Research proves grassroots leadership is a critical component of any community’s wellbeing. The Community Catalyst Award recognizes a leader whose efforts impact not just any community, but one which they call home, too. This individual is celebrated for their consistent efforts to foster collaboration, amplify local voices with special attention to historically underrepresented groups, and maintain proximity to those who are impacted most by their work.

Jennyfer Mesa is the Executive Director of Latinos En Spokane, a Latino and immigrant-led 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on supporting the Latino and immigrant population in Spokane County. As Executive Director, Jennyfer has significantly increased cultural visibility, health equity, and community livability for Latino and immigrant communities in Eastern Washington by guiding the organization’s strategic direction, developing a diverse staff and consultants, and providing strategic guidance to city and state agencies. Her background in Urban and Regional Planning, housing development, and cross-cultural community development has empowered her to lead impactful programs that directly challenge systemic inequities affecting Latino and immigrant families.

A dedicated advocate for immigrant rights, cultural community development, and social justice, Jennyfer has been at the forefront of countering Border Patrol’s unlawful immigration sweeps and racial profiling, which target and destabilize immigrant communities. By combining community organizing with legal advocacy, she was pivotal in securing policy changes safeguarding immigrants in Washington State. In addition to her immigration advocacy, Jennyfer is deeply committed to advancing health equity for underserved communities. Under her leadership, Latinos En Spokane has implemented crucial health initiatives to address disparities in healthcare access, especially for uninsured Latino populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennyfer has championed culturally responsive care and broader healthcare reforms in Washington State, ensuring that immigrant communities receive the support they need. Through her work in health equity, economic empowerment, and immigrant advocacy, Jennyfer continues to shape Spokane into a more inclusive and supportive community for Latino and immigrant residents.

The Systems Changemaker Award recognizes a leader with remarkable sensitivity to the future and courageous determination to do what is necessary today to inspire a better tomorrow. They use strategic and pragmatic leadership as a medium to create change. And while their individual influence can move mountains, this changemaker intentionally shares power and responsibility. They understand systems change is most achievable when conducted as a collective effort and are a trusted convener and facilitator of collaborative action.

Liz Baxter is CEO of the North Sound ACH, which works to advance health, equity, social justice, and wellbeing across five counties in the northwest corner of Washington, which sit on the traditional homelands of the Coast Salish people.

Before joining North Sound ACH, Liz was Executive Director of the Oregon Public Health Institute (OPHI), an Oregon nonprofit committed to building vibrant communities of health by advancing policies, plans, and practices that address the root causes of Oregon’s most pressing health concerns. She also spent seven years as Executive Director of We Can Do Better, an Oregon nonprofit founded with former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, an organization that believes small groups of people can have great impact, and influence the state and national debates on health and health reform.

Liz has spent her career in executive positions that build bridges between complex policy discussions and the public’s desire to understand and weigh in on these issues. She often plays the role of “translator” of technical knowledge for those who don’t live inside the policy world. She is an innovative disruptor of policies and strategies, working to create spaces where power is shared, especially by those who most often have not had the experience of influencing decision makers.

Liz has her undergraduate degree in social work, two years of graduate study in gerontology and a Master’s Degree in Public Health.

The Dean’s Leadership Award celebrates an individual or group committed to equity, radical courage, and uncompromising servant leadership. This leader is not afraid to run against the grain where required to support human dignity, embrace diversity, and foster democratic ideals.

Trish Millines Dziko is a change agent, mentor, and advocate for children of color. In 1996 she left her successful 17 year career in the tech industry to ensure students of color had the same opportunities she had. Trish is the cofounder, Executive Director, visionary and strategist behind the Technology Access Foundation (TAF) — one of the leading education non-profits educating children of color to their full potential.

Through Trish’s leadership, TAF transitioned from out of school programs to become a statewide leader in public education, operating TAF Academy (a 6th to 12th grade, award-winning public school co-managed with the Federal Way Public School District), and created TransformED that partners with public schools to create healthy and safe learning environments that center student voice and cultivate students into socially conscious and self-aware critical thinkers, problem-solvers, ideators, creators, and leaders. In addition, Trish led TAF through the creation of the Network for EdWork designed to recruit, retain, and develop teachers of color for our Washington State public schools.

Town Hall is centrally located in downtown Seattle at 1119 8th Ave (the corner of 8th and Seneca). Attendees for the Public Leadership Awards should use the West Entrance. It is accessible via a one-way driveway/alley off of Seneca street. Passengers may be dropped off or picked up directly outside of Town Hall’s West Entrance. The doors lead directly into the Forum level of the building, with at-grade access to the elevator serving all three levels of the building, as well as an all-gender, ADA restroom.

Valet Parking 

The Evans School has arranged for complimentary valet parking for registered guests attending the 2024 Public Leadership Awards event. The valet can be accessed from the West Entrance loading zone, a one-way driveway/alley off of Seneca street. Passengers may be dropped off or picked up directly outside of Town Hall’s West Entrance.

Public Transit 

The Evans School and Town Hall are committed to environmental sustainability, and we encourage everyone to use public transit whenever possible. 

• Metro Route #2 (serving Downtown and Madrona Park) stops right next to the building. 
• Metro Route #12 (serving Interlaken Park, First Hill, and Downtown) stops three blocks south on Madison Street
• The Symphony Light Rail station (formerly University Light Rail station) is a four block walk or ride to 3rd Ave. 

Ride Share 

If you are using a ride share service to attend, you may be dropped off or picked up directly outside of Town Hall’s West Entrance.

ADA Seating

All areas within Town Hall are ADA accessible. For the casual dinner portion of the event in the lobby, there will be seating available, and we can reserve space specifically for you upon request. For the program portion of the evening, the Great Hall has fixed accessible seating. If you have a specific accommodation request, please contact evansadv@uw.edu  

Restrooms

Town Hall has restrooms for all genders and bodies. Their building features 17 all-gender restrooms on the lobby level, as well as ADA-accessible restrooms on the lobby and Forum level. 

Hearing Loop

Town Hall’s Hearing Loop system has been installed in the Great Hall where the program will take place. These enable audience members with T-coil hearing aids to experience our events at full volume by having sounds from the stage’s microphones transmitted directly to their hearing aids! Headset are available and free-to-use, please reach out to us in advance of the event so we can arrange this for you: evansadv@uw.edu 

ASL 

The Evans School will arrange for ASL services upon request. Please contact us at least two weeks prior to the event: evansadv@uw.edu.  

If you are sick or have any symptoms associated with COVID-19, we ask that you please stay home. A full refund will be provided for the cost of your ticket(s) should you cancel your registration by September 25, 2024. After September 25, we are not able to offer a refund, but we can transfer the ticket(s) to another attendee or convert the cost of the ticket(s) to a charitable donation to the Evans School.

Yes! Cameron Catering has prepared a delicious set of offerings at the Chefs’ stations and buffet that include ample vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. If you have any specific dietary needs or allergies, please reach out and let us know so we can ensure you eat well at the event: evansadv@uw.edu.

When you arrive, you’ll delight in dinner, drinks, and mingling in the lobby – a chance to try food from a range of chefs’ stations and move about visiting with fellow guests. There’s no assigned table seating during dinner, but there will be high- and low-top tables that accommodate about four people per table, as well as some counter-style areas for folks to gather and eat. Please contact us in advance if you have accessibility needs: evansadv@uw.edu.   

The main program will be held in the Great Hall, where you can sit together with family or invited guests. You’ll have ample time to find one another and settle into a seating location that suits you (note that sponsors will have reserved seating). The program will feature an engaging panel discussion with the 2024 Public Leadership Awardees, live music, and powerful stories about work happening at the Evans School. The evening will wrap up with dessert, coffee, and farewells in the lobby. 

Pro Tip: Though you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your friends in the lobby or Great Hall, it doesn’t hurt to start a text thread to help coordinate!

In 2022, the Public Leadership Awards (PLA) underwent a significant transformation from a traditional three-course dinner gala to a more inclusive community celebration. This change was a deliberate choice to make the event more accessible and welcoming to a broader range of participants. Aligning with the Evans School’s values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, and the University of Washington’s commitment to pursuing more equitable practices, this shift reflects our dedication to fostering an environment where everyone in our community feels valued and included. By reimagining the PLA as a community celebration, we aim to create a space that not only honors public leadership but also embodies the principles of equity and inclusion that are central to our mission.