2014 Speakers
Ed Murray
Mayor, City of Seattle
Mayor Ed Murray is the 53rd mayor of the City of Seattle. Prior to being elected Mayor of Seattle, Murray represented Seattle's 43rd Legislative District in the legislature from 1995 until 2013 and served as the Democratic Leader in the State Senate.
Murray, who lives in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood with his husband and partner of 22 years, Michael Shiosaki, has long been a civil rights champion. He was the prime sponsor of Washington State's historic marriage equality law as well as the 2002 Safe Schools bill, which protects sexual minority youth in schools. Murray was also the prime sponsor of a landmark bill banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation signed into law in 2006.
One of the most respected and accomplished elected officials in Washington State, Murray has led on a wide range of issues. During his time in the House, he was chair of the Capital Budget Committee, where he drove legislation that doubled funding for low-income housing.
Murray's honors include the 2002 Human Rights Campaign Leadership Equality Award; the 2005 Anti-Defamation League's Cal Anderson Award; the 2006 Distinguished Public Service Award from the Washington State Psychological Association; the 2009 Legislator of the Year Award from the Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs; and the 2012 Warren G. Magnuson Award.
Mayor, City of Seattle
Mayor Ed Murray is the 53rd mayor of the City of Seattle. Prior to being elected Mayor of Seattle, Murray represented Seattle's 43rd Legislative District in the legislature from 1995 until 2013 and served as the Democratic Leader in the State Senate.
Murray, who lives in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood with his husband and partner of 22 years, Michael Shiosaki, has long been a civil rights champion. He was the prime sponsor of Washington State's historic marriage equality law as well as the 2002 Safe Schools bill, which protects sexual minority youth in schools. Murray was also the prime sponsor of a landmark bill banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation signed into law in 2006.
One of the most respected and accomplished elected officials in Washington State, Murray has led on a wide range of issues. During his time in the House, he was chair of the Capital Budget Committee, where he drove legislation that doubled funding for low-income housing.
Murray's honors include the 2002 Human Rights Campaign Leadership Equality Award; the 2005 Anti-Defamation League's Cal Anderson Award; the 2006 Distinguished Public Service Award from the Washington State Psychological Association; the 2009 Legislator of the Year Award from the Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs; and the 2012 Warren G. Magnuson Award.
Rossann Williams
SVP, President, Starbucks Canada
Starbucks Coffee Company
Rossann Williams is the senior vice president and president for Starbucks Coffee Company Canada, leading the Canada market forward.
Rossann joined Starbucks in 2004 and is known for leading courageously, driving positive business results and developing strong teams and leaders. During her Starbucks career she has led the U.S. Central Zone as regional vice president, spent three years in Amsterdam as vice president of Operations, for Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and led the Sunbelt Division of Starbucks' U.S. business as divisional senior vice president.
During the past year, Rossann led the Global Talent function in our Partner Resources organization. Under her leadership, the organization brought new passion and energy to their work in talent acquisition and development, as well as diversity and inclusion, and community. Rossann is a proven leader and steward of our Starbucks culture through demonstration of our Mission and values.
Rossann attended Lewis and Clark College and Portland State University in Portland, Oregon with undergraduate work focused on pre-med. Outside of work, Rossann likes spending time with family and friends, enjoying the great outdoors and reading a good book.
SVP, President, Starbucks Canada
Starbucks Coffee Company
Rossann Williams is the senior vice president and president for Starbucks Coffee Company Canada, leading the Canada market forward.
Rossann joined Starbucks in 2004 and is known for leading courageously, driving positive business results and developing strong teams and leaders. During her Starbucks career she has led the U.S. Central Zone as regional vice president, spent three years in Amsterdam as vice president of Operations, for Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and led the Sunbelt Division of Starbucks' U.S. business as divisional senior vice president.
During the past year, Rossann led the Global Talent function in our Partner Resources organization. Under her leadership, the organization brought new passion and energy to their work in talent acquisition and development, as well as diversity and inclusion, and community. Rossann is a proven leader and steward of our Starbucks culture through demonstration of our Mission and values.
Rossann attended Lewis and Clark College and Portland State University in Portland, Oregon with undergraduate work focused on pre-med. Outside of work, Rossann likes spending time with family and friends, enjoying the great outdoors and reading a good book.
Charlene Strong
Charlene Strong is a nationally respected advocate for social justice and civil rights issues including marriage equality and non-discrimination policies in the workplace and society. She is a widely published writer and sought after speaker, presenting to universities, companies, public forums, nonprofits and government agencies across the country including the CIA, the Washington State legislature and the World Affairs Council.
Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire appointed Charlene to the prestigious Washington State Human Rights Commission; she is currently serving a new five year term.
Charlene is the subject of the award-winning documentary film, "for my wife..." which tells the story about how Charlene became an advocate for equality following the loss of her wife, Kate Fleming (a renowned audio book narrator), in a flash flood in Seattle in 2006. At the hospital Charlene was initially denied access to be with Kate in the moments before she passed away. This discrimination led Charlene to help champion legislation that later became Washington State's Domestic Partnership Law.
Charlene's advocacy for equality has led her to The White House where she was invited to a private meeting with President Obama and other dignitaries to talk about marriage equality. Charlene has taken her personal tragedy and created a life mission to advocate for equality and social justice issues.
Charlene Strong is a nationally respected advocate for social justice and civil rights issues including marriage equality and non-discrimination policies in the workplace and society. She is a widely published writer and sought after speaker, presenting to universities, companies, public forums, nonprofits and government agencies across the country including the CIA, the Washington State legislature and the World Affairs Council.
Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire appointed Charlene to the prestigious Washington State Human Rights Commission; she is currently serving a new five year term.
Charlene is the subject of the award-winning documentary film, "for my wife..." which tells the story about how Charlene became an advocate for equality following the loss of her wife, Kate Fleming (a renowned audio book narrator), in a flash flood in Seattle in 2006. At the hospital Charlene was initially denied access to be with Kate in the moments before she passed away. This discrimination led Charlene to help champion legislation that later became Washington State's Domestic Partnership Law.
Charlene's advocacy for equality has led her to The White House where she was invited to a private meeting with President Obama and other dignitaries to talk about marriage equality. Charlene has taken her personal tragedy and created a life mission to advocate for equality and social justice issues.
Blake Skjellerup
New Zealand Olympic speed skater Blake Skjellerup has gained an international profile as an elite competitor and one of the few worldclass male athletes to come out as gay while still competing.
Skjellerup represented his country at the Speed Skating World Championships eleven times, and competed for Team New Zealand at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where he placed 16th in the world.
After the Vancouver Olympics Skjellerup came out publicly as a gay man to let him live his life free of speculation or secrecy, and to serve as a much-needed role model and advocate for LGBT athletes at all levels.
While he narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Sochi Olympics, Skjellerup, now living in New York City, continues to speak openly and honestly about his career as an elite athlete and fight for equality, youth empowerment, and pride through sport. Skjellerup speaks openly about his time in school, during which he was bullied for his perceived
sexuality and participant in a sport out of the mainstream.
Skjellerup works with many non-profit organizations, including You Can Play and Athlete Ally. He is currently working on a special high-visibility project which will bring his message of pride through sport and anti-bullying to high schools and colleges throughout the United States starting in the autumn of 2014.
Skjellerup has recently appeared on the cover of Gay Times (UK), Bello (lnt’l) and Instinct (US). His television appearances have included LOGO TV, CNN (International), CTV, Global News and CBC (Canada), BBC, SkyNews (UK), ABC (Australia), Good Day LA, The Project (Australia), Huffington Post Live, One National News and 3 National News (New Zealand) and Yahoo Sports. He is featured in the CNN Special Documentary Journey of the Gay Athlete, and is a columnist for the Huffington Post.
Skjellerup can be reached at contact@blakeskjellerup.com. He tweets as BlakeSkjellerup and his Facebook page is TheBlakeSkjellerup. Many of his media appearances can be viewed on YouTube and his columns can be read at Huffington Post.
New Zealand Olympic speed skater Blake Skjellerup has gained an international profile as an elite competitor and one of the few worldclass male athletes to come out as gay while still competing.
Skjellerup represented his country at the Speed Skating World Championships eleven times, and competed for Team New Zealand at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where he placed 16th in the world.
After the Vancouver Olympics Skjellerup came out publicly as a gay man to let him live his life free of speculation or secrecy, and to serve as a much-needed role model and advocate for LGBT athletes at all levels.
While he narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Sochi Olympics, Skjellerup, now living in New York City, continues to speak openly and honestly about his career as an elite athlete and fight for equality, youth empowerment, and pride through sport. Skjellerup speaks openly about his time in school, during which he was bullied for his perceived
sexuality and participant in a sport out of the mainstream.
Skjellerup works with many non-profit organizations, including You Can Play and Athlete Ally. He is currently working on a special high-visibility project which will bring his message of pride through sport and anti-bullying to high schools and colleges throughout the United States starting in the autumn of 2014.
Skjellerup has recently appeared on the cover of Gay Times (UK), Bello (lnt’l) and Instinct (US). His television appearances have included LOGO TV, CNN (International), CTV, Global News and CBC (Canada), BBC, SkyNews (UK), ABC (Australia), Good Day LA, The Project (Australia), Huffington Post Live, One National News and 3 National News (New Zealand) and Yahoo Sports. He is featured in the CNN Special Documentary Journey of the Gay Athlete, and is a columnist for the Huffington Post.
Skjellerup can be reached at contact@blakeskjellerup.com. He tweets as BlakeSkjellerup and his Facebook page is TheBlakeSkjellerup. Many of his media appearances can be viewed on YouTube and his columns can be read at Huffington Post.