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.

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

Duane Landon, Chief Financial Officer

Duane works closely with the CEO and program managers to ensure the fiscal health of Byrd Barr Place. He is responsible for financial planning, supervising the accounting team, managing fiscal sponsorship arrangements and overseeing technology. As a member of the management team, he also contributes to strategic planning and organizational development. Prior to Byrd Barr Place, he was the director of finance and program manager at 501 Commons, where he oversaw internal finances and managed a financial service program for 100 nonprofit clients. Duane holds an active CPA license and has an MBA and MPA from City University in Seattle and a bachelor’s in psychology and business from the University of Oregon.

He currently serves as treasurer of FIUTS, a local nonprofit advancing international understanding through cross-cultural experiences, student leadership and community connections. Outside of work, Duane enjoys talking with his “kids,” who are all grown up and out in the world working or going to school. As a laid-back activity, he likes to do 100% games (Ask him what that means). And when weather and time permits, you can find Duane backpacking in the Cascades.

Board of Directors

Co-president: Heyward Watson, Creative Minds Consulting, LLC

Co-president: Tamara Howie, King County

Vice President: Christian Bell, Momentum Professional Strategic Partners

Treasurer: Derrick Love, Microsoft

Secretary: Kat Plimpton, NW Energy Coalition

Nain Vaswani, Microsoft

Rocale Timmons, Amazon

Tanise Love, Amazon

Terry Easter-Hairston, Skyline Properties