Anita Kiteau-Tuiaki

Mentorship Advisor

“I grew up in Tonga and was raised by my mother and maternal grandparents. From a young age, I was taught the importance of having faith in God, serving my family and getting an education. I migrated to the US when I was fifteen for the pursuit of a better life or the “American Dream.”. I received the prestigious Bill Gates scholarship (GMS) upon graduating high school, which promised to pay up to 10 years of my college education. I furthered my education at the University of Utah (U) and earned both my Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Education degrees from there. While at the U, I served as a student leader in various student organizations including the resident halls, student government, student community service clubs, school of business clubs, Pacific Islander student association, LDS sorority, and more. I completed an internship for the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) working at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Washington DC for one of their budget offices. During my college senior year, I created the Education First Mentoring Program (EFMP) at East high school in Salt Lake City, UT, helping Pacific Islander students with college preparation. As a Bill Gates scholar I served as a mentor and ambassador for new scholars and have attended some of the GMS national conferences, as well as being a member of the Asian and Pacific Islander Association (APIA). While pursuing my Master of Education I was a member of the Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education (NASPA) and The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and have presented in some of their national and regional conferences. After graduation with my Master in 2012 I started my professional career as the Resident Director of Wolverine Crossing, a housing complex for students near Utah Valley University. I supervised student leaders and managed all areas of residents’ life ranging from disciplinary conduct to activities.

I became a stay-at-home mom, full time, shortly after starting my career in student affairs. While raising my young children I started my Doctor of Education (Ed.D) at Northcentral University emphasizing in Higher Education Leadership. My research is on the retention of Pacific Islander college students. I am passionate about helping my fellow Pacific Islanders, specially the youth and college students.  I am currently on my last year of my doctoral program working on my dissertation. I also continue to serve in my local church wherever I live and specifically with the youth. Recently, I started a family business with my husband in general contractor services. I manage most of the finances, and marketing and administrative duties. I hope to continue to give back to my Pacific Islander communities as a transparent leader, through service and sharing my experiences, particularly promoting the importance of getting a higher education. Education, after all, is the difference-maker that enables many of us to serve and bless, not only our lives, but others.”

Aukeem Ballard

Bio coming soon.

Dane Carlson

Mentorship Advisor

Born on raised in Kāneʻohe, Hawaiʻi, Dane is committed to serving his beloved island community.  As a graduate of Kamehameha schools, Dane aspires to fulfill the vision of its founder--Bernice Pauahi Bishop--to create opportunity through educational equity.  It is a kuleana (responsibility) that has segued into a journey from middle school teacher to program specialist developing culture-based education PD for Hawaiʻi educators; and most recently, serving as the current Portfolio Manager of educational planning and reporting for a local, non-profit school.  

In addition to serving on the SPIO Advisory Council, Dane also serves on the Native Alliance Initiative Advisory Council, Voyager Charter School Board and the Child & Family Services Social Guild.

Elora Raymond

Bio coming soon.

Jazmine Anastacio

Executive and Mentorship Advisor

Jazmine was breathed into life on Ohlone land, nurtured with inafa'maolek in Saipan, and is rooted by Oceanic ancestry in Belau. As a passionate advocate for youth, she has served various non-profits and schools by developing and sustaining culturally responsive and trauma informed programs. Though focused primarily in STEAM, she is committed to restoring and centering Indigenous knowledge and practices in all curriculum and policies. In addition to the SPIO Advisory Council, she is a member of the Research Advisory Board for Alliance for Girls, and TechEquity Collaborative.

June Siaosi

Mentorship Advisor

June Siaosi is a recent graduate of Saint Martin’s University holding a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology, she soon hopes to obtain her Masters of Education at UW fall 2020. During her undergrad, June helped co-create SMU’s first Pacific Islanders Club that brought a sense of “home” away from home and educate students about the cultures and traditions of the Pasefika, and gave space for members to experience and express leadership through annual conferences such as Asia American and Pacific Islanders Reaching their Potential through Education (ASPIRE), and Students of Color Conference (SoCC) and self-identity workshops. June engaged with mentoring first-years with academic studies and being a pillar of support for students during their transition from high school-to-college. Her experience has poured into her job that she is currently at now, Degrees of Change. Born and raised in Tacoma, Washington- where the Pacific Northwest is home to the 3rd largest Pacific Islander community, June sought out the opportunity to serve her hometown and support the young pasefika scholars reach their full potential. 

Karla Blessing Savaliolefilemu Thomas

Mentorship Advisor

Karla Blessing Savaliolefilemu Thomas was born in Santa Ana, CA and raised in San Bernardino, CA. She is the eldest child of 3 to a Samoan mother and Aymara-Bolivian father. She is a 2019 graduate from the University of California Los Angeles where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. Karla is now a first year graduate student at the University of Southern California pursuing her Masters of Public Health. As an undergraduate, Karla served as President of UCLA's Pacific Islands' Student Association (PISA) from 2016 to 2019, where she engaged in student activism, initiating the Protect Mauna Kea movement at UCLA and hosting workshops and presentations on P.I. issues at national conferences. Karla was also a member of the eleventh cohort of the Pacific Islander Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT) Summer Institute. She is passionate about increasing matriculation rates for Pacific Islanders in higher education and addressing mental/physical health issues in the Pacific Islander community. 

Natasha Guerrero

Executive Advisor

Hafa Adai! My name is Natasha Guerrero, familian Guerrero (Liberato- Dededo), familian Rosario (Siboyas- Barrigada/Yona), yan familian Cruz (ChiChi- Barrigada). I am a native CHamoru from the beautiful island of Guam and relocated to Seattle, Washington in 2013. I hold an EdS in Education and I'm pursuing my doctoral degree. My passion starts with advocating for our Pacific Islander children to have access to high quality education transcending to adulthood. I sit on the education advisory board for North Seattle College, a member of the Inclusion Academy recognized by Harvard University, and an education professional at HK, Fred Hutch. My current passion project initiatives include developing quality and inclusive education programs and policy standards for Guam and elevating Pacific Islander voices in the mainland. 

Patterson K. Shed

Executive Advisor

Born July 15, 1970 and raised on Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, Patterson Shed is currently serving as the Regional Coordinator for the USAID Climate Ready Project since November 2017 to present. Climate Ready serves as technical assistance program funded by USAID to provide assistance to eleven Pacific countries with their readiness program priorities in key areas such as National Implementing Entity accreditation support and for climate finance access and project proposal design and development. It also provides capacity development support in each of the countries in the areas of project management and project preparation training programs. Mr. Shed, previously appointed by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to head up the FSM GEF-Small Grants Programme as its first National Coordinator and oversaw the nationalization transition of the Programme.

Mr. Shed assumed leadership of the SGP programme in early February 2013 until November 2017. His work involved coordination of grant making support and guidance to communities and NGOs in the FSM to access the GEF SGP funding resources. Intermittently he facilitated transition support to Palau and the Marshall Islands in the development of their separate stand-alone SGP Programmes done successfully. Mr. Shed, prior to SGP appointment worked for the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the FSM Department of Resources and Development to direct the FSM Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) project as the project Manager, has built a passionate conservation and natural resource management career spanning more than ten years of experience in a number of leadership and management positions. He served as Executive Director of the Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP), premier grass roots conservation NGO in the FSM. He had led adaptive team management building, strategic planning and fundraising, project design and management, and effective team partnership developments to achieve targeted results. He strongly advocated for community-based solutions and involvement for sustainable development, good governance and fundamental community participation for a progressive development society. He was also a former member of the Micronesians in Island Conservation (MIC) network for leaders in conservation.

Prior to his NGO conservation service, Mr. Shed served in the College of Micronesia-FSM as Coordinator of student services and campus life enrichment program. Earlier in his career, he served 8 years in the United States Arm Forces (ARMY) military service from 1989-1997. His community service includes serving in the Pohnpei Lions Club and served as its Club President from 2005-2006, founded and chartered a youth community-based organization called MLMDA in his community and served as its Founding President from 2003-2004 and also served on the Micronesia Bound Incorporated Board of Directors in service for at risk youth program from 2001-2003. He served two terms as district level representative in the Madolenihmw Municipal Government Legislature which he chaired the standing committee on Education consecutively from 2005-2013. Also recently appointed by the Pohnpei State Governor and confirmed by the Pohnpei State Legislature to serve on the State Ethics Commission.

Mr. Shed speaks Pohnpeian as native tongue and English fluently and Kosraean as second language. He is married to Mrs. Adleen Shed and a happy father of three sons as well as a grandfather.

Pefi Kingi QSM

Governance Advisor

Mahofihofi atu e tau manatau fakaalofa [Great Love Extended, Vagahau Niue/Niue language]. Fakaaue atu/Thank You for the pleasure of supporting the dynamic SPIO; and commendations for the initiative to serve Pacific peoples on this coast.  I am passionate about Pacific Development. My background is in education, mental health, public health and civil society development; with indigenous language activism, social justice and other thrown in. If it’s about the People, then one can never go wrong. Currently, I am committed to the migration of Pacific peoples, and in particular, climate induced migration and displacement. I sit/represent Pacific on a few groups – global, regional, national and local. This helps to further clarify thinking about the gaps in the Pacific region and the key strategic directions that must be taken in order to mitigate and adapt to the current environmental risks.  I have great love for the Pacific and I must do my part to ensure my Grand Daughter and her Grand Daughter know they can make a difference and contribute to the best Pacific Legacy ever. As a Mother, I can only demonstrate best practice so that my Daughter and her Daughter know that they have the power to make a difference. Kia monuina/blessings to SPIO and Pacificans everywhere.

Dr. Sereana Naepi

Mentorship Advisor

Dr. Sereana Naepi is passionate about Pacific peoples being able to engage and be successful in whatever field they choose. Part of her commitment to that has been to mentor and research in the fields of Pacific people and higher education. Sereana has over a decades experience mentoring Indigenous students in both Aotearoa New Zealand and Canada. 

Lorayma Taula

Mentorship Advisor

Born in Australia, raised in Victoria and Samoa. Lorayma believes in the importance of Pacific Islander people pursuing their dreams, serving their respective communities and leading their lives in celebration and honour of their heritage. Based in Melbourne, she is currently a doctoral candidate at Deakin University, researching the transnational place-making, experiences and identity of Pasifika youth in Australia and Samoa. Lorayma holds a B.A.(Hons) in Sociology and Media and Communication from Deakin University. In her spare time, she serves on Deakin University’s Pasifika Association and the DPC’s Youth-Led Participatory Grant Program, and volunteers in Melbourne’s South East Pasifika Youth Leadership Group and Learning Support Program.

Sharon Mail Kanichy

Mentorship Advisor

Sharon Mail Kanichy is the WSUAA (Washington State University Alumni Association) Ku-Au-Mah President and a member of the Makah Higher Education Committee. Sharon has 14 years experience as a high school teacher at Neah Bay Secondary, having taught History and Spanish. She also has 1 year of administrative experience as the assistant general manager of the Makah Tribe.

Terri Register | Advisor

Why are you volunteering for SPIO?

I enjoyed volunteering with the organization in the past, and would love to continue that support.

Bio

Terri has served in the nonprofit sector in many roles including Program Associate, Grants Facilitator, Administrator, Trainer, and Board Member. Terri’s priority areas include Sustainability, Economic Development, and Human Services. Her expertise includes grantmaking, administration, program development, and impact evaluation. She has worked as a Grants Facilitator for the U.S. Office of Justices Programs (OJP) which oversees many branch offices including the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Coordinated Tribal Assistance Program (CTAS), Office of Victims of Crime (OVC), and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). She has coordinated programs in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Oceania and has implemented administrative systems to increase efficiency in grantmaking processes and monitoring impact. Additionally, Terri has helped organizations position themselves for receiving and maintaining funding. She has a passion for increasing the capacity and visibility of organizations by engaging new prospective partners. In her spare time, she enjoys community volunteering, hiking mountains, traveling abroad, painting landscapes, running 5K's, learning languages, watching arthouse films, and trying new recipes.

Tristia Bauman

Executive Advisor

Born in Auckland, New Zealand and raised in Washington State, Tristia Bauman is a Tongan-American with a passion for social justice. She is a senior attorney at the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty in Washington D.C. where she combines impact litigation, policy advocacy, and public education strategies to prevent and end homelessness. Previously, she worked as an Assistant Public Defender in the Miami-Dade County, Florida criminal justice system, which helped to lay the foundation for her current work as a national expert on the criminalization of poverty. In addition to being a civil rights advocate, Tristia is the proud mom of a rambunctious kindergartner who is the joy of her life. She is also an avid, if amateur, musician and dancer. She holds her B.A. and J.D. from the University of Washington.