Our Board
Guided by lived experience and professional expertise, our board brings diversity in age, thought, and perspective. Rooted in faith and integrity, and driven by a shared commitment to our mission, they provide steady, purpose-filled leadership at every turn.
Dee Scott
Board President
Dee Scott is a Real Estate professional with over 20 years of experience helping families navigate homeownership with care, transparency, and integrity. A Seattle native, she brings deep knowledge of her community and a strong commitment to service. Dee currently serves as Board President of the Cierra Sisters Foundation, continuing the legacy of her late mother and founder, Bridgette Hempstead. Dee also serves on the Board of the Kent Chamber of Commerce and brings generational insight, strategic leadership, and a passion for community empowerment to the board.
Yvonne Walker
Board Treasurer
Yvonne Walker brings more than 35 years of service as a dedicated dental hygienist, caring for diverse communities and championing oral health across generations. Her commitment to education includes a decade of teaching at both the college and high school levels, where she inspired emerging health professionals and equipped students with the skills to excel. She currently serves as an instructor at the Puget Sound Skills Center, guiding students as they launch their careers. Yvonne brings a powerful blend of clinical expertise, educational leadership, and community-centered advocacy to the Cierra Sisters Board.
Dr. Paul Buckley
Dr. Paul M. Buckley is an experienced leader in workforce culture, values alignment, and fairness, with over 25 years in higher education and academic healthcare. He serves as Vice President and Chief Workforce Experience Officer at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Dr. Buckley’s work focuses on sustainable cultural transformation, inclusive leadership praxis, and the power of human connectivity and intelligence. Paul brings systems-level thinking, strategic leadership, and a deep understanding of institutional change.
Jeannie Williams
Jeannie Williams is the Community Development Manager for Skyway Coalition, with over 25 years of leadership experience in corporate program, project, and product management. After retiring from the corporate sector in 2018, she turned her focus to community advocacy and grassroots organizing. A breast cancer survivor since 2020, Jeannie became a Cierra Sister during her treatment journey and recently celebrated five years cancer-free. Jeannie brings lived experience, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to survivor-centered advocacy.
Nyela Richardson
Nyela Richardson is a graduate of Langston University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. She is committed to community care through research, advocacy, and intergenerational engagement. As a proud Seattle native, Nyela brings a fresh perspective to the board and aims to help raise awareness among younger generations.
Sandra Evans
Sandra Evans has been part of the Cierra Sisters community since 1996. She brings decades of lived experience, compassion, and service to her role on the board. Sandra is dedicated to supporting Black women through their cancer journeys and continuing the work of helping sisters in need. Sandra offers a long-standing connection to the organization and a steady presence rooted in care and consistency.