Angela Poe Russell

Whether it is for television, radio or for a theatrical stage, Angela loves bringing untold stories to the forefront. She is a contributor for KIRO News Radio and a Playwright in Residence at Seattle Public Theatre, where she is currently developing a new musical, Aviatrix, that will debut May 15, 2026. 

Prior to this, she co-hosted the award-winning television shows Evening and Take 5 on KING 5 in Seattle, but her career in journalism has taken her all over the country, from the deep south to the northeast. Angela’s work in TV news earned her a National Gracie Award and previously, a Northwest Emmy Award. 

Lucia Flores-Wiseman

Lucia Flores-Wiseman is a Mexican-American singer-songwriter from Seattle, Washington, whose music blends indie, folk, soul, jazz, and subtle rock into emotive storytelling and soulful vocals. Since 2018, she has built a reputation for performances that are both intimate and powerful, inviting listeners into spaces of reflection and connection. Lucia gained national attention as the 4th place finalist on Season 27 of The Voice, earning a four-chair turn and joining Team Adam, where her standout performances were widely praised for their originality and soulfulness.  She has shared the stage with Brandi Carlile, performed at festivals across the country, and continues to release music that reflects her voice, vision, and vulnerability. Currently, she is working on her debut EP, a project that promises to further showcase her depth as a songwriter and performer. 

Vivian Phillips

Vivian Phillips is a passionate advocate for the arts and the founder of ARTE NOIR, a platform dedicated to celebrating and sustaining Black art, artists, and culture. Through its online publication, art gallery, and retail space in Seattle’s historic Central District. ARTE NOIR uplifts creative voices and builds community around Black cultural expression. 

Named one of Seattle’s primary arts leaders by The Seattle Times and among Seattle’s Most Influential by Seattle Met Magazine, Vivian also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Cornish College of the Arts. Her work continues to inspire new ways of thinking about how the arts shape community, identity, and collective memory. 

Kate Starbird

Kate Starbird is a Professor at the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) at the University of Washington (UW). Kate’s research sits within the fields of human-computer interaction (HCI) and computer supported cooperative work (CSCW). Extending from early work in crisis informatics, her research program followed the phenomenon of online rumoring down the rabbit hole and into some of the toxic online spaces that are increasingly (re)shaping discourse, values, and politics around the world. Kate’s work has demonstrated that online disinformation — i.e. the intentional manipulation of discourse for political gain — is inherently participatory, taking shape through collaborations between witting agents and unwitting (though willing) crowds. Most recently, her research has converged on a conceptualization of right-wing media as effectively leveraging partisan, participatory dynamics through improvisational performances. 

Brady Walkinshaw

Brady Walkinshaw is the Founder of the media company Noisy Creek, which he started with the passionate belief that vibrant, local media sparks joy and connection to one another and can advance a just vision for our future. He is also the co-founding partner of the advisory firm Joy Road and Dean’s Lecturer in Sustainability at the University of Washington. He previously was CEO of Earth Alliance and the award-winning climate newsroom Grist, and he served as a Washington state legislator. Brady spent several years at the Gates Foundation early in his career. Originally from a small town in rural Washington State, Brady is a Fulbright Scholar and a graduate of Princeton where he served on the Board of Trustees. 

Girmay Zahilay 

Girmay Zahilay is the seventh elected King County Executive. He oversees one of the largest local governments in the country, leading more than 18,000 employees who provide services to 2.3 million residents. As the first immigrant, first refugee, and first millennial to hold the role of King County Executive, he is working to make county government more responsive to the people it serves. Executive Zahilay is focused on the Four Bs for a Better Future: breaking the cycles that drive homelessness and addiction, building more housing and infrastructure, putting more boots on the ground in communities, and delivering better government through accountability and effective service. Executive Zahilay lives in Tukwila with his wife, Joyce, and their daughters, Jazzy and Zoe.