Meet the Board
UnityWorks was established in 2013 by members of the Gottlieb-Shevin family who saw a critical need for training and educational resources designed to promote understanding of the oneness of humanity, the value of diversity and the need for unity. We are pleased to be joined by additional board members who value these same goals. Together, we are committed to building an inclusive organization that will serve as a model of unity in diversity.
Randie Gottlieb, Ed.D.
UnityWorks founder, educator, author, poet
Carol Driver
Retired office manager for national nonprofit, community volunteer
Lorenzo Alvarado
High school Assistant Principal, award-winning educator
Victor Nourani
Middle school Principal, active Rotarian
Steven Gottlieb, M.D., MSPH
Pediatrician, former National Health Service Medical Officer, photographer
Beth Shevin, MIB
Real estate business manager, marathon runner, community volunteer
Jonathan Gottlieb, M.D.
Emergency room doctor, singer/songwriter
Administrative Team
Randie Gottlieb
Executive Director
Heather Hudson
Business Manager
Community Advisors
Peter Choi
Local business owner
Bubbles & Co.
Latasha Larez
Teacher
Harrah Elementary School
Rosemary Leiva
Retired High School Spanish teacher
Dr. Cheryl Young
Retired science professor
Space geologist
Maria Cuevas
Chicano/a Studies instructor
Yakima Valley College
Ester Huey
Retired bank executive
Community volunteer
Joddi-Jay Babcock
Director
Life Choices
Alan Matsumoto
Retired elementary school principal
Our Roots
These pioneering educators helped to create the EMPIRE Program, a consortium of K-12 schools, businesses and community groups in Central Washington State that, for over a decade, worked together to support positive multicultural change.
As a result of the success achieved by the participating schools, EMPIRE (Exemplary Multicultural Practices in Rural Education) was highlighted as a model program by President Clinton’s National Initiative on Race. It received the Year 2000 Best Program Award from the National Association for Multicultural Education; and was honored with the Washington State Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Education. EMPIRE served as the inspiration and model for UnityWorks.
Members of the original EMPIRE Leadership Team in 1994
Front row, L to R: Marsha Ann Pastrana, Bertha Ortega, Randie Gottlieb.
Back row: Assistant, Patsy Whitefoot, Pat Whitfield, Anita Swan
Golden Apple Awards – 2000
WA State Governor Gary Locke, EMPIRE Executive Director Randie Gottlieb, WA State Superintendent of Public Schools Terry Bergeson
