Board Of Directors
Simone Hamilton
Chair
David Ortiz
Vice-Chair
Nigel Lindsey
Treasurer
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Zeenia Junkeer
Secretary
Jason McGill
Damont Smith
Ben Young
Simone Hamilton
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Zeenia Junkeer
Simone is a multidisciplinary professional who earned her bachelor’s degree from the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington in 2015. She grew up on Whidbey Island and through her upbringing and international travel, learned early on the power of community, so shortly after beginning her career in tech she quickly transitioned into the public and non-profit sector where her skills, experience and knowledge could have a greater impact. Simone has both depth and range in her experience having worked as a development manager for a regional housing authority, program manager and producer for a regional theater, and a transformation specialist for a public school district. Throughout her career Simone’s leadership has been driven by her commitment to creativity, equity, and innovation. This has led her to her current role as the Director of Equity for Kent School District, 5th largest school district and most diverse in Washington state. Through a liberatory design framework, she works to transform the systems, policies, and practices to support more equitable learning experience and outcomes for our scholars and families alike.
Dr. Zeenia Junkeer is the Executive Director at Mount Baker Foundation, a private foundation serving Whatcom County, in the northwest region of Washington. Zeenia was Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and raised in Beaverton, Oregon. Trained as a Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Junkeer has spent years working globally to support community-led initiatives that build the capacity of individuals and communities to build power and self-determination. Her work in the U.S. and abroad centers on community-based strategies for health equity, led by community members most impacted, and in service of sustainable and racially just programming and policy. Zeenia spent six years in academia as an adjunct faculty member, engaging in critical pedagogy in efforts to dismantle traditional academic practices that often create barriers for students of color and other traditionally marginalized groups. As the Executive Director of the Oregon Health Equity Alliance, Zeenia led a team of staff and coalition members to make local, and state-level health equity-informed policy changes, while building grassroots community power. In addition to working for local non-profits and culturally specific community-based organizations, Zeenia is an experienced organizer, facilitator, advocate, systems thinker, strategist, and health care professional.
Nigel Lindsey
With over five years of experience in nonprofit leadership, Nigel Lindsey has made a significant impact as the Economic Development Chair of the Snohomish County NAACP. His expertise lies in developing and executing effective marketing and outreach programs that seamlessly integrate with business development strategies. Nigel has established open communication channels with local businesses, allowing him to identify their needs, understand growth barriers, and implement appropriate services.
Nigel's proactive engagement with BIPOC businesses has fostered a conducive business environment for growth and expansion within Snohomish County. His background as a business owner for nearly a decade has equipped him with comprehensive knowledge of business management and accounting principles, ensuring smooth operations and strategic planning.
In addition to his nonprofit work, Nigel has a strong financial background, starting his career at Wells Fargo and later transitioning to corporate finance at PNC Bank. He has advocated for financial empowerment at the community level and assisted large organizations with treasury management.
Nigel's dedication to serving BIPOC businesses led him to his current role at the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), where he continues to fulfill his passion for driving growth and opportunities within diverse communities.
Jason McGill
David Ortiz
Jason is a career social services professional who brings deep knowledge of working with young people experiencing homelessness. He is a community advocate who is rooted in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work. He is currently the Executive Director of Northwest Youth Services.
He first became involved in efforts to address youth and young adult homelessness after working many years in a behavioral health hospital setting and witnessing the revolving door to treatment with many patients who identified as experiencing homelessness.
David Ortiz is a Founding Faculty Member at Cascadia College in Bothell, Washington. As a Founding Faculty member, he has taught Humanities and Communication Studies courses since the fall of 2000. While he teaches content areas in the Humanities and Communication Studies, the emphasis is on social and cultural equity, especially on integrating "indigeneity" practices and methods in classroom instruction and coursework. While living in Snohomish County, he was Chair of the Executive Committee for Communities of color Coalition (C3). In addition, he has served on the HopeWorks Executive Board and the American Federation of Teachers of Washington Executive Board. Specific community-based support and engagement include Hurricane Katrina relief work in New Orleans in 2006 and the distribution of emergency grant funding for COVID-19 relief in 2020. Emergency Relief funding focused on supporting farm workers in Yakima a and food banks. He is the Interim Board President for the Pacific Islander Health Board of Washington State and a former Board Member for the Centro Cultural Mexicano. He received two American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Cesar Chavez Human Rights Awards.
Damont Smith
Damont joined Boeing in 2009 as a manager in Aft. Bodies where he helped transition N. Charleston South Carolina to a common Boeing system. Upon arriving in Everett in 2011, Damont was a 787 senior manager responsible for partner warranty work where he led a team of contractors responsible for the supplier recovery effort.
Damont also has experience in the space sector of Boeing where he led an electrical team to an important and integration phase at the NASA facility in New Orleans. The task that was accomplished allowed the SLS rocket to successfully mate the engine section to the rest of the fuselage.
Damont has 20 years in the Aerospace Industry, holds a Bachelor's degree from Wichita State University, a Masters of Public Administration from Wichita State University and an MBA from Washington State University and a DBA from the City University of Seattle.
Ben is the former co-chair of Communities of Color Coalition.