Board of Directors

Jackie Love is a seasoned healthcare administrator with more than 40 years of experience leading teams, strengthening systems, and advancing the well‑being of diverse communities. Her career reflects a deep commitment to service, equity, and inclusive leadership.

A strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Jackie believes meaningful change requires intentional action and shared responsibility. Guided by the principle that “we must all do our part,” she brings a values‑driven approach to every role she holds.

As President of the Center for Women & Democracy, Jackie is dedicated to creating safe, welcoming spaces where women of all ages and backgrounds can learn, lead, and engage in honest dialogue about the issues shaping their lives. She is committed to ensuring CWD remains a powerful platform where women’s voices are heard, valued, and positioned to influence lasting change.

Jade is an operations-driven event strategist, community builder, and advocate for women’s leadership whose work centers on elevating voices, strengthening networks, and creating spaces where women can grow, influence, and lead. With more than a decade of experience in program management, large-scale event production, and organizational logistics, Jade brings a strong blend of strategic thinking, people-first leadership, and execution excellence to the Center for Women & Democracy.

She currently manages high-impact programs and internal events for Amazon, while also leading Allure Event Management — a brand known for designing intentional, elevated experiences across the Pacific Northwest. Her work consistently highlights women’s stories, cultural diversity, and legacy building, aligning directly with CWD’s mission to develop and support women leaders locally and globally.

Driven by service, community, and the belief that women are strongest when they rise together.

Christina currently teaches Political Science at Bellevue College where she also manages the Women's Center and Veteran's Program. Christina graduated with a B.S. in History from the United States Naval Academy and is a veteran of the Iraq War. She also holds a B.A. in Russian and Political Science from the University of Arizona and an M.A. in International Diplomacy from Norwich University.

She completed her Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Arizona and her research focuses on post-civil war peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Christina conducted fieldwork for her dissertation in Bosnia and Northern Ireland and recently conducted research in Malawi and Kenya for a project on poetry and peacebuilding.

Loren is an experienced commercial banking professional with eight years of expertise in credit and treasury management. She currently serves as a Treasury Relationship Manager at WaFd Bank, building strong partnerships with commercial clients and delivering strategic financial solutions. She earned a Master of Business Administration from Gonzaga University in the summer of 2024. Originally from Colombia, Loren brings a unique global perspective and a deep appreciation for diverse experiences and voices.

She is particularly passionate about empowering women through financial independence, firmly believing that financial literacy and access to resources are key to unlocking opportunities. Her work is driven by a vision to build a more inclusive and equitable future - one in which future generations of women are equipped to take control of their financial lives and thrive in all dimensions of society.

Miriam is a community advocate and strategic leader committed to expanding civic participation and strengthening democratic representation. Her work centers on supporting individuals and communities navigating complex systems, with a focus on access, stability, and long-term wellbeing.

She brings a background in strategic communications, community engagement, and organizational development, partnering with mission-driven initiatives to amplify underrepresented voices and translate values into action. Her approach blends systems thinking, storytelling, and practical execution to create inclusive pathways to leadership and participation.

Miriam is dedicated to advancing women’s leadership, fostering meaningful civic engagement, and building spaces where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed, but empowered to lead

Maloa Jenkins is an enrolled Choctaw woman and development leader dedicated to Native visibility, power, and self‑determination. Shaped by her family’s history—from her grandfather’s boarding school experience to her mother’s work in Native healing—she leads with truth, reclamation, and purpose.

As Director of Development at Na’ah Illahee Fund, she advances Indigenous self‑determination, climate justice, food sovereignty, and community healing across the Pacific Northwest. She also supports Rise Above, empowering Native youth through confidence and leadership development.

Maloa serves on the advisory committee for Friends of Waterfront Park Seattle and previously advised the Grammy Award‑winning band Portugal. The Man on Native representation and investment. She is pursuing her Master of Public Administration at The Evergreen State College to strengthen her impact on policy and funding systems.

Her mission is clear: elevate Native women leaders and ensure their voices shape the spaces they enter.

Stasha Espinosa (Stay‑sha) brings nearly 20 years of public affairs experience advancing socioeconomic policy across all levels of American government. She served in senior roles in both the U.S. House and Senate, becoming one of the youngest women of color to hold leadership positions in both chambers. Her work has helped pass more than a dozen laws and secure over $21 billion for Washington communities. She now develops advocacy strategy for a statewide political philanthropy focused on community power and long‑term systems change.

Espinosa has been recognized as Professional of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America, a Puget Sound Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, and a Washington State Champion for Equity. She is an alumna of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation Fellowship and the German Marshall Memorial Fellowship, with ongoing international research on civic engagement in democracies facing pro‑authoritarian shifts.

Her greatest motivation comes from being a mother to two young girls and her belief that women are best equipped to shape the decisions that affect their lives. She holds a master’s degree in communication, law, and policy from the University of Washington.

Dr. Amarah Khan serves on the Mayor’s Cabinet as the inaugural Executive Director of the Seattle Ombuds Office, where she is building the City’s conflict management infrastructure and ensuring employees have a safe, confidential space to address workplace concerns, including harassment, discrimination, and bias. She leads a team of conflict‑resolution professionals and established citywide coordination to respond to incidents of hate and disrespect.

A leader in systemic DEIB strategy, Dr. Khan has advanced equity initiatives for underserved communities across government, education, and international development. She previously served as Director of Equity for Renton School District, Associate Director of Global Diversity Initiatives at Oregon State University, and as an international development specialist with humanitarian agencies.

Dr. Khan holds a doctorate in Applied Anthropology from Oregon State University and a master’s in public administration from the University of Oregon. Fluent in five languages, she is a certified mediator, coach, and conflict management professional. Her doctoral research focused on women’s access to reproductive health in rural Pakistan.

With 28 years of experience as a Cardiac Technician, I have dedicated my career to providing compassionate, expert care while building strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills. Beyond healthcare, I have spent more than 15 years advocating for students, families, and educators through leadership roles in the Washington State PTA, and 12 years as a Girl Scout Troop Leader mentoring a large troop of young women in confidence, service, and leadership.

My community involvement includes participating in legislative assemblies, collaborating with policymakers on education and family‑focused initiatives, and serving on a school district board during the COVID‑19 pandemic to help shape safe return‑to‑school strategies. I currently serve on a community leadership board partnering with the Tacoma Police Department to strengthen trust, communication, and public safety.

Across all roles, I bring strengths in strategic planning, organizational management, community engagement, advocacy, and coalition building. As the wife of a retired active‑duty service member, I carry a deep appreciation for service, resilience, and community commitment. My diverse background in healthcare, education, youth leadership, and public service reflects a lifelong dedication to improving outcomes for children, families, and communities.

Meenakshi “Meena” Das is a software engineer, disability advocate, and accessibility thought leader working at the intersection of technology, inclusion, and communication equity. Currently a software engineer at GitHub, a Microsoft company, she brings firsthand experience from within one of the world’s leading technology ecosystems.
As someone who navigates the world with a stutter, Meena combines lived experience with a technical background to challenge how products, workplaces, and communication systems can unintentionally reinforce exclusion. Her work encourages organizations to move beyond compliance and toward creating environments where more people can participate fully.

She has been recognized as a Disability NextGen Leader of the Year, a Stevie Social Change Maker of the Year, a DO-IT Trailblazer by the University of Washington, and an inductee into the Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame. She is also a contributor to the book Digital Accessibility Ethics: Disability Inclusion in All Things Tech.

With 44 years of experience in healthcare and education, I have dedicated my career to advancing equity, access, and compassionate care. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Education from Pacific Lutheran University, and my work spans neonatal special care, pediatric intensive care, non‑accidental trauma, home care, free clinics, and transgender health services.

My commitment to youth and community includes serving as a PTA president, camp nurse, and educator for junior high and high school life science and medical science programs. I also taught LPN courses in a low‑income community in Albuquerque, helping many first‑generation students enter the medical field.

Rooted in a strong sense of service, I have always believed in strengthening both individuals and the communities we belong to. Growing up in a military family shaped my appreciation for cultural diversity, global awareness, and the responsibility to contribute to positive change.

On a personal note, I am an animal lover who finds joy and peace in the company of my dog Minnie, my puppy Lincoln, my horse Cessna, my cat Lucy, and the many creatures that wander through my yard.