Who We Are
The Seattle Human Rights Commission consists of 21 representative residents of Seattle appointed to serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor, City Council, Seattle Office for Civil Rights, and other Seattle City departments in matters affecting human rights. Eight commissioners are appointed by the Mayor, eight are appointed by the City Council, and four are appointed by the Commission. Commissioners are appointed to a two year term of office and serve without pay. The 21st member joins the Commission each year through Get Engaged, a leadership development program for 18-29 year olds.
The Seattle Office for Civil Rights provides staff and support to the Commission.
Meet Our Commissioners
Phil Lewis
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Phil Lewis is a dedicated community leader with over a decade of experience advocating for youth empowerment, social justice, and inclusive leadership development. As Pastor of Youth and Community at Union Presbyterian Church, he founded a queer-affirming spirituality program, expanding mentorship and engagement opportunities for young people. He has coordinated high-impact community initiatives, secured over $100,000 in grants, and worked closely with nonprofits to advance equity and systemic change. Phil holds a Master’s in Reconciliation and Intercultural Studies from Seattle Pacific University and is passionate about advancing equity, human rights, and systemic transformation in Seattle and beyond.
Koumudi Phadake
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Koumudi Phadake identifies as an Indian-American woman and has resided in the Greater Seattle area for over 10 years. Her academic pursuits at the University of Washington helped her develop a strong EDI&B (equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging) philosophy that has defined her commitment to the growth and livability of Seattle residents and workers.
An advocate for the working class, Koumudi supported unionizing and picketing efforts through work with MLK Labor and the Washington State Labor Council. The experience emboldened her to develop a foundational understanding of internal human resource operations, to help achieve her goal of creating diverse and equitable workplaces that put the people first. Koumudi also has lived experience, which has only served to deepen her advocacy of housing first and harm reduction policies. Her career ambitions and experience consequently brought her to Mary’s Place, where she currently provides data-driven human resource support to employees serving families experiencing homelessness.
In August of 2024, Koumudi began her tenure as a commissioner of the Seattle Human Rights Commission, where she contributes to the City of Seattle’s vision for human rights and social justice.
