OUR TEAM

 

Administration Team

Co-Executive Directors

 

Shana beckwith, executive director of education, (she/her)

Shana has been with SPIN since 2016. However, her passion for education and advocacy for youth spans her 20+ years in the field. Shana was born and raised in SE Seattle where she continues to mentor and inspire African American youth. Whether it's building makerspaces in elementary schools or starting all- girls robotics teams; Shana excels at providing exceptional educational opportunities for young people. She is a graduate of the University of Washington (Bachelor in English) and American University in Washington, DC (Master of Teaching). Her favorite things in life are science fiction books, action movies, and her nephews.

Katherine barr, Executive director of operations, (she/her)

Katherine brings over 15 years experience building infrastructure, programs, and resources to support nonprofits working toward educational equity. She has been with SPIN for four years, recruited after she completed her work as founding Director of both the Southeast Seattle Education Coalition and Global Washington. She has her Master of Public Administration from the Evans School at the University of Washington and her Bachelor from Reed College in Portland, OR.

 
 
 

Office Management

Dionna Washington, Office Manager(she/Her)

 Dionna Washington is a dedicated professional currently serving as the Office Manager at Stem Paths Innovation Network. She also leads the Women and Girls Ministry at Holgate Street Church of Christ. Recognized for her exceptional commitment to patient care, Dionna was nominated for the UW Cares Award during her tenure at Harborview Medical Center.

 A Seattle native, Dionna is passionate about giving back to the underserved and supporting the youth in her community. In her free time, she finds joy in outdoor walks and singing. 

Development and Communications

Lauren Canto, Development and Communications Coordinator (She/her)

Lauren is a dedicated educator and environmental justice advocate with a passion for connecting people to nature and building community. She earned her B.S. in Ecology and Conservation Biology and has a strong background in STEM education, youth mentorship, and community outreach.

In her previous roles, Lauren played a key part in fostering inclusive and equitable environments within the environmental sector. She has especially enjoyed developing youth leadership programs and launching SPIN’s first Youth Social Media Team, which runs our Instagram and Facebook platforms.

Outside of work, you can often find Lauren exploring the outdoors or discovering new restaurants. She sees food as a form of art, adventure, and connection. She is thrilled to bring her passion for youth engagement and newfound passion of marketing to her new role.

 
 
 

joseph phillips, program manager II , young entrepreneur project (he/him)

Joseph is the Program Manager for the Young Entrepreneur Project or YEP.He has a degree in both Special Education K-12 and General Education K-8. He has taken all of these valuable experiences to become a successful entrepreneur through the power of STEM technology. He believes to elevate a entrepreneur’s mind is to educate and provide tools for them to access the world and beyond through entrepreneurs using/accessing STEM skills.

Mercedes Montgomery,

Program Coordinator (YEP) and Instructor (HEART) (She/her)

Mercedes is a multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, and community advocate who believes in learning and healing through art. Before joining SPIN, she served as a substitute teacher in the Kent and Renton school districts.

Mercedes is deeply committed to advocacy and creating safe, inclusive spaces for neurodivergent students, young people of color, and others who have been historically underserved. Her work prioritizes social-emotional opportunities in learning environments, ensuring students are supported not only academically but also in their growth as whole individuals. She emphasizes the importance of adding the “A” to STEAM, showing how the arts foster exploration, equity, and empowerment.

Alongside her administrative and program support experience, Mercedes brings a strong background as a performing artist and community organizer, using creativity and storytelling to uplift voices and strengthen connections across communities.

 
 
 

Alicia rice, spin fellows program manager ii (she/her)

Alicia brings over 10 years of scientific research and 5 years of teaching expertise to the SPIN Fellows program. With a PhD in biology from the University of Washington Alicia has not only a passion for, but a first hand experience in completing a degree in STEM education. She is excited to bring her own background in STEM to the SPIN Fellows program.

Jaidyn Slaughter, SPIN Forward Program Coordinator (she/her)

Jaidyn is currently pursuing a degree in Business Marketing. Her journey with SPIN began in 2018 when she joined as a student and later returned to the program as a Cohort Lead after graduating. Her deep connection to SPIN has inspired new passions, including working with youth and exploring the field of education.

She has also participated in SPIN Enrich, where she taught STEM education to elementary school students during the summer. Jaidyn’s unique experience as both a former program participant and current educator provides her with valuable insight and allows her to connect with youth and the program in a meaningful way.

When she is not studying or working, Jaidyn enjoys spending time with her family and discovering new hiking and walking trails.

 
 
 

soham sengupta, spin enrich, program manager II (he/Him)

Soham Sengupta is the Program Manager IIat SPIN Enrich and a proud first generation graduate from the University of Minnesota (Go Gophers!). Having lived abroad for his formative years; a trip to a local bookstore would often be the only option for his parents to pick up phrasebooks (this was an era preceding Smartphones & Google Translate). While they browsed through those bulky books, he was drawn to the bright colorful science books with illustrations and diagrams. His love for science and learning was born from here.

He has previously taught in the classroom as a Kindergarten, 1st & 3rd Grade teacher and served as an Assistant Principal. There, he got to work with some of the most incredible young people he's ever met and saw what is possible when students are held to high expectations in a warm and inclusive environment. He has been in education ever since.

He completed his Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington (Go Dawgs!) and his work continues to fuel his passion for education and learning - ensuring other English Language Learner students like him have access to high-quality STEM learning experiences.

When he's not exploring the Pacific Northwest one hike (or one bowl of Ramen) at a time, he can be found parked in front of a TV on weekends watching college and pro sports.

Cheyanne Chadwick, PROGRAM Manager, HEART@WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY(she/her)

Originally from the Treasure State, Cheyanne discovered the transformative power of performing arts at her local children's theatre. She attended the University of Montana where she received dual degrees in Elementary Education and Theatre Education. She was also awarded Forward Montana's 25 under 25 Award and the university's Presidential Senior Recognition Award.

Upon relocating to Seattle five years ago, Cheyanne infused her kindergarten classroom with elements of storytelling and community-building. She believes in the power of collaborative learning and strives to create inclusive environments where every voice is heard. In her downtime, Cheyanne is an avid hostess, delighting in the opportunity to bring people together for memorable events, and a devoted Dungeon Master, running of D&D for her friends. You can often find her curled up with a good book or enjoying quality time with her beloved pup, Goblin.
With a passion for empowering the next generation of leaders and creators, Cheyanne is dedicated to creating positive change in the world—one child, one story, and one connection at a time.

 
 
 

Samuel Berg Curriculum

& Makerspace Manager

(

he/him)

Sam is a passionate educator who believes in the power of nurturing students' well-being and fostering an inclusive, supportive learning environment. With a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies and a Master of Arts in Teaching, Sam is dedicated to sparking students' curiosity in STEM fields, especially within under-resourced school communities. Having taught in Seattle Public Schools, he is excited to continue supporting student growth—both academically and personally—in the district. Outside of the classroom, Sam enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with his partner, Cory, and his cats, Podrick and Rudy.