News

Saadia Hamid (she/her) 

Help Me Grow Co-Lead

I am originally from Eritrea in East Africa, where I served as a teacher, principal of a boarding school, mass media specialist, and curriculum developer for rural communities in Tigre, my mother language. I am a mother and raised my four sons in South Seattle. I speak five languages, enabling me to reach out to a broader audience and understand the strengths and challenges of second language learners. I received my Master’s degree in Adult Education from Goddard College and my BA in Early Childhood from Evergreen State College. I have worked in the community for the last 27 years and have held past positions of Family Support worker, Parent-Child Home program Site Coordinator, and Education Engagement Specialist. My beliefs and practices are shaped by my professional background and personal community experience. I believe in collectiveness, inclusion, equity, and equality.   

Selamawit Misgano (she/her) 

Help Me Grow Co-Lead 

I’m a proud mother of three. My family and I live in South Seattle, where we enjoy exploring neighborhood parks and attending local festivals. Although I spent my childhood in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and attended graduate school in Michigan, I’m a proud Seattleite and deeply value living in a city and county that are home to so many immigrant and refugee families like mine. I’m excited to join Best Starts for Kids and return to my roots in public health. Since earning my Master’s in Public Health and Public Policy, I’ve worked in place-based and community partnership roles across the education field. ~ Selam (ሰላም) 

 Anna Elberier (she/her) 

Help Me Grow Contracts Manager 

Hello! My name is Anna Elberier (she/her), and I am the Contracts Manager for King County Public Health’s Best Starts for Kids Help Me Grow strategy. I was born and raised in Seattle and love that in this role I get to partner with a community that has given so much to me. I received my Master of Public Health degree in Health Services at the University of Washington where my studies focused on maternal and child health. My research interests have focused on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how they impact the well-being of children and families over the lifetime. I have always enjoyed working with children and families in various capacities (previously as a Home Visitor and Program Director), and much of my career has involved providing wide-ranging child development and family support services to low-income families throughout the perinatal life stage. During my free time I enjoy spending time with family, friends, and my dog Cali, getting outdoors (hiking, exploring, and traveling), and salsa dancing!