Aiko Bethea, Esq., PCC (she-her)

TYA/USA is the leading national organization for the professional field of theatre for children and families, representing nearly 900 member theatres, organizations, and individual artists across 42 states. Dedicated to ensuring that all young people have access to high-quality theatre experiences, TYA/USA offers a variety of programming and provides a network of exchange that connects professionals working across the industry.

Proudly serving as Board President, after serving as VP and Chair of Board Operations (2015-2018). Seattle Children's Theatre (SCT) is one of the most prominent theatres for young audiences in the United States and the world. Our programs empower young people to make new discoveries about themselves and the world around them while building a lifelong interest in the arts. The mission of Seattle Children's Theatre is to provide children of all ages access to professional theatre, with a focus on… Show more

Proudly serving as Board President, after serving as VP and Chair of Board Operations (2015-2018). Seattle Children's Theatre (SCT) is one of the most prominent theatres for young audiences in the United States and the world. Our programs empower young people to make new discoveries about themselves and the world around them while building a lifelong interest in the arts. The mission of Seattle Children's Theatre is to provide children of all ages access to professional theatre, with a focus on new works, and theatre education.
- Amplify diversity, equity and inclusion efforts
- Charged with oversight of governance, bylaws, trustee recruitment and engagement
- Member of national equity committee for TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) Show less

Chair and Founder, Black Philanthropic Partnership, an employee resource group at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Key Outcomes: Led the first organization-wide discussions on race; developed a series of #RaceMatters workshops that resulted in standing room only attendance and the first robust dialogue on race, history and the inclusionary practices in the workplace. Developed local and national partnerships on behalf of the foundation.

Developing BPP and GAP (Gates Asians in… Show more

Chair and Founder, Black Philanthropic Partnership, an employee resource group at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Key Outcomes: Led the first organization-wide discussions on race; developed a series of #RaceMatters workshops that resulted in standing room only attendance and the first robust dialogue on race, history and the inclusionary practices in the workplace. Developed local and national partnerships on behalf of the foundation.

Developing BPP and GAP (Gates Asians in Philanthropy) were two goals that I had as a leader at Gates.I collaborated with the CHRO to develop the first D&I policy. Standing up BPP required recruiting a solid executive sponsor, developing a strategic plan, managing and developing a budget, building a leadership team and developing employee engagement. I led a steering committee, the strategic planning and budgeting, and develop and implement programming. Show less

Co-Founder and Steering Committee Member of Gates Asians in Philanthropy, an employee resource group at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values of any high performing organization that values innovation and deep engagement from its team of employees. Deep engagement and innovation are inspired and sustained by enabling employees to be present and bring and their whole selves to work.

Developing BPP and GAP (Gates Asians in… Show more

Co-Founder and Steering Committee Member of Gates Asians in Philanthropy, an employee resource group at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values of any high performing organization that values innovation and deep engagement from its team of employees. Deep engagement and innovation are inspired and sustained by enabling employees to be present and bring and their whole selves to work.

Developing BPP and GAP (Gates Asians in Philanthropy) were two goals that I've had as an employee at Gates.I supported and provided ongoing input to the foundation''s development of its first D&I policy. Standing up GAP required recruiting a solid executive sponsor, developing a strategic plan, managing and developing a budget, building a leadership team and developing employee engagement. Currently, I am a part of the steering committee, the leads the strategic planning and budgeting, and development and implementation of programming. Show less

August 2018 Inaugural DEI Chair for annual conference

August 2014 Leadership Webinar: Empowering Grants Managers to Advocate for the Field

June 2014 GMN Session: Leadership and Advocating for Your Team

March 2015 GMN Session: Preparing for Leadership Roles

SVP cultivates effective philanthropists and strengthens organizations driving community change – building powerful relationships that advance shared community goals.
Article on my work with SVP: http://www.seattleschild.com/social-venture-kids-teen-philanthropy/

Witness Change is a non-profit organization that exists to end human rights violations for marginalized communities through highly visual storytelling.

Witness Change humanizes the oppressed by amplifying the voices of those who have been abused. We collaborate with experts and advocates to develop tools that change attitudes and policies for persistent, evidence-based transformation of the human experience.

Families of Color Seattle (FOCS) is dedicated to exploring racism, and engaging in anti-racist work in ways that are accessible to all people and ages. Families of Color Seattle is a safe space for families of color. Anti-racist work is often approached academically – FOCS incorporates art, play, music, food, and community building in their programming, parent groups and community dialogue series to engage parents, educators, and the broader community in anti-racist work

Creating a Literate World. Literacy is transformative: it increases earning potential, decreases inequality, improves health outcomes and breaks the cycle of poverty (UNESCO). Yet there are 740 million illiterate people in this world and 250 million children of primary school age who lack basic reading and writing skills (UNESCO). Books are necessary for the development of these skills, and still 50% of schools in Africa have few or no books at all (SACMEQ II).

Worldreader is on a… Show more

Creating a Literate World. Literacy is transformative: it increases earning potential, decreases inequality, improves health outcomes and breaks the cycle of poverty (UNESCO). Yet there are 740 million illiterate people in this world and 250 million children of primary school age who lack basic reading and writing skills (UNESCO). Books are necessary for the development of these skills, and still 50% of schools in Africa have few or no books at all (SACMEQ II).

Worldreader is on a mission to bring digital books to every child and her family, so that they can improve their lives via technology, curation and fieldwork. Show less

One of three coaches selected to coach a select cohort of women scientists seeking to take the next step into VP and C-level positions.

The Coaching Fellowship nurtures and brings together the world’s most extraordinary young women leaders of impact.
We believe through the combination of coaching and fellowship; young women leaders will at a crucial point in their career manifest the change they want to be, and see in the world – faster and at an exponentially greater scale.
Together, we are bringing forward a new generation of women leaders building the world of tomorrow today.