BOARD CHAIR

Bobby is an experienced executive and leadership coach with a wide range of expertise in human resource operations and organizational change strategy. He is known for his presence, discernment, and sense of humor when working with clients. He creates a supportive space to help them effectively plan, identify barriers, and leverage their values and strengths to optimize their superpowers. Bobby believes in his clients' resilience and capability to achieve their goals with focus, presence, and accountability.

Bobby has led change management initiatives throughout his career to enhance HR policy and employee engagement at the enterprise level. Keenly skilled and experienced in developing and supporting dynamic leaders and teams, Bobby previously served as chief HR officer for the City of Seattle, providing executive leadership consultation to executive cabinet members and their HR teams. As a revered HR professional, Bobby is focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), organizational culture, labor and employee relations, and talent acquisition. He is a sought-after speaker on workplace culture and DEI topics and also serves on several community boards providing leadership for DEI strategies, policies, and programs.

SECRETARY & TREASURER

Katie Silberstein is the Strategic Projects Lead with Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University, where she studies K-12 public education finance data. Most recently, she has explored and analyzed trends in districts' ESSER spending and examined the relationship between school spending and outcomes. Before her work in education research, Katie taught in New York City elementary schools from 2015 to 2018. Katie earned her M.Ed in Education Policy and Leadership from the University of Washington, a Certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University, and a B.A. in Psychology from Bates College.

BOARD VICE CHAIR

My name is Tonya Seaberry, I am a mother of a 17 year old who graduated from a Charter High School.

I am a Des Moines Police Department Community Service Officer, who has been active in community building for over 25 years.

I believe that as a community we are stronger and that we must support the youth who live, go to school and work in our community.

My name is Zakeea Sykes, a mother of six beautiful children who also attend WA Charter Schools. A first generation college graduate and first graduating class recipient of the Washington Achievers Scholarship from Cleveland High School.

Before anything, I am a proud parent of a WNYA student, Rainier Prep Scholar and Impact PSE students. I’m passionate about the growth and education of all students. I have an Associates in Business Management & a Minor in African American Studies through Eastern Washington University.

I’m also a passionate Social Worker; hoping to change the stigma that so many Social Workers have while bridging the gap between recipient and specialist of services. My love for my community and people is what drives and motivates me to speak for the underserved, unprivileged and marginalized folks of all cultures, religions and ethnic backgrounds.

As one of your new Board Members, I hope to serve in the best interest of Why Not You Academy and the various scholars and families that we serve. I hope to achieve your trust and I am very honored to be the first parent Board Member so that I may be a voice to the ground as well as for parents and scholars alike.