Board Members

Kenya is a devoted civil servant with a passion for helping others. For over 20 years, she has served the community by working with several organizations dedicated to helping individuals and families who are in need. For a decade, Mrs. Bannister was a leader at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission where she assisted homeless persons with finding resources to help them get on their feet.

While working as a Volunteer Coordinator at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, organizational changes occurred where they were no longer able to provide support to (seniors, at-risk youth, and young men no longer in gangs). Devastated by the lack of resources offered to this population, Mrs. Bannister began to move towards starting a new organization. In April 2020, A Better Quality of Life evolved with Mrs. Bannister as the Executive Director. Her mission is to alleviate the mental health stress experienced by (single-parent fathers’, widowed person, and at-risk youth) and create a place for them to heal, learn, and grow.

“Dream your paintings, then paint your dreams; Be the change you want to see.”
— Kenya Bannister

Vicky Navarro, a dedicated advocate for social justice and equity, brings over 15 years of invaluable experience supporting community initiatives. With a profound commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowerment, she has demonstrated exemplary leadership in organizational development and project implementation within diverse communities.

Throughout her career, Vicky has effectively collaborated on a myriad of community projects, leveraging her expertise in planning, one-on-one support, coaching, mentorship, and facilitating dialogues rooted in principles of safe space and racial equity. Her adept utilization of media and social networking platforms has facilitated impactful communication practices, particularly within bilingual and multicultural communities.

Vicky's illustrious career includes notable positions such as Vice-Chair of the Head Start Policy Program (2011-2012) and her current role as Lead Community Liaison with the King County Promotores Network (2013-Present). She serves as a vital asset to initiatives such as the King County Public Health Community Navigator (2020-Present), Hopelink Community Transportation Navigator (2022-Present), and Community Navigator for Lend A Hand (2020-Present), among others.

In addition to her professional engagements, Vicky is the Co-owner of Art's Of Love (2022-Present) and serves as a Co-Host for the FIL-AM RADYO program on Rainieravenueradio.world (2022-Present). She also holds the position of Interim Program Director for the Coty Of Seven Lakes Association Of Washington (2022-Present) and contributes her expertise to the Community Advisory Group (CAG) for Public Health Emergency Preparedness (2023-Present).

Vicky began her journey as a volunteer serving in the community, demonstrating her commitment to making a difference. Her subsequent role as a Community Outreach Independent Contractor further underscores her dedication, extending beyond mere professional obligations. Her prior experience as a caregiver from 2021 to 2023 speaks volumes about her compassion and unwavering dedication to serving others. 

Bilingual in English and Tagalog, Vicky finds fulfillment in entrepreneurship and genuine community engagement. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, her upbringing instilled a deep-rooted commitment to serving her community. Inspired by her mother's involvement in the Filipino Community of Seattle and Filipino organizations, Vicky continues this legacy of service with unwavering dedication. Notably, for King County Public Health and Hopelink, she was hired as a Filipino community navigator, further emphasizing her commitment to serving underrepresented communities.