Background information about the members of the Washington Future Fund Study Committee
The Washington Future Fund Study Committee was commissioned by the Legislature in response to Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5693 Section 123 (2). The Office of the State Treasurer is coordinating an effort to:
Recognizing the economic impact of growing wealth inequity, the Legislature commissioned the comprehensive study to in the 2022 supplemental budget to, “…gather data on [wealth] inequities including racial wealth gaps in Washington and examine how investment programs such as the Washington future fund program or similar ‘baby bonds’ investment programs can impact wealth inequities and the future financial stability of the Washington state treasury.
Washington Future Fund Study Committee Members:
Efrem Fesaha
CEO/Founder, Boon Boona Coffee Company
Efrem Fesaha is a first-generation Eritrean American whose family moved to the West Seattle in 1988 for an opportunity his Father received to work for Boeing as a Mechanical Engineer. Efrem attended grade school in West Seattle, attended Washington State University for his B.A., and is currently a candidate for a Masters in Business Administration at Seattle University.
Jennifer Bereskin
Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska – Unangax Coast Salish – Snohomish Nation
Jennifer Bereskin has lived experiences with childhood poverty, systemic racism, and chronic homelessness. She is the mother to a special needs child whom gives her strength. Jennifer’s advocacy journey includes Indigenous and sovereign inherent rights, environmental protections, eliminating multi-generational poverty, housing justice, and dismantling white nationalism through anti-racial and anti-discriminatory policy reform in Washington state.
Edgar Franks
Washington State Campaign/Political Director, Familias Unidas por la Justicia
Edgar Franks is the Washington State Campaign and Political Director for the independent union Familias Unidas por la Justicia where he works with union leadership and allies in the development and implementation of the Just Transition framework centered on food sovereignty and worker organizing.
Tonita Webb
CEO, Verity Credit Union
Tonita Webb was named the CEO of Verity Credit Union in early 2021, the first woman and the first Black American to be named CEO in the organization’s history. She continues to move Verity forward in socially responsible banking to create vibrant communities. Tonita brings a strong vision for harnessing financial tools, data, and technology, with a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion to enhance the lives of underserved members of the community.
Tracy Yeung
Policy Analyst, Washington State Budget & Policy Center
Tracy Yeung is a member of the research and policy team for the Washington State Budget & Policy Center, focusing on population health. Tracy currently holds a State Policy Fellowship through the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ two-year national fellowship program. She was previously the 2020-2021 Betty Jane Narver Policy Fellow at the Budget & Policy Center.
Monica Stonier
State Representative
Rep. Stonier serves as the House Majority Floor Leader and leads her caucus on several key issues like labor and workers’ rights, public education, health care access for children, financial literacy education, and portable benefits for Washington workers of our future. Monica serves on the House Capital Budget Committee and is the first person of color to serve in 17th and the 49th legislative districts in Clark County.
Yasmin Trudeau
State Senator
Sen. Yasmin Trudeau represents the 27th Legislative District in the Senate. Yasmin previously served as the legislative director for Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and before that served as a policy analyst for the Washington State Senate and a legislative aide for then-state Sen. Pramila Jayapal.
Paul Harris
State Representative
Rep. Paul Harris serves the 17th Legislative District in the Washington State House of Representatives. Paul is a small business owner and works for Molina Healthcare in community outreach and owns Solid Solutions, LLC., a Vancouver-based company which does sales, marketing, consulting and public relations work. Paul currently serves on the Health Care & Wellness, Appropriations, Labor and Workplace Standards, and Rules committees.