Sarah Sense Wilson, LMHC, CDP, WSGCC-II, Chair of Urban Native Education Alliance

Sarah Sense-Wilson (Oglala) serves as the elected Chair for the Urban Native Education Alliance (UNEA). Sarah is committed to strengthening our urban Native community through tireless advocacy, organizing, and networking both within the Native community and greater King County area. Central to Sarah’s values is student voice, "As an organization we need to be cognizant of its purpose at all times, we are here to serve the academic, social, emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs of our Native children". Collaborating, consulting and sharing in decision making with students supports our emphasis on being student centered.


Sarah’s educational background includes a B.A. in Political Science, UW 1999, Chemical Dependency License 2004, and she completed her MA degree in Applied Psychology from Antioch University in 2010. Sarah is a Washington State licensed Mental Health Counselor, and a certified Problem Gambling Counselor. She has worked in the chemical dependency field for over 15 years, specializing in both family and couples counseling. Sarah is currently employed at Tulalip Tribes Behavioral Wellness as a Problem Gambling Coordinator.

Sarah and her partner Mark have one daughter who recently graduated from Western Washington University. Sarah enjoys her multiple volunteer roles and is highly motivated to improve academic and cultural enrichment experiences for our urban Native youth. Sarah believes both cultural knowledge and education are vital to strengthen and build the future for our urban Native community.

Gwendolyn A. Lee, Chinese, Member At Large

Gwen and her husband John, first became active in UNEA when they sought culturally appropriate and enriching activities for two Native foster children in their care. As they encouraged and facilitated the participation of these Native youths in various UNEA activities, Gwen and John became increasingly impressed with the organization and the positive effects it was having on the kids. As foster parents, they particularly valued how the program helped strengthen the youths’ sense of identity, self-confidence and enthusiasm for participating in healthy, culture based activities. Recognizing these and other program benefits, Gwen has continued to participate and volunteer even after the reunification of the youth with their birth family.

Gwen’s academic background includes Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Communications and Sociology from the University of Washington. Among her extremely diverse professional activities, Gwen has worked as an Aide to U.S. Senator Daniel J. Evans (including areas of Indian Affairs). She also served as the Assistant to the Seattle City Treasurer. She has worked extensively as a labor union activist for environmental, economic and social justice. Gwen was subsequently elected to the highest management position within the 3,200 member Local 46 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, becoming the first female in the international organization to head a construction union. She is pleased and honored to serve as Treasurer for UNEA.

Herb LeBeau, Sioux and Chippewa

Herb received his Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering from Seattle University in 2004. He currently works as a Project Engineer for the General Contractor, Lease Crutcher Lewis. Herb strongly believes in the value of Native Education through youth mentorship, community, and honoring cultural traditions. Fostering empowerment and a sense of pride in identity for Indigenous Youth is a priority for Herb. Herb and his wife Claire have one son Logan who attends Garfield High School and who is an active youth leader in the Clear Sky Native Youth Council. Herb was elected to the UNEA Board in June of 2016.

Glen Pinkham, Member At Large,

I am honored to be nominated for membership on the UNEA Board because I am committed to helping urban Native youth to have opportunities to develop their own voices and make positive choices about their education and to have access to resources and receive the kind of community support that is needed for young people to gain confidence and thrive in an educational landscape that often neglects their needs and concerns. I am currently enrolled in a course at the University of Washington with Megan Bang, Dawn Hardison-Stevens, and a cohort of educators from Seattle and beyond on Native Education, in which we are digging deeply into the very challenges faced by the Clear Sky participants in terms of their educational needs. With my decades of experience as an educator (middle school teacher and elementary/middle school administrator), I feel I bring an educational perspective to the board that can benefit its work on behalf of these children.

Michelle Landwehr, M.Ed.

Michelle became involved in UNEA as a parent looking for a program to nourish and support her son in his Native heritage. She was quickly filled with gratitude for the profound positive impact the program made on her son’s life. Michelle’s respect for UNEA grew as she witnessed its talented leaders, who inspired her to become more involved. From her lens as an educator, she took note that every one of UNEA’s participants, even those facing obstacles, was thriving in the program. “UNEA provides invaluable resources that are not available in schools, such as individualized and responsive programming, mentorship, and cultural education. Every youth is known, seen, valued, and encouraged.”

Michelle has spent over two decades committed to enriching the lives of youth through education. She earned a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Masters in Education in Special Education from the University of Washington, and a Masters-level certification in Educational Leadership from City University of Seattle. She has held numerous positions in education, including teaching, mentoring, and leadership positions, and has previously served in volunteer and advocacy roles for a variety of youth. Michelle is currently an Instructional Technology and Curriculum Leader with the Bellevue School District and serves on the Washington Children’s Mental Health Workgroup subcommittee for improving school-based mental health services. She lives in North Seattle with her family, including her son Alex, Menominee. She considers herself a Native ally who shares UNEA’s values and is grateful for the opportunity to serve the UNEA community and further its mission.