OUR STAFF
MEET THE STAFF
Kathleen Wilcox, MBA, BSN
Executive Director
AARTH is excited to announce our new Executive Director, Kathleen Wilcox, BSN, MBA. Prior to joining AARTH, Kathleen served as Global Director of Drug Safety & Epidemiology for Chiron Corporation. Her career has included serving as an intensive care nurse and working with subjects contributing to cardiovascular research at the Hope Heart Institute. Advocacy is in her DNA as demonstrated in her community focused activities including member of the King County Advisory Council for Seniors and Disabled Services, and member of the Seattle Parks Department’s Rainier Advisory Council, and several other advisory councils. Kathleen’s love for family and community has been expressed through her experiences as a caregiver and team nurse for the Rainier Community Center little league football team.
Kathleen holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Seattle University, and a Bachelor of Arts with a focus in Clinical Psychology from University of Washington.
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Rev. Dr. Renee McCoy
HIV/Aids Program Manager
reneem@aarth.org
Rev. Dr. Renee McCoy is the former co-pastor of Eastgate Congregational United Church of Christ in Bellevue, WA. She is the former Director of Public and Private Grants and the former Director of Prevention Education at Lifelong AIDS Alliance in Seattle. She moved to Seattle in 2009 from Detroit, MI, where she was the Director of HIV/AIDS Programs for the Detroit metropolitan area. In that capacity she oversaw HIV/AIDS prevention and care services for the Detroit metropolitan area through the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion. Dr. McCoy has a long and extensive history of HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and research dating back to the onset of the pandemic in 1981, working in New York, Washington, D.C., and Detroit, MI, and Seattle, WA. Much of her work has focused on identifying and addressing the concerns of minorities and stigmatized groups including people of color and LGBTQ persons. She also specializes in addressing chronic illness and barriers due to social determinants of health such as poverty, racism, limited education, and obstacles to care and services for people of color.
She has received numerous national and local awards for the work she has done in HIV/AIDS, pastoral care, and community organizing. She has a doctorate in anthropology and has taught business and organizational anthropology, global health, and qualitative research methods. She is a medical anthropologist who has conducted ethnographic research in the Detroit metropolitan area targeting hard to reach, high risk groups. Dr. McCoy is also an ordained minister who has served the spiritual needs of marginalized persons for over four decades.
Angeilea' Yancey-Watson, BSW
Angeilea’ Yancey-Watson is a Tacoma, WA native. Angeilea received her dual bachelors in Community psychology and Health Administration from the University of Washington (Go Dawgs!) in 2017. Since then, her career has been focused on the advocacy and care coordination for underrepresented populations. Angeilea became a certified in-home caregiver in 2014, which was the catalyst to discovering her passion for African American behavioral health. In 2018 and 2019, she served as an Assisted living Director specializing in Alzheimer's and Dementia care. Prior to joining AARTH, Angeilea served as the Director of behavioral health for Sound Wellness Group, a private practice in Tacoma. Her community health journey has led to currently operating as AARTH’s Elders Living & Aging Well (ELAW) program coordinator. Angeilea is intentional about using health promotion to expose new ways of social awareness and to encourage the African American community to both control and redefine their reality. She is extremely humbled to be a part of AARTH’s continuous work at discovering and increasing existing resources that improve quality of life.
Lead Program Coordinator
angeileay@aarth.org
Ramona Shyne
Ramona has been a Project Manager (CSPO) and DEI Advisor with 20+ years’ experience. She previously worked for a non-profit partnering with executive leaders on a strategic project plan to increase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) awareness as a critical business imperative through relationship building, policy and procedural changes and cultural events. Her background demonstrates a proven record of building communities and relationships to drive and support companywide strategic goals. As a professional, she excels at facilitating internal and external partnerships to support initiatives that contribute to the achievement of organizational goals. Most of her work has focused on identifying and addressing stigmatized groups including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ persons. Utilizing her robust communication abilities, she can translate the organization’s vision and mission into actionable strategies that cultivate individuals, inspires confidence, and empower employee and community engagement.
Training Coordinator
ramonas@aarth.org
Risha Sharma
Risha Sharma. has a a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration, seamlessly translates her academic insights into practical applications. As a Research Assistant at the University of Washington Tacoma, she not only contributed to the advancement of knowledge but also honed her skills in academic inquiry. Transitioning into the role of Project Coordinator for the Drug-Free Community Coalition, Risha brought a strategic planning approach to her leadership. Her meticulous planning methodologies ensured the success and sustainability of impactful projects, showcasing her ability to bridge theoretical knowledge with on-the-ground execution for positive community change.
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Risha's transformative journey was shaped by being part of a patriarchal culture marked by societal challenges for women of color. This personal experience ignited a passionate commitment, making her a vocal advocate for justice and equality. Harnessing her determined voice, she challenges the status quo, striving to affect positive change in societal norms. Committed to making a meaningful impact on the world, Risha seamlessly blends academic insight with real-world experience, bringing a unique perspective to her endeavors. Her strategic approach to project leadership not only highlights her commitment to justice but also showcases her ability to affect change through thoughtful planning and execution.
Shakira Mungai is a B.A. in English Language and Literature graduate from the University of Birmingham. She has lived in Seattle since 2021 and is excited to learn more about healthcare justice in her city through AARTH’s vital work. Shakira is passionate about poetry, music and the arts. She has previously lived in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Kenya; her strength is a unique perspective as a first-generation immigrant. She deeply identifies with the values of improving health equity, self-advocacy, and chronic disease outcomes due to pervasive institutional marginalization primarily targeting those of African descent. In her role as an Office Assistant, Shakira assists with the administrative needs of the team, makes procedural processes as seamless as possible and contributes meaningfully to the organization.
Shakira Mungai
Anthony Harris, Photographer
Principal and owner, Twanda Hill specializes with small and medium sized businesses providing systems and strategies for opening, sustaining and growing their businesses. She is a digital marketing expert and a Solution Provider for Constant Contact. e of years, the focus has included teaching social media workshops and offering simple web page design. Her capacity to blend in with your organization, working as part of the team to fill critical gaps and allow your organizations goals to be met efficiently and professionally.
Twanda Hill
