The Russell Family Foundation Introduces Class 13 of Jane’s Fellowship Program

15 local changemakers building a stronger Pierce County selected for year-long fellowship

January 13, 2025 (Gig Harbor, Wash.) – The Russell Family Foundation (TRFF) today announced the Class 13 cohort of Jane’s Fellowship Program (JFP), which uplifts grassroots, community-rooted leaders across Pierce County working on a wide range of local priorities and solutions.

“We’re proud to welcome Jane’s Fellowship Class 13, a remarkable group of leaders who reflect the depth of talent, lived experience, and grassroots strength across Pierce County,” said Terrance McGehee, fellowship program lead at The Russell Family Foundation. “This program is a chance to stand alongside them, support their work, and help strengthen the networks that make community change possible.”

Class 13 brings together 15 Fellows strengthening their communities by tackling urgent challenges—expanding access to housing, advancing birth equity, closing the college achievement gap, defending immigrant rights, supporting trauma recovery, and advancing whole-person health.

The 15 Fellows will take part in a year-long curriculum focused on hands-on learning, relationship-building, and leadership growth. Through workshops, peer exchange, and community-based experiences, fellows will deepen their networks, strengthen their ability to tackle root challenges, and broaden their understanding of the issues shaping life across Pierce County.

Since the program’s inception, the Foundation has supported 144 Fellows.

Class 13 Fellows include:

Avery Jahleel Akeem Channel, a Tacoma native who is often referred to as Jahleel or AC, is a Junior at Evergreen Tacoma pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree, with aspirations to explore teaching and entrepreneurship. Avery is passionate about music, dance, and the arts, and is a strong advocate for child safety, mental health, and physical activity. When not studying, Avery spends time at the gym and is dedicated to creating a better life for himself and his daughter.

Brian Gatewood Sr. serves as the founder and CEO of Innovative Change Makers, a youth-focused organization launched in 2022 to provide mentorship, opportunities, and support for young people. Born in Seattle and now rooted in Tacoma, Brian is committed to service, leadership, and building spaces where youth and families feel seen and empowered. Under Brian’s guidance, Innovative Change Makers operates nine programs across Pierce County, known for its youth-led approach and strong community partnerships. Brian is a certified peer counselor, community leader, and proud parent, driven by a commitment to uplifting others through education, mentorship, advocacy, and hands-on support.

Carina Gallardo is passionate about supporting her community, having lived and worked for over 20 years in East Tacoma. She advocates for housing equity and accessibility, working to break down barriers for people regardless of background or income. Carina has facilitated workshops for parents of teenagers, helping families strengthen relationships and navigate challenges. She organizes inclusive cultural and recreational events, bringing communities together. As a radio host, Carina promotes these events and workshops, using her favorite hobby to connect and uplift others.

Casey Wayne Parrott is dedicated to closing the achievement gap for students of color, low-income families, and first-generation college students. As a first-generation graduate himself, Casey earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and has spent the past eight years supporting nonprofits and student-facing programs in Tacoma. Casey excels at connecting students with resources and mentoring them beyond high school. Outside of work, Casey enjoys time with his spouse, three children, and a mischievous dog.

Christney Kpodo, a proud Tacoma native, youth advocate, public speaker, and community leader with over 15 years of experience in youth development. With a psychology degree from Pacific Lutheran University, Christney serves as an equity specialist for the Bethel School District, working to remove systemic barriers and support student and family success. As Vice President of Empower Youth Futures, Christney helps provide housing diversion, education pathways, and mental health supports for youth and young adults. Christney also trains teens in mental health first aid and invests time and expertise into the community, striving to equip youth and families with the tools and confidence to build fulfilling lives.

Emily Chandler is a Tacoma-born community and public health nurse dedicated to serving the community that raised her. Emily supervises the Black Infant Health program, leading efforts to uplift Black birthing families and advance birth equity. With years of experience in leadership, program development, and community outreach, Emily supports people in crisis and integrates physical and behavioral health care. Guided by equity and partnership, Emily believes communities hold the knowledge needed to thrive.

Jayden David Royal is a Blackfoot Indigenous descendant whose strengths are rooted in the legacies of her grandmothers. Born in Washington, Jayden’s tribal heritage is from the Blackfoot Nation in Standoff, Alberta, Canada. Raised by a grandmother who survived Native American boarding schools, Jayden is a creative force working to empower Indigenous healing from generational trauma through peer counseling and music. Jayden advocates for accurate Native American history, addresses complex trauma, and prioritizes sustainable housing as a key to recovery.

Konika “Kay” Clemons is a Tacoma native who has helped build creative businesses in the city’s urban community as a multimedia designer with 20 years of experience. Kay’s career includes work with KOMO 4TV, NBC, Emerald Queen Casino, Murano Hotel, and Tacoma Rescue Mission. Specializing in event planning for large exhibitions and audiovisual events, Kay completed the Spaceworks business incubator and now manages an art studio in South Tacoma. Kay is committed to developing artist support and education programs for underrepresented families, using creative outlets to foster growth.

Kenya Adams, born and raised on Tacoma’s Eastside, is an artist, curator, educator, and advocate for collective growth. Kenya’s work is rooted in a love of learning and community connection, with a focus on education, art, and policy advocacy. As founder of The EAST Collective, Kenya fosters collaboration among artists, educators, and community members to expand access to learning and amplify creative voices. Kenya’s leadership is dedicated to building spaces where education, art, and advocacy intersect to inspire transformation.

Monique Ferrer is a community-centered leader who values connection, healing, and the relationships that hold communities together. Over the past ten years in Washington, Monique’s work has spanned education, organizing, and support services, helping young people, families, and partners navigate complex systems. Monique leads with empathy and honesty, focusing on building trust, improving communication, and keeping people at the center of every decision. In her spare time, Monique enjoys creating art, trying new foods, and spending time with loved ones.

Michelle Aviva Puller-Stoto is a former street kid, single parent, and nontraditional student studying biomedical sciences at UWT. Michelle is passionate about mutual aid, harm reduction, and closing gaps in care for underserved communities. Through work with The Ethereal Well, Michelle supports people experiencing trauma as a certified peer specialist and brings trauma-informed training to service on the OCVE committee and volunteer work with Envision Hospice. Michelle is known as the neighborhood mom whose door is always open, and volunteers at TACID as the Telling Your Story volunteer.

Mikey Koert is a writer, musician, and spouse to a loving and supportive wife, living in Tacoma after a journey through Pennsylvania, Kansas, Georgia, and Arizona. Mikey’s work with Common Good Tacoma is dedicated to supporting and uplifting people living on the streets by meeting daily survival needs. Mikey is also a parent to a lively group of pets and is passionate about building community.

Ovunayo X is a father, third-generation Black Panther, and founding member of the Washington State Chapter of the Black Panther Party. Based in Tacoma, Ovunayo is a community organizer, educator, and strategist working on the ancestral lands of the spuyaləpabš. Since re-establishing the chapter in 2020, Ovunayo has expanded community survival work throughout Washington and Oregon, organizing food and clothing distribution, harm-reduction outreach, youth leadership development, and neighborhood patrols. Guided by principles of revolutionary intercommunalism and solidarity, Ovunayo builds coalitions rooted in love, service, and collective liberation.

Perla Gamboa is an immigrant from Peru and Pierce County resident for over 20 years who is a passionate advocate for immigrant rights and language justice. Perla’s work spans academia, government, and community spaces, including leadership on the Tacoma Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs and mentoring DACA students. Committed to equity, Perla has strengthened statewide policies on access and accessibility, drawing on her own journey navigating government services in a second language. Perla values partnerships across agencies and communities, celebrating diverse voices and working collectively for belonging and flourishing. Outside of work, Perla enjoys time with family, singing, dancing, traveling, crafting, and nurturing plants.

Raquel Campuzano, CHW, CPC, is a resilient force in the Puget Sound region, raised in Prosser, Wash. As a Latina professional and Certified Community Health Worker, Raquel builds bridges for whole-person health, leveraging expertise in bilingual outreach and civic empowerment to drive systems change. Raquel’s leadership is rooted in the belief that adversity shapes resilience, and she has empowered over 1,400 individuals through outreach and community events. Raquel serves on the WA State CHW Leadership Committee and joins Jane’s Fellowship Class 13 to amplify her strategic voice and connect with fellow change-makers. Outside of advocacy, Raquel enjoys traveling, reading, and exploring the mountains with her dogs.

To learn more, visit https://trff.org/programs/janes-fellowship/

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About The Russell Family Foundation

The Russell Family Foundation (TRFF) invests in people and places to advance environmental sustainability and address the climate crisis. Its vision is to support a thriving, equitable, and sustainable earth. It does so through its commitment to Net Zero in its investment portfolio and operations, grantmaking programs in environmental education and food for climate solutions, and a leadership development program for grassroots leaders in Pierce County. Founded by George and Jane Russell, TRFF has been a way for extended family members to make a positive philanthropic impact locally, regionally, and globally since 1999. For more information, visit www.trff.org.

Jane’s Fellowship Program is named for Jane T. Russell, a community leader and businesswoman from Tacoma and co-founder of The Russell Family Foundation, whose life’s mission was to improve Pierce County by investing in its people.

For more information, please visit: https://trff.org/programs/janes-fellowship/