Meet Our Team.

Our Board.

Harya Tarekegn

RLI Founder & Director; Senior Counsel of Policy & Advocacy at NYC Civilian Compliant Review Board

Harya focuses on analyzing NYPD misconduct data to issue policy reports and recommendations. She connects with community advocates and elected officials to develop strategies for improving the Agency’s connection to the public and advancing a legislative agenda.  As an advocate dedicated to trying to level the playing field and breaking the poverty cycle in the United States and worldwide, Harya brings with her a perspective shaped by representing indigent defendants in New York City, conducting bail reform in Nairobi, Kenya, and supporting incarcerated teens in Santa Clara Juvenile Hall. Finding so much joy in helping youth grow and achieve, she always finds a way to mentor youth.

B.A. Stanford University, J.D. New York University School of Law

When I was a kid: I skipped nap time and secretly ate the class plant instead. 

Sadie Miller

RLI President; VP, Social Media Partnerships @ Mediabrands

With a background in Social Media Strategy, Sadie currently leads Social Media Partnerships for Mediabrands, bringing unique value to IPG clients through negotiation and relationship building with Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, Reddit, and LinkedIn, and other emerging social media platforms. These value-adds are inclusive of first-to-market trials, investment discounts, and custom training and craft enhancement opportunities for the social team.

B.S. and M.S. St. John’s University

When I was a kid: I used to blame my siblings for everything. I’m the oldest and usually got away with it. They still bring it up. 

Girmay Zahilay

RLI Founder; King County Councilmember

Girmay is an organizer at heart and loves bringing people together around common causes. Girmay started his legal career at Skadden Arps in New York City, and co-founded Rising Leaders when he wasn’t sleeping under his work desk. After 3 years in New York, Girmay moved back to his hometown of Seattle to be closer to his family and start working in the community that raised him. So far, Rising Leaders has rallied dozens of mentors in Seattle and partnered with two local middle schools, including the middle school that Girmay himself attended. Full circle.

B.S. Stanford University, J.D. University of Pennsylvania Law School

When I was a kid: my mom shaved my head bald because I wanted to look like Michael Jordan. My friends in first grade made fun of me so much that I ran away from school and got lost downtown. Today, I am lost no more and rock a bald head with no shame! #Growth

Jonelle Saunders

RLI Director; Associate at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Jonelle is an attorney with a passion for technology, policy, decision science, health, and wellness. Jonelle works at the intersection of regulatory enforcement, compliance counseling, and public policy. Jonelle has accumulated hundreds of pro bono hours with organizations focusing on access to healthcare, civil rights, voter suppression, domestic violence, and immigration. In addition to her legal experience, Jonelle helped launch the DC Chapter of Rising Leaders. Jonelle believes in lifelong learning, community engagement and knowledge sharing.

J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School

M.Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

B.S. and M.S., Carnegie Mellon University

When I was a kid: My parents made me wear a “uniform” to school based on their Jamaican heritage, despite no one else wearing a uniform.

Kat Welbeck

RLI Director; Counsel, Student Borrower Protection Center (SBPC)

Kat is a counsel at the Student Borrower Protection Center where she leads the SBPC’s work on civil rights issues associated with the nation's student debt crisis. She previously worked in the External Affairs division of the CFPB. Kat has always believed in the importance of education in expanding access to opportunity. Prior to law school, she was a fourth-grade teacher in Houston, TX. Kat is overjoyed to be part of the Rising Leaders, Inc. family.  She loves seeing first-hand how sessions with Rising Leaders help students develop tools and skills that affirm and enhance their capacity to lead in their communities.

B.A. Princeton University

J.D. University of Pennsylvania

When I was a kid: I always dreamed of reliving the scene from the Chocolate Room in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. It’s no secret that I still do!

Natalie Curtis

RLI Director; Government and Community Relations Manager at Fred Hutch

Natalie completed her master’s degree in and Non-Profit Leadership and certificate in Public Administration from Seattle University. Throughout her career, she has been able to collaborate with multiple leaders throughout the Seattle area to promote the importance of diversity and inclusion. During her free time, she is the President of the Capitol Hill Community Council, Commissioner for the City of Seattle, Community Impact Advisor for non-profits helping unrepresented minorities in STEM-related careers and helping minority girls feel empowered in their daily lives through STEM mentor-ships. In addition, she has served on various boards regarding health outcomes, affordable housing, environmental issues, homelessness, and hosted community forums surrounding various legislation.