TU Staff & Board

Kylin Parks, Program Manager & Community Organizer: A veteran organizer of manufactured housing organizing, Kylin brings her significant skills and experience to work at the TU providing technical assistance for the Benson East Tenants Association. She also coordinates the TU’s Education and Membership programs. Kylin maintains joy in the face of the world’s challenges.

Stina Janssen, Community Organizer: Stina started with the TU as our Volunteer Coordinator, then went on to organize with TU members to win a Healthy Housing Inspection Program in Seattle, to pass part of the Fair Tenant Screening Act. Originally from the Olympic Peninsula, Stina draws strength from the legacy of organizing and resistance in Northwest communities and from tenants everywhere, and brings her passion, analysis, commitment to racial and economic justice, respect for TU member leaders, and Western Institute for Leadership Development training to work every day.

Terri Anderson, STOP Community Organizer:

Jonathan Grant, Executive Director: A tireless tenant advocate, Jonathan has worked at the National Coalition for the Homeless, Housing Justice Project and Solid Ground Tenant Services. He became Director of the TU in 2010 and is invested in ensuring continued growth and stability for the TU. Jonathan has counseled over 3,000 tenants across Washington on the best practices to assert their rights, and is a voting member of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance State Legislative Committee. He holds a strong vision for housing justice and is a workhorse for the future of tenants’ rights in Washington State.

Eliana Horn, STOP Community Organizer:

Emil Paddison, Grant Writer: Emil was a Community Organizer for the Section 8 Tenants Organizing Project from 2003 – 2009 and was Deputy Director of the TU 2011-2013. Emil currently writes grants and provides organizational support for the Tenants Union on a contract basis. Emil is also the author of the TU website. To make comments on the website, email emilp [at] tenantsunion.org.

Corey Snelson, President: Corey came to the TU because of a housing concern that left her sick and in search of resources. She became actively involved in the TU’s Healthy Housing Organizing work and was a key part of the core leadership group that has won huge victories for Seattle tenants. She has a PhD from Vanderbilt University in Developmental Neurobiology and is currently pursuing a post-doctoral position in sensory neuron development. She is working to increase awareness within the community regarding scientific progress, encouraging scientists to interact with their governmental leaders, and is a leader for the Forum on Science, Ethics, and Policy group at UW dedicated to scientific outreach with the community. When not working on advocacy or developmental biology, she is weeding in the Ballard P-patch Giving Garden, spinning, knitting, and hiking.

Sylvia Sabon: Section 8 tenant Sylvia Sabon joined the TU board to help all low income renters protect their rights. She is an activist within her Native community, and has been a leader at both the Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition (WROC), Got Green? and LELO. She got involved in the TU while speaking for a friend at the Douglas Apartments campaign, which won relocation assistance for tenants in SE Seattle facing displacement.

Lynn Sereda: Lynn is an experienced activist, tenant advocate, and Section 8 voucher holder. Lynn was a leader in the Section 8 Tenants Organizing Project campaign to bring accountability to decision-makers at Seattle Housing Authority in the Section 8 Voucher Grievance Hearing campaign. She is interested in expanding the TU’s work with Section 8 voucher holders.

Omar Barraza, Vice President: Vicente Omar Barraza joins the TU board as a passionate advocate for equity and social justice with nearly twenty years of experience working in affordable housing, government, and civil rights agencies prior to becoming an attorney. Omar is a strong advocate for the continued growth of the Tenants Union’s Education Program.

Rick Harrison, Treasurer: Former President of Seattle Housing Authority’s Resident Action Council, Rick is a leader in Low Income Public Housing and a tenant interested in creating accountability for Public Housing Authorities and creating a voice for low income tenants at the table. Rick is also on the board of Northwest Justice Project.

Elizabeth Stonehill, Secretary: Liz is the Controller at Columbia Legal Services and is helping the TU by sharing her knowledge of the financial aspects of running a non-profit. She brings in-depth knowledge of accounting practices and financial statement preparation to the TU board.

In Memorium — Bette Reed, President: Bette was the President of the Tenants Union board and was an active part of the Tenants Union for over 7 years. Her leadership was instrumental as a part of a core group of tenants organizing to bring accountability to Seattle Housing Authority and reform the Section 8 grievance hearing process. A resident of the Seattle Senior Housing Program building Blakely Manor, Bette was extremely active in her building. She was also a wonderful cook, an avid knitter, and a longtime activist with Puget Sound Advocates for Retired Action. She had a quick wit, sharp political analysis, and an incredibly loving personality. Bette carried the torch for the Tenants Union through years of advocacy on the Rental Housing Inspection Program, which passed Seattle City Council. We would like to dedicate this tremendous victory in her honor, and in gratitude for her hard work, dedication, and deep passion for social justice. She was fierce advocate and a good, good friend