WA Institute for a Democratic Future – September 16, 2025

Building the Future: Meet Our Incoming and Returning Board

Are you ready for some inspiration?!

The WAIDF Board of Directors has grown and is ready to take on Washington state and the world. These dedicated leaders across industry and politics know their stuff and have already begun stepping in and stepping up behalf of the Washington Institute for a Democratic Future, supporting our goals of connecting the next generation of civic leaders across the state and beyond.

Be sure to connect with these board members, new and returning, to learn how you can support their work, and build the political infrastructure and ecosystems our local governments, state, nation, and world need.

New Board Members:

Yazmin Aguilar Carretero, Class of 2025
Day Job: Government Relations & Policy Analyst, Washington State Board of Education

Megan Atchison, MPA PMP
Day Job: Technical Assistance SME, Project Manager, Safal Partners

Fatema Boxwala, Class of 2025
Day Job: Coalition Leader, Tech for Taxes & Director of Operations, Revolutionary Grains

Xandra Chateaubriand, Class of 2012
Day Job: Principal Producer, Bungie

Cali Ellis, PhD
Day Job: Political Scientist and Educator, University of Michigan

Chase Gallagher, Class of 2006
Day Job: Director of Communications & Marketing, King County Library System

Nadia Goforth, Class of 2025
Day Job: Communications & Advocacy Director, Legal Foundation of Washington

Landon Labosky, Class of 2025
Day Job: Aquatics Manager, City of Covington

Afton Larsen, Class of 2016
Day Job: Senior Labor Relations Manager, City of Seattle

Fiona Murray, Class of 2024
Day Job: Operations & Policy Analyst, Oregon Department of Early Learning & Care

Derek Richards, Class of 2020
Day Job: Lead Operating Engineer, Samsung America

Samantha Smithingell, Class of 2017
Day Job: Deputy Director of Innovation & Development, WA State Department of Social & Health Services

Returning Board Members:

Alexa Brenner, Class of 2022
Day Job: Field Representative, U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Emily Randall

Braden Sigua, Class of 2024
Day Job: Government Affairs Manager, Pacific Science Center

Francis Choe, Class of 2024
Day Job: Strategic Advisor, Port of Seattle Commission President Toshiko Hasegawa

Joel Anderson, Class of 2023
Day Job: Associate Director of Legislative & External Affairs, Washington Student Achievement Council

Kelsey Hamlin, Class of 2024
Day Job: Legislative Assistant, Washington State Senator Noel Frame

Meadow Johnson, Class of 2009
Day Job: Political Strategist

Melissa Plummer, Class of 2010
Day Job: Political Director, DelBene for Congress

Pamela Cortez, Class of 2024
Day Job: Principal Technical Program Manager, Office of Responsible AI, Microsoft

Rory O’Sullivan, Class of 2003
Day Job: Partner, Washington Employment Benefits Advocates

Sam McVeety, Class of 2022
Day Job: Distinguished Engineer, Google

Thanks for your impactful work and continual investments in the future of civics, democracy, and progress.  

---