Meet CRB!
Mona Han
(she/her/hers)
Executive Director
Mona proudly founded CRB in 2009 and in addition to her many duties in her role as ED, she also cultivates strong networks with immigrant-, refugee-, and communities of color-serving agencies across the entire region. Mona grew up in Burma and previously worked in technology management positions for over 10 years in the software industry — but a pivotal year of volunteering at various refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border in 2008 changed her life and inspired her to co-found CRB. Another one of Mona’s passions in life is cooking gourmet meals for family and friends.
Emani Donaldson
(she/her/hers)
Early Learning Program Coordinator
As a servant leader, social justice for all human beings is at the core of Emani’s public works. She graduated from Eastern Washington University with degrees in criminal justice and sociology. Her academics focused on social problems and social change within oppressed communities, primarily about education, family as an institution, criminal law, and ethics within the criminal justice system. Emani feels blessed to gain wisdom from a plethora of cultures outside of her own at CRB.
Kirsten Gabele
(she/her/hers)
Early Learning Program Manager
Kirsten has worked in the nonprofit field with refugee and immigrant populations for over 10 years. She began her career working for the International Rescue Committee’s refugee resettlement program in New York City, and during her time with CRB, she has developed and implemented many programs directed towards families with young children. She is a Pacific Northwest native and enjoys spending time with her family, her three young children, and their dog, Kushi.
Mutende Katambo
(he/him/his)
Youth Program Manager
Mutende Katambo joined CRB in February 2021, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Medical Anthropology & Global Health from the University of Washington. He has been working with youth since he was 16 years old, as a camp counselor. Mutende’s work focuses on program development, youth voice and empowerment, and designing service projects. Mutende’s favorite comfort food is apple sauce, as it takes him back to fourth grade, every time!
Elizabeth Mayatsa
(she/her/hers)
Cultural Navigator
Elizabeth is a native of Tanzania and has lived in Auburn since 2003. She has a bicultural background focused on community collaboration and has led several volunteer programs in the community. At CRB, Liz works with immigrant and refugee parents from the LEAP program by helping them navigate systems and get resources. She enjoys spending time with family, baking, and traveling to various places around the country.
Hibo Mohamud
(she/her/hers)
Family Support Program Manager
Hibo has worked with CRB since the beginning of 2018 and is the mother of two children. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Community Psychology. A refugee herself, Hibo understands the challenges and barriers newcomer communities face daily. She is passionate about showing these communities strategies that support them toward growing their own power. Hibo enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, shopping, and writing poems.
Stefanie Pratt
(she/her/hers)
Reading Program Coordinator
Stefanie started with CRB as an AmeriCorps member working with the Reading Program. She grew up in New York State and has taught in New York, South Carolina, California, and Washington states. Stefanie also spent a year teaching English in Taiwan. Stefanie enjoys working with CRB families and getting to know them. During her free time, she cycles and has ridden cross-country on her bicycle three times to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis.
Veronica Soltero Guerrero
(she/her/hers)
Cultural Navigator
Veronica has been with CRB since December 2020 and is passionate about providing families the help they need to fulfill their needs. Before joining the CRB team, she owned a restaurant and provided teenagers with part-time jobs to help them develop skills and stay busy. Veronica’s favorite part of working at CRB is helping families find their necessities and connecting them to resources. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and cooking.
Mehria Zamiry
(she/her/hers)
Journey Mentor
Mehria is from Afghanistan and earned her associate’s degree from Green River College recently. She has worked for CRB as a Journey Mentor since 2019 and enjoys helping students and seeing them succeed by getting their GED and continuing with their post-secondary education, and becoming career professionals. In her free time, Mehria loves cooking and bargain shopping.
Meet our board
Marcia Berenter
(she/her/hers)
President
Marcia has supported students and their families as an educator, guidance counselor and college advisor for over 30 years. Highlights of her career include coordinating the transformation of service delivery models for students with learning disabilities and creating student and family advocacy and community outreach programs. Her passions include traveling, cycling, hiking, reading, gardening, watching all genres of movies, and supporting young people to succeed in life.
Gloria Grimm
(she/her/hers)
Vice President and Secretary
Gloria is a retired hospice social worker with 20 years of experience at Group Health. She and her husband Gary have supported the welfare of the Burmese and refugee communities in various capacities for over 30 years. She’s been involved with the Cross Border HIV/AIDS Peer Support group in Thailand’s Mae Tao Clinic as well as the Good Morning migrant school on the Thailand-Burma border. She joined the CRB Board in 2017 and loves to travel, garden, and is a yoga aficionado.
Joshua Banks
(he/him/his)
Treasurer
Josh is a Business Development Manager for strategic partnerships at Microsoft. With deep involvement in leadership and community service, Josh contributed in the capacity of a student mentor for Young Executive of Color while working for a degree in Finance and Entrepreneurship at the University of Washington. He joined CRB in 2019 as the Board Treasurer and has assisted with resource management and funding tracking. In his free time, Josh likes to play volleyball.
Myra Dahgaypaw
(she/her/hers)
Member
Myra was an internally displaced person and refugee before she resettled in the US. She has been a community organizer and a human rights advocate since a young age. She is a member of the Karen Women’s Organization, a board member of the Karen American Communities Foundation, and has testified before Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. She joined the CRB Board in 2016 and continues raise awareness to eradicate genocide, promote human rights in Burma and all over the world. Myra likes to pamper her collection of rare flowering tropical plants in her free time.
May Han
(she/her/hers)
Member
May is a neurologist specializing in multiple sclerosis and an associate professor at Stanford University. She is an educator, outreach director and patient and family support group leader for patients with neurological diseases. Born and raised in Burma, she relocated to Seattle and completed her post-graduate training at University of Washington. Previously, she volunteered at Mae Tao clinic as a visiting physician. Outside of work, May’s interests include yoga, meditation, running, literature, food, oenology, and bread baking.
Robert “Burns” Petersen
(he/him/his)
Member
Burns worked in the King County Department of Public Defense for over 30 years. He also has played multiple roles in community outreach, leadership, and social justice including as an MLK committee member, board member of Criminal Defense Attorneys of Washington State, King County Big Brother mentor, and more. He is a member of Burma Round Table and joined the CRB Board in 2020. His interests include international travel, bicycling, and photography.
