OUR TEAM
joseph phillips, program manager , young entrepreneur project (he/him)
Joseph is the Program Manager for the Young Entrepreneur Project or YEP.He has a degree in both Special Education K-12 and General Education K-8. He has taken all of these valuable experiences to become a successful entrepreneur through the power of STEM technology. He believes to elevate a entrepreneur’s mind is to educate and provide tools for them to access the world and beyond through entrepreneurs using/accessing STEM skills.
Katherine barr, Executive director of operations, (she/her)
Katherine brings over 15 years experience building infrastructure, programs, and resources to support nonprofits working toward educational equity. She has been with SPIN for four years, recruited after she completed her work as founding Director of both the Southeast Seattle Education Coalition and Global Washington. She has her Master of Public Administration from the Evans School at the University of Washington and her Bachelor from Reed College in Portland, OR.
Mercedes Montgomery,
Young Entrepreneurs project, program coordinator
Mercedes Montgomery is a dynamic entrepreneur and advocate with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Human Resources. Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to nurturing creativity in youth shine through her work, especially with those interested in the arts and entrepreneurship. As the Director of Music and Arts at Seattle’s Center for Faith Art and Justice, Mercedes blends her business acumen with her artistic vision to empower the next generation
Mercedes Montgomery, also known as Lady Mercedes, is a musical powerhouse whose versatility transcends genres. From gospel to blues, soul to R&B, and country to classical, her voice effortlessly navigates the musical landscape, leaving an indelible mark on every note.
As the Director of Celebration Arts & Administration at Valley and Mountain UMC, she crafts musical experiences that seamlessly blend the sacred and the soulful, creating memorable and transformative performances.
For Lady Mercedes, music is more than a performance—it's a mission. Her gospel roots are the foundation of her purpose, as she uses her gift to spread joy, inspiration, and unity.
Shana beckwith, executive director of education, (she/her)
Shana has been with SPIN since 2016. However, her passion for education and advocacy for youth spans her 20+ years in the field. Shana was born and raised in SE Seattle where she continues to mentor and inspire African American youth. Whether it's building makerspaces in elementary schools or starting all- girls robotics teams; Shana excels at providing exceptional educational opportunities for young people. She is a graduate of the University of Washington (Bachelor in English) and American University in Washington, DC (Master of Teaching). Her favorite things in life are science fiction books, action movies, and her nephews.
Alicia rice, spin fellows program manager ii (she/her)
Alicia brings over 10 years of scientific research and 5 years of teaching expertise to the SPIN Fellows program. With a PhD in biology from the University of Washington Alicia has not only a passion for, but a first hand experience in completing a degree in STEM education. She is excited to bring her own background in STEM to the SPIN Fellows program.
Lauren Cantos, Spin Girls Program Coordinator
Lauren is a dedicated educator and environmental justice advocate. She graduated with a B.S. in Ecology and Conservation Biology, and has a strong background in STEM, youth mentorship, and community outreach. In her previous opportunities she played a key role in fostering inclusive and equitable environments within the environmental sector. She is passionate about connecting people to outdoor spaces and building community. In her free time you can often find her exploring the outdoors and trying new restaurants. For her, food is a form of art, adventure, and a way to connect with others. She is excited to bring her passions for working with youth and environmental justice as a Program Coordinator for the SPIN Girls program!
soham sengupta, spin enrich, program manager
Soham Sengupta is the Program Manager at SPIN Enrich and a proud first generation graduate from the University of Minnesota (Go Gophers!). Having lived abroad for his formative years; a trip to a local bookstore would often be the only option for his parents to pick up phrasebooks (this was an era preceding Smartphones & Google Translate). While they browsed through those bulky books, he was drawn to the bright colorful science books with illustrations and diagrams. His love for science and learning was born from here.
He has previously taught in the classroom as a Kindergarten, 1st & 3rd Grade teacher and served as an Assistant Principal. There, he got to work with some of the most incredible young people he's ever met and saw what is possible when students are held to high expectations in a warm and inclusive environment. He has been in education ever since.
He completed his Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington (Go Dawgs!) and his work continues to fuel his passion for education and learning - ensuring other English Language Learner students like him have access to high-quality STEM learning experiences.
When he's not exploring the Pacific Northwest one hike (or one bowl of Ramen) at a time, he can be found parked in front of a TV on weekends watching college and pro sports.
Aliyah Musaliar, SPIN Girls Program manager II, (Any pronouns)
Aliyah brings over 6 years of expertise in teaching, mentorship, and community engagement to their role as Program Coordinator for SPIN Girls. Guided by the Ambedkarite principle of "educate, agitate, and organize", Aliyah views education as a powerful force for driving movements for justice and liberation.
Holding a BA in Ethics and Law, Societies & Justice from the University of Washington, Aliyah served as a student advisor for the latter department. A passionate advocate for visual and oral storytelling, their work in radio journalism has earned recognition from the Association of LGBTQ Journalists, The New York Times, and the Alliance for Women in Media.
Dionna Washington, Office Manager(she/Her)
Dionna Washington is a dedicated professional currently serving as the Office Manager at Stem Paths Innovation Network. She also leads the Women and Girls Ministry at Holgate Street Church of Christ. Recognized for her exceptional commitment to patient care, Dionna was nominated for the UW Cares Award during her tenure at Harborview Medical Center.
A Seattle native, Dionna is passionate about giving back to the underserved and supporting the youth in her community. In her free time, she finds joy in outdoor walks and singing.
Cheyanne Chadwick, PROGRAM COORDINATOR, HEART@WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY
Originally from the Treasure State, Cheyanne discovered the transformative power of performing arts at her local children's theatre. She attended the University of Montana where she received dual degrees in Elementary Education and Theatre Education. She was also awarded Forward Montana's 25 under 25 Award and the university's Presidential Senior Recognition Award.
Upon relocating to Seattle five years ago, Cheyanne infused her kindergarten classroom with elements of storytelling and community-building. She believes in the power of collaborative learning and strives to create inclusive environments where every voice is heard. In her downtime, Cheyanne is an avid hostess, delighting in the opportunity to bring people together for memorable events, and a devoted Dungeon Master, running of D&D for her friends. You can often find her curled up with a good book or enjoying quality time with her beloved pup, Goblin.
With a passion for empowering the next generation of leaders and creators, Cheyanne is dedicated to creating positive change in the world—one child, one story, and one connection at a time.