Leadership and Staff

Dr. Angela Griffin, Chief Executive Officer

As Byrd Barr Place’s CEO, Dr. Angela Griffin leads the organization in its pursuits to build an equitable Washington through innovative programs and advocacy. Angela is a relationship-builder with 30+ years of experience working with communities of color to advance racial justice in the social service and education sectors. Her commitment to trauma-informed practice has led to improved services for youth and better outcomes for populations whom society marginalizes. Most recently, Angela served as CEO of Launch in Seattle, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring equitable access to the highest quality learning and care.

To further her dedication to supporting community well-being, Angela actively engages in volunteerism and public service. She is on several boards and advisory committees, including the Washington State Board of Education, Pathwaves WA, and the Woodland Park Zoo, among others. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Seattle University. Family is important to Angela, and she prioritizes spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoys traveling internationally, cooking a variety of cultural foods, and reading.

Angela wearing a white blouse with black flowers and a gray blazer, smiling in front of a brick wall

Tiffany Kelly-Gray, Impact Director

As Byrd Barr Place’s impact director, Tiffany works closely with the CEO and management team to develop and implement the organization’s fund development strategy, cultivating trusting relationships among existing and new investors. She also leads advocacy initiatives, including community engagement and research, to advance community-based solutions that will foster equitable opportunity with Black Washingtonians and other people whom society marginalizes. In addition, Tiffany manages marketing and communications at Byrd Barr Place.

A dedicated changemaker, Tiffany leverages extensive leadership experience in finance, banking, equity and inclusion, small business management and UX design. She relies heavily on her queer, Black-lived experience and small business owner lens to partner with community in pioneering enhanced structures, workflows and processes. She serves on the boards of the Bertschi School, The Northwest School and The Central Area Collaborative. Outside of work, Tiffany’s favorite times are spent with her daughter, her partner and her pups. She loves being in the forest, beside a river with a fire blazing while reading a book, and enjoying a bourbon neat.

Tiffany Kelly-Gray

Tremayne Edwards, Director of Operations

Tremayne is Byrd Barr Place’s director of operations, overseeing client services to ensure Byrd Barr Place’s values and hospitality standards are part of all programming, including energy, water and rental assistance; the Market; financial services; and the front reception. Tremayne believes in Byrd Barr Place’s unapologetic approach to serving the needs of Black folks in the Central District and beyond.

Previously, he was the education and engagement director with the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, where he led programming to engage and advocate for communities impacted by gun violence. Before the Alliance, Tremayne was director of community engagement at Academy Center of the Arts in Virginia, a nonprofit serving the greater Lynchburg community through arts education, gallery shows and performances by local and nationally renowned artists. When you can’t find Tremayne at work or a community event, you can find him in the mountains with his pup.

Tremayne standing in front of a brick wall, wearing a blue collared shirt

Board of Directors

President: Tamara Howie, King County

Vice President: Heyward Watson, Creative Minds Consulting, LLC

Secretary: Christian Bell, Momentum Professional Strategic Partners

Treasurer: Derrick Love, Microsoft

Kat Plimpton, NW Energy Coalition

Tanise Love, Twilio