ABOUT US
Elevating voices, fostering belonging.
OUR MISSION
Civic Commons aims to reimagine civic engagement in our region by elevating community voices, fostering belonging and creating new models of cross-sector collaboration to achieve shared goals.
We provide the tools, information, and connections to empower communities to achieve equitable outcomes and tackle complex issues with our three core programs: Belonging, Scorecard, and Network Weaving
Our Approach
Civic Muscle is a foundational skill that enables a community to accomplish its goals and live its shared values.
By building Civic Muscle, we can weave together and leverage the different strengths each of us brings to the table, no matter which sector, institution or community we represent.
Civic Muscle is greater than the sum of its parts, recognizing that the challenges we face are complex — and that we cannot solve them alone.
Civic Muscle gives us the strength to disagree and still make progress. When we encounter friction or unforeseen challenges, Civic Muscle helps us weather these challenges.
OUR CORE PROGRAMS
Meet the CIVIC COMMONS Team
Michael Brown
Chief Architect at Civic Commons
Michael Brown (he/him) is the Chief Architect of Civic Commons. Michael previously served as Vice President of Community Programs at Seattle Foundation, where he oversaw community impact efforts, strategic grantmaking initiatives, convening activities, and the impact investing program.
Since the start of his tenure at Seattle Foundation in 2001, Michael has led efforts to elevate community voice and foster public-private partnerships, tackling complex challenges in the areas of affordable housing, economic and racial equity, policy, and advocacy. He led the development of the Foundation’s Center for Community Partnerships, which focuses on targeted efforts to achieve greater racial and economic equity. Read more
Sofia Ellis-Curry
Operations Lead at Civic Commons
Sofia Ellis-Curry (she/her) is the Operations Lead for Civic Commons. In this role, she serves as project manager, supports programmatic work, and enhances team cohesion and efficiency.
Sofia holds a M.A. in Gender and Sexuality Studies, and has more than a decade of experience working with diverse constituencies in the non-profit sector. Throughout her career, she has worked on public health and education initiatives in the U.S., Argentina, and Austria. She is energized by the opportunity to advance the impact-driven work of Civic Commons.
Nicole Czubin
South Sound Engagement Coordinator for Black Home Initiative at Civic Commons
Nicole Czubin (she/her) is the South Sound Engagement Coordinator for Black Home Initiative. She is a dedicated advocate for equity, and a community strategist with deep ties to Seattle. Drawing from personal and professional experience with systemic inequities, she centers community voices in the pursuit of just, data-informed solutions.
Known for her joyful and honest approach, Nicole cultivates spaces where meaningful connection and collaboration can thrive. Her work includes curating immersive experiences in historically rich places like Selma, Alabama. Through this, she helps communities, especially young people, engage with the roots of collective action and social change.
Marty Kooistra
Network Weaver of the Black Home Initiative at Civic Commons
Marty Kooistra (he/him) is the Network Weaver of the Black Home Initiative network, a regional effort to address the systemic injustices in our housing system.
Marty is a champion of coalition-based work at the intersection of community development, equity, and affordable housing. As executive director and board president of the Housing Development Consortium of Seattle-King County, Marty formed several coalitions and networks, including Seattle for Everyone. His local, national, and global leadership has included roles with Habitat for Humanity include CEO of Habitat’s Seattle-King County affiliate. He currently co-chairs the University of Washington’s West Coast Poverty Center Housing Roundtable and serves on the board of Global Washington.
Nia Liggins
Project Lead for We Belong Here at Civic Commons
Nia Liggins (she/her) is the We Belong Here Project Lead at Civic Commons. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Nia has a wealth of experience in designing and implementing inclusive engagement strategies, facilitating discussions across diverse communities, and translating complex policy issues and technical jargon into accessible information. Through her work, she strives to bridge the gap between policies and the communities most affected by them, helping to shape solutions that are not only effective but also rooted in the lived experiences of the people they impact.
Having worked in environmental research, public affairs, nonprofit development, community partnership management, and grassroots organizing, Nia is skilled in building meaningful relationships and advocating for those who are voiceless.
Kahdijah Lozada
Network Manager of Black Home Initiative at Civic Commons
Kahdijah Lozada (she/her) is honored to be part of the Civic Commons team as the Black Home Initiative Network Manager. She brings a passion for racial equity, strategic collaboration, and community-centered systems building. Kahdijah’s background in project management and cross-sector partnership development has been shaped by a deep commitment to creating opportunities for historically marginalized communities, particularly through empowering minority-owned businesses.
Kahdijah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the Pamplin School of Business at the University of Portland. She is drawn to Black Home Initiative’s' bold and clear vision of expanding Black homeownership as a path to generational wealth and justice. Outside of work, Kahdijah finds joy in traveling, coaching youth basketball, and staying closely connected to nonprofit efforts that align with her values
Advisory Board
Andrea Caupain Sanderson (she/her)
BIPOC ED Coalition of Washington State
Lindsay Goes Behind (she/her)
Seattle Foundation
Paul Suzman (he/him)
Office Lease
Lori Pfingst (she/her)
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
De’Sean Quinn (he/him)
Metropolitan King County Council
Carrie Simon (she/her)
Independent Weaver
