TEAM

Today, I celebrate my voice as an instrument of change inspiring others to write and speak their truth into existence. My sole life purpose is to collaborate with brilliant minds invested in the arts so that children invest in themselves and together;
we build a legacy of promise.

  • Toyia T. Taylor has used her voice to inspire audiences nationally and internationally. This year, she was featured in the City Arts Magazine and the recipient of the Wonder of Women (WOW) award. In 2015 she was a recipient of the National Council of Negro Women Incorporated, Style and Substance award. She has received the Education for Social Justice Award from Girls for Gender Equity, Incorporated, and has toured as a guest artist with the string octet, The Young Eight. Her original poems, Brooklyn Love and Blue Note Room, have had classical selections composed to them that were debuted at Carnegie Hall. Toyia has spoken and performed for O Magazine at the Women Rule Leadership Training Conference, co-sponsored by the White House Project. She was also featured in the 35th Anniversary Limited Edition of Interview Magazine as one of the top new artists to look out for in New York City.

    Dedicated to community service, social justice, and the performing arts, her passion for inspiring others won her the title of Miss District of Columbia, which advanced her to the 1999 - 2000 Miss America Pageant. Toyia Taylor is the first woman of color to perform oratory at the Miss America Pageant. Her original oratory, Wake Up, pushed the envelope by addressing the state of today’s youth and resulted in accolades for Best Interview and Talent.

    Toyia earned her Master of Fine Arts in Arts Leadership from Seattle University.

Toyia Taylor, Founder | Executive Director

Aleigha Vasser
Developmental Manager

  • avasser@speakwithpurpose.org

    Aleigha Vasser is a Washington native with 7+ years in nonprofits and philanthropy. She’s led work with UNCF, World Vision, and Microsoft, blending strategy with heart. A proud mom and faith-led leader, Aleigha is passionate about empowering underserved communities through purpose-driven impact.

Krystal Smith
Director of Education

  • ksmith@speakwithpurpose.org

    Krystal holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Southern Oregon University and an M.A. in Teaching from The Evergreen State University. A former Orca K-8 teacher, she joined Speak With Purpose in 2019, witnessing its impact on student confidence and literacy. Passionate about student-led learning, she has built partnerships, developed curriculum, and trained BIPOC educators.

Austin Sargent
Director of Operations

  • asargent@speakwithpurpose.org

    Originally from Columbus, GA, Austin Sargent is a nonprofit leader and arts advocate with an MFA in Arts Leadership from Seattle University. A longtime supporter of Speak With Purpose, he has served the organization as an Educator Innovator, Workshop Facilitator, and Project Manager while championing youth across the Puget Sound.

Rahma Mohammed
Educator Innovator

  • rahma@speakwithpurpose.org

    Rahma has been involved with SWP for over 7 years as a scholar and now an alumna. As a current college student, pre-law, a poet and public speaker, Rhama has been working with STG Elevate at the Moore theater for the past 2 years and has even performed at the Neptune theater’s centennial. She is a part of the Moving In Solidarity Coalition and has served on the Request for Proposal (RFP) review panel/committee for the Health and Safe Environment (HSE) grant. Rahma was a proud youth organizer for the Seattle Children's March in 2020 and a founding member and former president of YASC (Youth Activists for Systemic Change) council. She now serves as an advisor for YASC.

Sierra Muehlbauer
Program Manager, Education Team

  • sierra@speakwithpurpose.org

    Sierra Muehlbauer graduated 2023 from the University of Washington after majoring in Education, Communities, and Organizations and History. She has worked with education programs such as Upward Bound, First Year Programs, and Riverways Alternative Spring Break. She is also passionate about expanding our history curriculum to be more inclusive. Sierra worked as an Editor for the Historical Review at UW and was Editor-In-Chief for the Spring 2023 volume. Outside of work she loves to dance, teaching introductory courses at Poprox Dance Studio, and reads as often as possible.

Emily Stone
Educator Innovator

  • Emily Stone is an artist, educator, and activist who uses art as a tool for change. She helps students build confidence and creativity through performance and teaches with Seattle Children’s Theatre and Seattle Rep. Emily holds an MFA in Acting from the University of Washington and a BS in Molecular and Environmental Biology from UC Berkeley.

Promise Calloway
Marketing & Community Coordinator

  • promise@speakwithpurpose.org

    Promise Calloway is a communicator passionate about self-expression, equity, and empowering youth to navigate the world with clarity and optimism. She holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism from Washington State University and a Master’s in Strategic Communications from Regent University. In her current role, she leads community engagement, fostering partnerships and amplifying youth voices through creative storytelling and graphic design. Outside of work, Promise enjoys videography, working out, and reality TV.

Yasmin Hassan
Intern

  • A junior at the University of Washington majoring in Education, Communities, and Organizations with a minor in Diversity, Yasmin is passionate about empowering students through inclusive education. As a SWP intern, she aims to deepen her classroom experience. Her work as a paraeducator and with Africatown has reinforced her commitment to education and community impact.

Cathy Huang
Educator Innovator

  • cathy@speakwithpurpose.org

    Cathy Huang is an educator and editor from San Diego, California. She received her B.A in Literatures in English from UCSD, which led her to work with youth in uplifting their voices and sparking their creativity. She completed a residency at Islandwood, an environmental education nonprofit, where she taught 4th-6th graders in an outdoor setting, and she is currently finishing her M.ed in Teaching and Curriculum at the University of Washington. In her free time, she likes to look at plants, write, paint, and hang out with her tarantula, Grimsley.

Noor Alkaledy
Intern

  • Majoring in Education, Communities, and Organizations with a minor in Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Washington, Noor is passionate about inclusive education. As a SWP intern, she aims to gain hands-on classroom experience and strengthen her teaching skills. She has also volunteered with Akin and the Boys and Girls Club.

OUR BOARD

Edward Li, Treasurer

  • Ed has spent his career in aerospace, serving as both a technical expert and leader in engineering and manufacturing. With 26 years at Boeing, he has also contributed to NASA’s Space Shuttle Program and Rolls-Royce. He has held leadership roles in education and diversity initiatives and is an active mentor and volunteer in STEM, ESL, and youth sports.

  • Sefia is a digital transformation leader driving large-scale tech implementations for Fortune 100 companies. With a customer-focused, value-driven approach, she enhances business and engineering outcomes. Passionate about equity, she co-founded Microsoft’s Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board to foster inclusive innovation.

Sefia Bereket, Member

Clarence Henderson, Member

  • Clarence has dedicated over 15 years of his 20-year legal career to supporting positive youth development. Serving on multiple boards, commissions, and task forces, he focuses on improving outcomes for youth in Pierce County and across Washington state. Clarence enjoys hiking, cycling, hip hop, and making memories with his daughter.

  • Sayuri, originally from Japan, moved to the U.S. at 25, driven by curiosity and ambition. Her journey includes roles as a high school Japanese teacher, a Microsoft software engineer, an acupuncturist and wellness advocate, and now a philanthropist focused on BIPOC communities.

Sayuri Nishizawa, Member

  • Dani (she/they) has proudly served as Speak With Purpose’s Board Treasurer since 2022. By day, they are a project manager at King County, driving initiatives that connect young people to economic mobility. With an MPA from UW, Dani stays active playing sports, biking, and cheering on the Reign and Storm. A highlight of their year? Witnessing SWP scholars’ powerful voices at Rising Voices!

Dani Hurula, Secretary

  • David Dockendorf, a retired principal with 41 years in education, led schools across Marysville, Lake Washington, and Seattle. As a former K-8 leader, he saw Speak With Purpose’s transformative impact firsthand. A Leadership Tomorrow alum with a master’s from Seattle University, he enjoys gardening, hiking, and being a dog dad.

David Dockendorf, Vice-President

Julia Curns Welch

  • Julia Curns-Welch is a fundraising leader with 15+ years in institutional giving and advocacy. As Associate Director of Institutional Giving at Seattle Opera, she drives corporate, foundation, and government partnerships. With a background in arts development at Steppenwolf Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, and DePaul University, she is committed to equity-driven philanthropy.

Julia Curns Welch, President

  • A passionate leader, entrepreneur, and certified spiritual life coach dedicated to helping others discover their purpose and power. As co-owner and operations manager of Pacific Northwest Bail Bonding—the only Black-owned bail bonding company in Washington State—she has led with integrity, excellence, and heart for more than two decades.

Jovon Bosley, Member

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