Customer Review Panel

Amanda Richer is a displacement consultant based in Seattle, WA. She is the Co-Founder of Shelterapp. She works closely with local organizations One Health Clinic, Healthcare Network for the Homeless, Runta News, and others. She also provides supplies for outreach to those in need. She is on the board of directors for National Healthcare for the Homeless Council, National Coalition for the Homeless, and many other advisory boards locally, regionally, and nationally. She is a nationally known public speaker, advocate, and educator. She is also an artist and photographer through Manda J Artistry. Her core belief is the right of every being to thrive in their world.

Miki Sodos is a small-business owner in Seattle. She is a 30-year veteran of the food service industry, and she co-owns Bang Bang Kitchen in Rainier Valley and Bang Bang Café in Belltown. Originally from New Mexico, she moved to Seattle in 2002 after graduating from the University of New Mexico with a political science degree. She has been a vocal advocate for small business issues and a participant in social and small business causes. Miki is interested in providing equal quality of services to all Seattle neighborhoods and increasing education about clean water issues, particularly in marginalized communities.

Nafiso Samatar works as President of the Somali Independent Business Alliance (SIBA). She has a long history of helping small businesses, especially in minority, immigrant, and refugee communities, as well as coordinating with the City of Seattle and increasing access to essential city services. For the past 20 years, she has focused on empowering these communities by helping them navigate city services. SIBA has established strong relationships with local governments, regional organizations, chambers of commerce, and community organizations. Nafiso is interested in helping with outreach to small businesses to educate them about the benefits of sustainability and conservation efforts, such as improving water-use efficiency, to reduce their Utility costs.

Robin is a South Park resident, heavily involved in the Duwamish community through Duwamish River Community Coalition, Concord Elementary PTA, Duwamish Valley Affordable Housing Coalition, Georgetown Community Council, Georgetown Neighborhood Center Visioning Group, and South Park Neighborhood Association. Robin is very interested in climate resilience in the Duwamish Valley and equitable outreach, particularly for those most impacted, such as renters and low-income community members.

Manav Goel works in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood, as Technical Lead in the Social Impact organization at Meta. He is a board member of Sound Generations and past board member of the organization, Hey Mentor. Manav has strong interests in upgrading the Utility infrastructure for climate resilience, enhancing the innovation cycle of “circular economy” (which focuses on reusing, repurposing, and recycling) by the strategic use of waste as a resource, and the use of information technologies (including artificial intelligence and social media platforms) to improve organizational performance and ensure equitable community engagement.

Allison Mettler, a resident of the Lawton Park neighborhood, is working as an intern for SPU’s Water Efficiency Team. She also volunteers for Friends of Discovery Park. Allison has strong interests in improving water quality through stormwater runoff management and removing barriers to electronic waste collection. She would also like to find effective ways of communicating SPU priorities to newcomers and others who may not have adequate access through current information campaigns

Gretchen is the Salmon Recovery Coordinator for Snohomish County. Gretchen is interested in Puget Sound ecosystem recovery, specifically addressing water quality issues - contaminants of emerging concern (e.g., PAHs, PBDEs). She describes herself as: a “renter who has worked with landlords to implement updates for resource conservation (water, heating); professional interested in supporting activities to recover our endangered species and restore our salmon runs on the brink of listing; volunteer invested in sharing knowledge and passion for Puget Sound environs with others; individual with deep love for our shared environment.” SPU is excited and honored that each has chosen to volunteer and help make Seattle a healthier, stronger, and more affordable place for everyone.

Ebony Rose Frazier serves as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator for King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, where she leads efforts to ensure accessibility and compliance with the ADA across jail facilities. In this role, she develops ADA-compliant policies and training, collaborates with leadership to expand accessibility, and provides consultation on urgent accessibility needs. Ebony has a master’s degree in Public Administration from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington. She is the Chairperson of the Board for Gifts of Hope, serves on the Executive Board of the Umoja P.E.A.C.E. Center, and is the co-lead and designer of the Black Women’s Experience Project, an enterprise-wide initiative focused on improving the experiences of Black women in King County government. In her work, she brings her expertise in equity, accessibility, and anti-racism to help model inclusive, equitable practices and strengthen the connection between community and local government.

Raj Kumar spent more than 35 years directing process improvements and managing energy, water, and waste reduction for 20 manufacturing plants and corporate headquarters of Nestle Purina, bringing them to zero waste to landfills. He currently spends his time volunteering with AARP on tax preparation for low-income seniors in Seattle, working with youth at Northwest Education Access, and growing food in his P-Patch for Mary’s Place and Ballard Food Bank. Raj is passionate about waste reduction, energy and water conservation to make our world better for future generations. He moved to Seattle about five years ago to get closer to his grandchildren. He has observed that City of Seattle recycles and composts its waste, and Raj would like to take this even to higher levels by smart recycling and “educating” its residents.

Jeremy is a civil engineer with hands-on expertise in utility infrastructure, operations, and technical challenges. A Seattle resident for over 30 years and a licensed professional since 1998, he engages with SPU both professionally and as a community member. Jeremy is deeply committed to ensuring the city’s infrastructure is resilient, thoughtfully planned, and built to serve the needs of all residents.

Rita is a retired technical writer, teacher, artist, and community advocate with deep ties to older adults, working families, and BIPOC communities. She is on the board of commissioners for the Seattle Housing Authority and is a past president of the Mayor's Council on African American Elders. Rita combines creativity and technical rigor with a strong equity lens. She is passionate about the accessibility of clean water and sanitation to vulnerable populations and is an advocate for environmental health issues like the persistence of microplastics.