Panelist

Dr Caitlin Hadfield

Director of Animal Health, Seattle Aquarium

Dr. Caitlin Hadfield is the Director of Animal Health and head veterinarian at the Seattle Aquarium. She completed veterinary school at Cambridge University and a veterinary internship at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, and is board-certified through the American and European Colleges of Zoological Medicine. She is the primary author and editor for the textbook, Clinical Guide to Fish Medicine. She chairs the veterinary working group for the multinational recovery project for Indo-Pacific leopard sharks (StAR). She is a member of the Animal Welfare Committee for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is an Affiliate Assistant Professor at the University of Washington.

Panelist

Shiva Shafii in

Interim Executive Director | Friends of Waterfront Park

Shiva Shafii is Interim Executive Director at Friends of Waterfront Park, where she helps advance the vision and impact of Seattle’s transformed 20-acre waterfront. A communications and marketing leader with experience spanning public spaces, public health and the arts, she previously led marketing and communications at the University of Washington School of Public Health. Her career also includes leadership roles with the San Diego Symphony, Seattle Symphony and West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. A former violinist, Shiva brings a lifelong connection to music and a passion for storytelling, community, culture and building more inclusive institutions.

Panelist

Jamie Heil in

Chief Program & Operations Officer
Boys & Girls Clubs of King County

Jamie Heil is a nonprofit leader with over a decade of experience in youth development, strategic planning, and organizational operations. As Chief Club Program & Operations Officer at Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, Jamie oversees 30 Clubs serving more than 10,000 youth, managing an $18M revenue budget and leading a team of 350. Deeply committed to coaching and developing staff, Jamie has built high-performing teams with strong retention through mentorship and intentional leadership development. A skilled community builder, Jamie holds a Master's in Public Administration from Seattle University and a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the University of Washington.

Panelist

Peter Murchie in

Senior Director for Policy at the Environmental Protection Network; EPN was founded in 2017 and has over 800 EPA alumni across the country volunteering their time to protect the integrity of EPA, human health, and the environment.

At EPN, Peter Murchie is the Senior Director for Policy leading the National Policy and Civil Service Resilience teams and focused programming for Safeguarding EPA’s Scientific Record and Independent Science Advice and Reimagine EPA. Peter has 30 years as a public sector leader focused on collaborative governance solutions for complex environmental health challenges. Peter has degrees in Public Health and in Natural Resource Science and Policy from the University of Michigan.

Panelist

Katie Newman in

Rural and Community Health Development and Capital Strategist
High Point Healthcare Real Estate, LLC

Katie Newman is the Founder and CEO of High Point Healthcare Real Estate, where she helps healthcare organizations turn complex facility needs into financially viable projects. A registered architect with more than 25 years of experience in healthcare design, construction, development, and capital strategy, Katie has delivered more than one million square feet of healthcare space. Her work focuses on aligning real estate strategy with creative capital solutions, including public-private partnerships, tax credits, public funding, philanthropy, and traditional financing. She is passionate about expanding access to healthcare by rethinking how projects are funded and delivered—particularly in rural and underserved communities where traditional development models often fall short.

Panelist

Matthew Ellsworth in

Executive Director of the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts. Representing 40 publicly owned and governed hospitals, mostly in rural Washington and Critical Access providers.

Matthew Ellsworth currently serves as the Executive Director of the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts (AWPHD) in Seattle, Washington. AWPHD serves fifty-seven districts that provide health care needs throughout the State of Washington. Matthew has worked as the government affairs director for an international trade association, senior advisor to U.S. Senators, Governors, and legislators as well as managing the campaigns of two current United States Senators. Matthew has a degree in Politics and International Relations from the College of Idaho. He is also a former member of the Idaho State Board of Medicine and currently serves on the Board of the Association of Washington Business as well as the Board Chair of Love Heals Free Clinics.

Panelist

Erica Rimlinger in

Women's health journalist, Communications Director for HomeSight, a nonprofit organization that builds affordable housing, provides homebuyer assistance, education and loans, and provides community development services to small businesses in southeast Seattle.
HealthyWomen Magazine & HomeSight

An award-winning writer and editor, Erica is passionate about transforming complex issues into clear, compelling stories that inspire action.

Panelist

Dr. Anthony L-T Chen in

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Civil Center of Excellence, Western State Hospital, and Clinical Associate Professor, Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health

Dr. Anthony L-T Chen is a dynamic, effective, visionary leader deeply committed to comprehensive, community-oriented care; health equity; and a vision of healthy people in healthy communities. As a family physician, he provided comprehensive care in urban underserved and immigrant communities for 18 years. He transitioned to health care management then population and public health. For 15 years, he led the second largest health department in Washington, including through the H1N1 and COVID-19 global pandemics. He currently is Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Western State Hospital, His expertise includes: Leadership and Public Health 3.0, health policy, advancing health equity, and public health innovation.

Panelist

Mario Bailey in

Vice President of Community Engagement & Legends for the Seattle Seahawks

Mario Bailey is Vice President of Community Engagement & Legends for the Seattle Seahawks, where he leads efforts for the organization, players and legends to impact communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. A member of the Seahawks' executive leadership team during the franchise's most recent Super Bowl championship season, he joined the organization in 2018 and was promoted to his current role in 2023.

A Seattle native and Franklin High School graduate, Bailey starred on the University of Washington football team, earning consensus First-Team All-American and Pac-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors while helping lead the Huskies to an undefeated 12-0 season and the 1991 national championship. Bailey holds the school record for career touchdown receptions with 30 and was inducted into the University of Washington Hall of Fame in 2014.

Selected by the Houston Oilers in the sixth round of the 1992 NFL Draft, Bailey went on to a 12-year professional football career highlighted by six seasons with the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe, where he won two World Bowls and became the league's all-time leader in receptions.

Bailey's commitment to service extends well beyond football. Before joining the Seahawks, he worked with King County supporting youth and veterans, served in Seattle Public Schools, and coached football at his alma mater, Franklin High School. He also serves on several community boards and advisory committees, continuing a career centered on creating opportunities for youth and strengthening underserved communities.

Panelist

Janelle Choi Hillhouse in

Program Officer, REI Cooperative Action Fund, Advancing the movement the ensure everyone can experience the health and wellness benefits of nature

Janelle Choi Hillhouse is a founding Program Officer at the REI Cooperative Action Fund, where she leads partnerships and grantmaking initiatives that strengthen the connection between nature, health, and community well-being. Her work focuses on philanthropy, nature and health, outdoor access, and cross-sector collaboration, bringing together nonprofits, researchers, healthcare leaders, businesses, and community organizations to drive meaningful change. Janelle is particularly passionate about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the benefits of nature and outdoor recreation and about building partnerships that create healthier, more resilient, and connected communities.

Panelist

Mike Wenrick in

Director of Purpose at PCC Community Markets

For more than 25 years, Mike Wenrick has worked at the intersection of food, farming, public health, and community, supporting healthy communities, farms, and ecosystems.

Mike’s journey in this work began in Honduras, where he served as a Peace Corps volunteer working with coffee-growing communities. He went on to spend 12 years working in Latin America and the Caribbean, leading public health projects with Medical Teams International. Back in the Pacific Northwest, Mike served as Executive Director of Zenger Farm in Portland, Oregon, and helped strengthen regional networks such as the Oregon Community Food Systems Network.

Along the way, Mike has reviewed USDA Community Food Projects grants, served on the New Haven Food Policy Council, worked as a farmers market vendor, and owned and operated Ore Winery in Portland. In 2023, he joined PCC Community Markets as Director of Purpose, helping guide the co-op’s work to advance social, environmental, and economic impact. He currently serves on the boards of the National Organic Coalition, Coalition for Organic and Regenerative Agriculture, and Climate Collaborative.

Across these experiences, Mike has remained committed to cooperating with sector partners to build a healthier, more resilient, and more equitable food system.

Mike lives in Seattle with his partner and two kids and has a lifelong dedication to perfecting the art of pizza making.

Panelist

Dr. Polo DeCano in

Associate Director of Student-Athlete Wellness
University of Washington Intercollegiate Athletics

Dr. Polo DeCano works to carry out the Vision of the Mental Health, Wellness and Performance Program: To be leaders in the NCAA Mental Health, Wellness and Performance space. He collaborates with mental health professionals, coaches, student-athletes, academic leaders, community partners, and virtually all support staff invested in student-athletes' development in all domains of their life. His team provides student-athletes with opportunities to engage in activities known to promote mental health and also connect them with providers when needed. His expertise is in resilience and his passion is promoting mental health among those who might benefit from what he has to offer.

Panelist

Dr. Mohit Nair in

Senior Researcher focused on AI Governance and Ethics; Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Washington
Microsoft

Dr. Mohit Nair is a dedicated researcher and practitioner specializing in AI governance and ethics. Drawing on his professional background at Microsoft, where he focused on practical AI governance and policy frameworks, Mohit bridges the critical gap between industry practice and academia. He brings this applied expertise to the University of Washington, teaching and contributing to courses that equip the next generation of students and technologists to navigate complex ethical landscapes. Passionate about accountability in the tech sector, Mohit is driven by a commitment to ensuring emerging technologies are developed responsibly, transparently, and with a core focus on serving the public good.

Panelist

Amalawa Aiwekhoe in

Industrial Hygienist in Aerospace
Boeing

Amalawa Aiwekhoe works in monitoring, measuring, and evaluating employee exposures to potentially hazardous chemicals in their work processes. He ensures the controls in place are effective in reducing worker exposure to safe levels so they don't develop adverse health effects through their career and come home safe daily

Panelist

Mike Hill in

Building Safer Workplaces Through People, Partnership, and Purpose.
Milgard Windows and Doors

Mike Hill is an Environmental Health & Safety Manager for Milgard Windows and Doors in Fife, Washington. Mike also sits as a Region X VPPPA Board Member, and is a Special Government Employee supporting Federal OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs. He is passionate about advancing workplace safety through team member engagement, proactive risk reduction, and building strong safety leadership. Mike is committed to strengthening collaboration between workers, employers, and safety professionals while expanding the principles of VPP. His focus is on creating sustainable safety cultures where team members have a meaningful voice, organizations continuously improve, and protecting people is recognized as both a core value and a driver of operational excellence.

Panelist

Dr. Micah Glaz in

Global Industrial Hygienist
Meta

Dr. Micah Glaz is a Global Industrial Hygienist with Meta's Global EHS organization, where he leads exposure assessment and hazard control programs worldwide. A chemist with decades of R&D experience, he holds a BS in Chemistry from UC Davis and a PhD in Physical Chemistry from UT Austin. His expertise spans chemical and particulate exposure, noise, ventilation and indoor air quality, and emerging materials and processes. He is passionate about making industrial hygiene anticipatory rather than reactive: designing controls in early, using data to surface risks sooner, and making health and safety knowledge genuinely usable for workers.