MEET THE 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 is a dynamic speaker, educator, and advocate for youth empowerment. In 2020, she led the Seattle Children’s March #YouthShallLead, mobilizing over 3,000 youth and families in the fight for social justice. Her dedication to fostering youth development through the arts has earned her widespread recognition, including a feature in City Arts Magazine (2016).

    A recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Tabor 100 2025 Crystal Award for Excellence in Education, 2025 Hero of the Deep sponsored by the Seattle Kraken/One Roof Foundation, Wonder of Women (WOW) Community Award and the National Council of Negro Women’s Style and Substance Award, Toyia is committed to inspiring women and girls to find and amplify their voices. Her powerful message has resonated on national stages, including O Magazine’s Women Rule Leadership Training Conference.

    Toyia's passion for social justice, community service, and the performing arts extends back to 1999 when she made history as the first woman of color to perform oratory at the Miss America Pageant, while serving as Miss District of Columbia.

    As the founder and executive director of Speak With Purpose (SWP)—the only public speaking program offered in King County public schools—Toyia has created a transformative space where young scholars are empowered through authentic conversations. SWP fosters understanding and inclusivity, bridging divides of race, gender, and class, and teaching the art of storytelling as a tool for leadership.

    Toyia holds a Master of Fine Arts in Arts Leadership from Seattle University, embodying her dedication to using the arts as a vehicle for personal and collective empowerment.

Toyia Taylor, Founder | Executive Director

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, Secretary

  • 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

Louis Milard, Member

  • Louis Milard is a purpose-driven leader, entrepreneur, and technologist passionate about empowering others through clear communication and community impact. Louis has a background in leadership roles at top technology companies, where he developed a strategic, results-oriented mindset that he applies to every initiative he supports. He believes in the power of storytelling and public speaking to inspire confidence, build bridges across cultures, and drive meaningful change.

  • 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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If you have an interest in becoming a crucial part of our network,
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Board Member Interest