WIB-Seattle Steering Committee Announcement, November 20, 2024

We are excited to share that we have a new DEI Vice Chair, Anquida Adams!

Anquida is fascinated by social relations and how healthy relations work and affect our behaviors in individual, community/collective, and organizational systems. Her ongoing research on socio-emotional/psychological development and inclusive self-leadership practices helps her clients drive behavior change, creating stronger individual, community/collective, and organizational culture well-being. She focuses on the intersectionality of how we as humans interact, the concept of creating structural foundations and building healthy relationships.

Anquida shares why she is excited about supporting the WIB-Seattle DEI Committee, “I am enthusiastic about contributing my talents and experience to the DEI Committee with my peers as leaders. I aim to collaborate with my peers as leaders in implementing a holistic, human-centered approach that will transform how we perceive ourselves and interact with others in our community. This approach has the potential to catalyze change that extends beyond our WIB community, positively impacting our daily lives and professional environments. My core passion lies in sharing my life's work, which focuses on fostering a deep understanding of inclusion and modeling the inclusive practices envisioned for our community. I am committed to assisting with developing innovative strategies that promote authentic inclusivity, facilitating workshops and discussions that challenge and expand our perspectives on diversity, and Implementing actionable plans that translate our DEI principles into tangible outcomes. By leveraging my expertise and dedication, I aim to help create a more inclusive, empathetic, and dynamic environment within WIB in collaboration with my peers in leadership. This, in turn, will empower our members to become ambassadors for positive change in their respective fields and broader communities.”

Anquida is a sociologist, analytical starter, intention strategist, head coach practitioner, developer, Heyoka Empath, an intuitive human, and keynote speaker focused on building a healthy culture with self and identified communities. Her coined philosophy is, "We are the subculture of the more prominent culture; how are you showing up?" Educated at Mississippi State University, she received her bachelor's degree in sociology, gender studies, and leadership skills in 2010, and shortly after moving to Seattle, Washington, in 2013, in August 2014, she pursued a master's degree in leadership and organizational development systems 2014-2015. She attended the University of Washington Tacoma in 2016 and received her Green Belt Lean Six Sigma Certification, and again in 2018 to UW Seattle to gain a Certification in the Minority Business Executive Program.

Anquida formally served on the Rotary Club World Disability Advocacy Board 2022–23 now is an honorary member and president advisor, Event Planning Committee Member of AFP, an appointed Commissioner for Seattle Commissioner for People with Disabilities, and Committee Chair of Inclusion, Development, and Outreach; Elected Executive Board Officer/KCDCC Alternate/Chair of Affirmative Action Committee/ WADemCaucus2020; Board of Directors for Metropolitan Democratic Club; King County Board member for Developmental Disabilities, Tech-Stars Seattle Startup Week VP of Tracks 2018, Kent Chamber of Commerce/Member/DEI Committee Member, Fremont Chamber of Commerce Member/Board Member, King County Developmental Disabilities Board and Legislative Committee Co-Lead; Ambassador/Scholar Interviewer Volunteer/Member of the GSBA Chamber of Commerce, YPN board member of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, student mentor at Year Up, WAC Event Committee.

Anquida is currently the Founder and CEO of A.L.A. Brand, which consists of A.L.A. Consulting Firm (Divisions Organizational Socio-Emotional/Psychological Development, Equity/Inclusion/Diversity (EID+J), Entrepreneurship and Startup, The Individual); A.L.A. Event Planning and Management; A.L.A. Foundation/ Non-Profit; and Being Anquida Brand, Let's Talk Disability Global Brand. 

Please join us in welcoming Anquida!

Submitted by Yulia Ovechkina