Commissioners

Michelle Kelly-Barroga uses they/them/theirs pronouns and is the Director of Programs at Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma. 

Michelle comes from Filipino families who left their country for a chance to achieve the American Dream. Michelle was born in Tacoma, WA, and spent their formative years in the Philippines. Michelle received a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from St. Paul University Quezon City. They found their way back to Tacoma as an adult to pursue a career in youth services and to enjoy the company of their family and friends. 

Michelle has a rich history with Oasis. They first joined Oasis as a youth member, went on to win a Pride Foundation award for leadership and became a dedicated volunteer. Michelle recognized the unique needs of middle school age LGBTQ youth and their families and led the development of a vital and innovative program: Project 13. Project 13 is a one-of-a-kind program that offers a safe space to build positive self-identity, community support, and critical thinking skills to practice consent, recognize healthy relationships, and have a vision for healthy futures. Through Project 13, Michelle is able to provide LGBTQ youth and their families a fitting place to learn, gather and develop lifelong friendships, a place many LGBTQ folks could only dream of at a young age. They are dedicated to use their story, experience and creativity to fuel their passion to be an advocate and preventionist for the LGBTQ community.

Everett Maroon has lived in Walla Walla since 2008, after spending more than a decade in Washington, DC as a systems analyst and project manager. He has served as the executive director of a healthcare-focused nonprofit organization since 2010, and is co-chair of the Greater Columbia Accountable Community of Health’s opioid demonstration project. He also sits on both the finance committee and the behavioral health council for the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health, and is a member of Rotary. Everett attended Syracuse University, graduating with bachelor’s degrees in English and psychology. He and his partner, Dr. Susanne Beechey, are proud parents of two children.

Alvaro Figueroa Garcia (he/him/his) is the Commission Specialist at Avista Corporation, the largest electric and gas utility company in Eastern Washington, where he has worked since 2015. In addition to his compliance work, Alvaro has helped create implicit bias & microaggression training, helped connect families to resources for LGBTQ youth, and has been involved in advocating for zero tolerance of bullying in public schools for LGBTQ youth.

He has been working and serving on non-profit boards, task forces, committees, and commissions for the past 10 years. He was a co-founder of the Latino Hope Foundation (Spokane) in 2015 which was established to provide scholarship opportunities for Latino students in surrounding areas, in addition to providing support and mentorship to develop students professionally. Alvaro is currently the Vice President for the Northeast Community Center in Spokane and will take on the role as President in 2024. He has served on other boards such as the Eastern Washington University Alumni Association, Spokane Edible Tree Project, Washington Water Power Foundation, and the Spokane County Human Rights Task Force.

Alvaro Figueroa (he/him/his) is a proud gay first-generation Mexican American born and raised in Pasco, WA. In 2011, he moved to Spokane, WA and has resided in its community ever since. He holds an undergraduate degree in finance and economics with a minor in Spanish and a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Eastern Washington University. He is currently completing his seconds Masters degree in Organizational Leadership at Eastern Washington University and hopes to begin his Doctorate in Leadership Studies in 2024.

This Commission is a catalyst for progress, and he is excited to continue serving with other Commissioners who share a dream of promoting love, acceptance, and growth in the Pacific Northwest.

An enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation, Dustin serves as a Colville Business Council for the Colville Tribe.

Dustin has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Administration and a Master’s Degree from Arizona State University in Legal Studies with emphasis in Criminal Law. Dustin has also worked early in his career in the Gaming Industry and then Tribal Gaming Commission. Later Dustin worked for the Colville Tribal Police Department for 20 years and left Colville Tribal Police Department as the Chief of Police.

Dustin is committed to the LGBTQ community and goals are to focus on the enhancement to the LGBTQ community also to look at Legal Cases that affect the LGBTQ. Dustin is also a Navy Veteran who served as a Navy Seabee Construction Battalion. Dustin also has the interest and dedication to help ensure services and assistance to all LGBTQ.

Ebo Barton is a passionate artist, educator, and activist dedicated to creating healing spaces and driving social change. They proudly embrace their mixed Black and Filipino heritage, and as a Transgender and Non-Binary Queer individual, they highlight the value and significance of intersectional identities.
Currently serving as the Director of Housing Services for Lavender Rights Project, Ebo advocates tirelessly for inclusive housing opportunities for LGBTQ+ communities. Their expertise also extends to the Seattle Social Housing Developer Board, where they contribute to equitable housing initiatives. Additionally, Ebo engages with the Community Advisory Board for Creative Justice Northwest, using art-based interventions to transform the juvenile justice system.

Ebo's artistry has made a profound impact, with their poetry featured in "Black Imagination" curated by Natasha Marin and their performances showcased on esteemed online platforms. Their exceptional talent led them to a 5th place finish at the Individual World Poetry Slam in 2016. They co-wrote and co-produced the award-winning play "Rising Up" in 2017, and their portrayal of "Invisible One" in Anastacia Renee's production "Queer. Mama. Crossroads" resonated with audiences.

In 2020, Ebo released their first published poetry collection, "Insubordinate," which received critical acclaim. The following year, the collection was named a finalist for the Washington State Book Award. A respected leader in the arts and activism, their transformative work fosters societal introspection and empowerment.

Abigayle Coleman aka Abby goes by she/her/they/them pronouns. She is of mixed race descent with ancestors from Mexico, the Philippines, Native American ancestry- specifically Chiricahua Apache, and Irish descent. They grew up as a military brat, in particular a Coast Guard brat, for the first 12 years of their life. She was an intern for Senator Brian Schatz in 2020 and had to leave when the pandemic occurred. She then finished her Bachelor's in Political Science at home while working for her father and hiring veterans. She was homeschooled and did private schooling and did not attend her first public school until high school.

While in high school she was severely racially bullied, which would propel them down a path of social justice. She fought for her small town to proclaim June as pride month and received the proclamation from the mayor in June 2021. Abby loves to do volunteer work and started the first ever pride group in her town. They are still planning the town's first pride celebration.  While working for the state she was on a panel with the Latino Leadership Network and with RAIN on intersectionality. There, they shared a poem on her experiences with racism and homophobia. She also gave a presentation to her work colleagues on generational trauma and assimilation, in the context of her great grandfather from the Philippines. Abby's ultimate goal is to keep Washington State a safe haven for BIPOC and Queer folxs alike. They strive to study policy and believes in the everyday voice of people. Doesn't matter where you come from, everyone has a story and that is what diversity truly is.

Originally from rural Minnesota, Lars Erickson has lived in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle since 2007. He currently serves as Senior Director of External Relations for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Lars’ fiancé, AJ, lives and works in Vancouver, BC.  They split their time between the two incredible cities.

Lars attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN beginning his career in communications and public outreach. After graduation in Washington DC, he served in various communications and logistic planning roles in the Clinton administration and at the Democratic National Committee. Lars was the National Media Coordinator for the Kerry/Edwards 2004 presidential campaign and then moved west to become Governor Chris Gregoire’s press secretary from 2005-07. He then became Public Relations Officer for Pierce Transit based in Lakewood until joining the WSDOT executive team in 2013.

Through his various roles, Lars has worked hard to help government better understand the communities they serve. Creating and implementing public engagement plans that help give voice to underrepresented communities and facilitating conversations that foster an open environment for everyone are cornerstones of Lars’ efforts to make government more accessible and relevant to all Washingtonians.

Lars loves to spend time with AJ, family, and friends, travel, read, cook, and explore the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Nick Franco currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Equity, Belonging, and Voice at Eastern Washington University, helping lead the university’s efforts to address systemic inequities and deepen efforts to live out its values of inclusiveness. Originally from Stockton, CA, Nick moved to Spokane in 2015 to be the first full-time director of EWU’s Pride Center, where they advocated for LGBTQ+ students and contributed to addressing broader issues for LGBTQ+ communities in the Inland Northwest. They were named the Community Grand Marshal for the 2019 Spokane Pride Parade in recognition of their work educating local organizations on LGBTQ+ inclusion. 

Nick is also a recognized DEI consultant and has facilitated workshops and experiences for organizations across the state and country on topics like mitigating bias, intersecting LGBTQ+ identities, multiracial communities, conflict resolution and de-escalation, and leadership development. 

Nick earned a Ph.D. in organizational leadership from the University of San Diego, and was a member of Odyssey Youth Movement’s board of directors from 2016-2018. When not working, they enjoy audiobooks, playing volleyball competitively, and anything related to figure skating. 

“Voyager, there are no bridges, one builds them as one walks.” — Gloria Anzaldúa

Tobi Hill-Meyer is an indigenous Chicana trans woman with 15 years experience working in nonprofits, serving on boards, and consulting in nonprofit management. She is editor of the Lambda Literary Finalist anthology Nerve Endings: The New Trans Erotic, author of children's books A Princess of Great Daring and Super Power Baby Shower, and director of the award winning erotic documentary series Doing it Online. Currently, she serves as Co-Executive Director for Gender Justice League.

Matt Landers (he/him/his) has been professionally involved in LGBTQ advocacy issues in Washington State for over a decade, including working as Director of Public Policy & Government Relations at GSBA - Washington's LGBTQ+ chamber between 2011 and 2022 and working with campaigns such as Washington United for Marriage (R-74), Raise Up Washington (I-1443), Washington Won't Discriminate (I-1515, I-1552), and the Washington Fairness Campaign (I-1000).

He has degrees in geography from Macalester College and the University of Oregon. Previously he served on the board of Out for Sustainability, volunteered with regional chapters of the LGBTQ Victory Fund and OutRight Action International, and was appointed to serve on the King County Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation Task Force and the Seattle Commercial Affordability Advisory Commission. Matt currently works in government relations at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and is a 2023 Marshall Memorial Fellow with the German Marshall Fund. He lives in Seattle with his husband.

Ranulfo Molina uses El/He/Him pronouns; he is a first-generation Guatemalan American and the first openly proud Queer man in his family. 

Commissioner Molina is a Pride Foundation Scholar and graduate student at the University of Washington pursuing a Master of Education in Education Policy. Commissioner Molina is a Western Washington University alumnus who received his bachelor's in English Creative Writing Emphasis and a minor in Education and Social Justice. During his time at Western Washington University (WWU), Commissioner Molina served as 2020-2021 Vice President for Diversity, he actively worked with university administrators, faculty, and WWU students as they continue to focus on diversity and equity efforts, including the empowerment, retention, and full inclusion of all populations on campus that are systematically minoritized, marginalized, and underrepresented. 

Commissioner Molina comes from a matriarch household, born and raised in Skagit Valley. Molina is an alumnus from Skagit Valley College and Burlington-Edison High School. Commissioner Molina has three years of volunteerism with non-profits in Skagit County as an Adult Educator with Community Action of Skagit County and a Tutor with Children of The Valley.  

Commissioner Molina centers his work and studies on understanding what liberation looks of Queer and Trans peoples. On this pathway, he has served in LGBTQIA+ leadership positions working to ensure the voices and concerns of the LGBTQIA+ community are being centered in spaces of decisions.  

"I am honored to serve the WA LGBTQIA+ Community and be the voice representation for Skagit's LGBTQIA+ community." 

Steven R Sawyer is the Executive Director of POCAAN, formally known as People of Color Against AIDS Network. Here his work focuses on “Promoting Health, Mobilizing Community, and Transforming Lives”

He drives and is responsible for the strategic vision and leading business decisions to drive company growth. Their duties include collaborating with a company’s leadership team, implementing strategic plans for development, and managing relationships with stakeholders.

Steven’s studies include a Global Development & Justice, Multnomah University Seminary, M. Div., Healthcare Executive Leadership Certificate Program, UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Steven has worked in the Healthcare industry for more than 30 years where he has been able to combine his call to ministry and his passion to see people become healed, whole, and complete.

Prior to accepting the role of executive director, Steven was the Board President of POCAAN for 5 years.

Jason Victor Serinus has been emphatically out since the spring of 1970, when he founded the New Haven Gay Liberation Front. In late spring, he moved to NYC to work in the original New York Gay Liberation Front and live in the pioneering 17th St. Gay Men’s Collective. He marched in NYC's first three “Pride” parades, including the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade, and worked on GLF’s Gay Flames newsletter and short-lived Gay Community Center. Jason returned to NYC in June 2019 for Stonewall 50, where he marched as part of the GLF Grand Marshal contingent in the Heritage of Pride Parade.

Jason moved to the Bay Area in the summer of 1972.  He and his husband were first married on Feb. 13, 2004 in San Francisco City Hall on the second day of the Month of Lavender Love. Subsequently, there were legally married in Oakland City Hall on June 16, 2008—the first night that same-sex marriage was legalized (for the first time) in California—in a public ceremony officiated by Mayor Ronald V. Dellums and Rep. Barbara Lee. They moved to Port Townsend in the summer of 2014. Almost a year later, Jason organized Port Townsend's Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Decision Victory demonstration.

Jason has contributed to the local and national LGBTQ+ press since 1973. During the AIDS crisis, he wrote many of the holistically-oriented articles in the San Francisco Sentinel. He also edited the book, Psychoimmunity & the Healing Process: A Holistic Approach to Immunity & AIDS, founded the Castro Street Healing Group, co-sponsored Lousie Hay’s major presentation and workshop in San Francisco, and led seminars on holistic approaches to AIDS in major US cities. 

Currently, Jason reviews audio equipment for Stereophile and classical performances and recordings for Stereophile, Opera Now, Classical Voice North America, San Francisco Classical Voice, and the Bay Area Reporter. A professional whistler who performed Puccini’s “O mio babbino caro” as The Voice of Woodstock in the Emmy-nominated Peanuts cartoon, “She’s a Good Skate, Charlie Brown,” he continues to perform on an occasional basis. He also organizes Jefferson County GBTQ Men’s potlucks and helps publish the Gudlife weekly LGBTQ+ informational newsletter for the Olympic Peninsula. Joining the Washington State LGBTQ Commission is another chapter in a history of activism that began in the summer of 1965, when Jason journed to Williamston, NC with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s SCOPE Project to help register Black people to vote.

Alicia is a self-proclaimed JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) advocate and hip-hop purist, in that order. As a JEDI advocate and an experienced consultant with public and private entities they have designed and implemented organizational change strategies and leadership development, dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion. They have provided facilitation and consultation on cross-cultural communication, developing cultural and emotional intelligence. Currently, Alicia is the first Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion with the City of Vancouver. They are driven by supporting opportunities to capitalize on innovative practices within the city that improve workplace and community culture by addressing some of our most difficult social problems.

Alicia’s work over the years has included a wide variety of industries and business sectors, including Fortune 500s, government, non-profits, faith and educational institutions. Alicia uses their knowledge, skills and background to amplify their passion of supporting many communities within their own equity journey. Some of this work includes but is not limited to: team development, equity toolkits, baseline assessments, equity SWOT Analysis, diversity and inclusion professional development, equity and inclusion strategic planning, identity-driven leadership for leaders of color, consultancy, and coaching.

Alicia is a Certified Diversity Professional, Master Certified Coach, Minnesota Young American Leaders Program alumni, Humphrey Institute Policy Fellow, True North Leadership alumni through Harvard Business School, an Intercultural Development Inventory® qualified administrator, ToP Facilitator, Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation and Leadership trainer, Racial Justice Circle Facilitator and trainer, and True Colors® Certified Facilitator.

Over the years, Alicia has been involved in many personal activities supporting, advancing and breaking-down barriers the LGBTQ2S+ community has experienced. Alicia has created policies to reduce employment disparities for Queer Communities of Color, created self-sufficiency programs for youth experiencing homelessness, lead support groups for LGBTQ2S+ parents, created curriculum “How to Talk WITH Kids about Race, Sexuality and Gender,” and guided police and fire departments on working with LGBTQ2S+ community members.

Alicia has been awarded the Beat the Odds Award through the Children’s Defense Fund of Minnesota and the Young Alaka'i Award for working with marginalized youth and was the winner of Inspiring Women by the WNBA Minnesota Lynx.

Alicia is a Minnesotan native that does not miss the cold nor snow. In true Jedi style Alicia can be found meditating, studying the force, teaching younglings or practicing their Lightsaber skills. Alicia and their partner live in Vancouver with their pandemic puppy that officially has more outfits than the adults. As a family, they enjoy hiking, traveling, Mario Kart competitions, comic books, kayaking and exploring PNW food trucks. Alicia has two adult sons in Minnesota.