be part of such a great family.

Sopha is happy and excited to be part of the CDA because its' an organization that works to improve the quality of a wonderful community like White Center- her home! She hopes to complete a graduate degree in public administration in the future.

Sylvia is a resident of Highland Park and works at Sterling Savings Bank with 17 years experience in private banking and real estate.

Dan is a senior lecturer and director of the public service clinics at the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington. His research, consulting, and teaching interests are in community and economic development, transportation and land use, and strategic planning.

He joined the CDA board at its inception and is now focused on the Strength of Place Initiative. Dan brings experience as a big city mayoral aide, executive director of a non profit organization, and planner for an urban county's housing and community development program. He has developed business plans for several community development corporations and has served as board chair of Common Ground and Vashon HouseHold, Seattle area affordable housing developers. Dan lives in a suburb of White Center-Vashon Island-where he has a small organic flower farm and likes to ride his bicycle.

Jim Diers has a passion for getting people engaged with their communities and in the decisions that affect their lives. Since moving to Seattle in 1976, he put that passion to work for a direct-action neighborhood association, a community development corporation, a community foundation, and the nation's largest health care cooperative. He was appointed the first director of Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods in 1988 where he served under three mayors over the next 14 years.

Currently, Jim works for the University of Washington where he teaches courses in community organizing and development. As the liaison for UW-Community Partnerships, he has focused on supporting White Center initiatives with UW faculty and students. Jim represents the UW and other institutional partners on the Board of WCCDA.

Jim also serves on the faculty of the Asset-Based Community Development Institute and travels internationally to deliver speeches, present workshops, and provide technical assistance to community associations, non-profit organizations, and local governments. His book, Neighbor Power: Building Community the Seattle Way, is available through the University of Washington Press.

Heather Downey has resided in the Shorewood neighborhood, just adjacent to White Center, for over nine years. Her interest in local activism coupled with a passion for sustainable economic and community development led her to the White Center CDA, where she has served as a Board member since 2006.

Heather has over twenty years of real estate experience in commercial, corporate and non-profit management, including acquisition, dispositions and general portfolio oversight, strategic planning, facilities design and construction. Ms. Downey is currently employed by Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc., a life science developer and asset manager, where she is responsible for a 1.2 million square foot portfolio in Seattle and British Columbia. She was previously with Bank of America where she held the title of Vice President, Corporate Work Place and was responsible for the management of a 3.5 million square foot corporate portfolio spanning 3 states and 506 locations. Prior to joining Bank of America, Ms. Downey was the Senior Manager, Master Planning and Development for Immunex (and then Amgen) in Seattle where she primarily worked with various scientific groups within the organization to assist them in determining and then procuring their real estate solutions. Ms. Downey holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Antioch University Seattle, and is designated as a Real Property Administrator (RPA) by the Building Owner and Managers Association (BOMA).

On the creative side, Heather also has a Certificate in Fiction Writing from the University of Washington, but her real estate work pays the bills. In her spare time, Heather likes to kayak, cook, garden and enjoy great Northwest wines!

Jennifer LaBrecque is a former CDA employee. She is a program officer for Impact Capital and brings experience in community organizing, affordable housing and supporting organizational capacity building.

Pastor Dan Magalei, CPA, is co-pastor at the White Center Assembly of God and guides the social service group, Pasefika, with the church.

Mick Moore is a Burien resident who received his Master's Degree and Ph.D. from the UW. He has served as a classroom teacher, audiologist, university instructor, researcher and educational administrator. He is the Asst. to the Superintendent for Interagency Relations for Puget Sound Educational Service District.

Jesus is a long time community advocate in the Latino, non-profit and larger community. He is currently employed by the Non Profit Assistance Center as a Leadership Program Manager and is a Steering Committee Co-Chair for the Trusted Advocates.

Evelyn is a White Center resident and member of the Trusted Advocates. She is currently employed by Refugee Federation Service Center in support of early learning for young children in White Center.

Mengstab is a Boulevard Park resident, former Highline School District Board Member and Steering Committee Co-Chair for the Trusted Advocates. He has many years of organizing in his East African communities and is currently employed by the Refugee Federation Service Center.

Karen is a resident of Boulevard Park and works at King County in Public Health Administration.

Pat is a resident of White Center and employee of the City of Seattle's Human Services Department.

Edna has been involved with her Pacific Island community her whole life via school, college, church, and even today with PASEFIKA, a faith-based organization located in the heart of White Center.

Edna's passion is helping others improve their quality of life in every area - mind, body, and soul! If there is a community meeting or event happening somewhere in WC, you can count on seeing her there.running around or greeting folks! She is the proud mother of her princess "Elzira," and wife to her awesome husband Etuale!

Kate has lived in Seattle most of her life, the last 17 years in West Seattle. She says, "From the time I was born, I have lived in diverse communities, and that has enriched my life beyond measure." Kate worked for the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association for nine years before moving two miles down the road to the White Center CDA, where she is the Administration Director.

In the rest of her life, Kate and her partner are raising a teenage daughter and Kate volunteers for the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail when she can. She connects with nature and is busy making her yard, "an edible garden, so you can pick (and eat!) whatever's ready: grapes, strawberries, raspberries or plums, and give them to friends and neighbors." Like David, she would like to own a goat, and like her neighbor, chickens, but not necessarily in that order.

Ian Dapiaoen is a 2nd generation Filipino American, born and raised in Seattle. He has extensive experience working in his community; serving youth, students, and artists. A creative writing major at the University of Washington, Ian first used his writing and networking skills as a journalist for three years in the Asian Pacific Islander community. He moved on to expand his outreach and networking skills as an AmeriCorps/VISTA recruiter for Washington state's largest AmeriCorps agency for 4 years before joining the White Center CDA team in August 2008. As Community Building program manager, his focus is to work with White Center residents regarding community engagement, resident leadership and social networking.

Ian is also a DJ, sharing the stage with many Seattle hip hop artists (Blue Scholars, Common Market, Black Anger, D. Black, etc.) and popular mainstream/underground artists (Kanye West, Kidz in the Hall, Masta Ace, Native Guns). He has DJed for dozens of local non-profit and social justice organizations.

Ian is a member of a Filipino arts collective, as well as a member of the fundraising team for Washington Asian Pacific Islander Families Against Substance Abuse (WAPIFASA), a non-profit organization serving and educating youth around substance abuse issues. He enjoys music, photography, videography, comic books, movies, movies based on comic books, cooking, design, travel and making people laugh.