Ron Charles ’97
Past-chair, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe
Ron Charles’ public service career spans tribal, federal and state appointments over more than five decades. Ron Charles served as tribal chair of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe for a total of twenty-three years divided into two periods of service. Ron is a veteran of the United States Navy and was also one of the first tribal employees hired in 1972. He also served as Commissioner to the Northwest Indian Fish Commission and as a member of the Fraser Panel of the Pacific Salmon Commission, a fisheries management agency that manages sockeye and pink salmon fisheries shared with British Columbia.
Ron is recognized as a visionary leader who helped the Port Gamble S’Klallam tribe navigate rapid change and growth after the Boldt decision in 1974 restored tribal access to fisheries in Washington State. Ron helped to safeguard the tribe’s treaty rights and was instrumental in diversifying the tribe’s economy through the development of a casino, hotel and other business ventures.
In the 1990’s, Ron attended Evergreen’s Reservation-Based Community Determined program and focused his studies on tribal governance and financial management.
Even in retirement, Ron continues to serve on several committees for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe while keeping up with a busy family life with his wife of over fifty years, Sharon Clements, their four daughters, seventeen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Yuh-Line Niou ’04
New York State Assemblymember
Yuh-Line Niou has spent her career working on legislative and advocacy campaigns. In 2016, Yuh-Line was elected to serve the 65th Assembly District, representing the following lower Manhattan neighborhoods: the Lower East Side, Chinatown, South Street Seaport area, Financial District and Battery Park City.
Yuh-Line Niou began working on state policy issues while in college, eventually accepting a position with the Washington State House Health Committee Chair. While there, she helped develop policies to expand senior access to prescription medication, improve women’s health care, and expand health coverage for low-income families. Yuh-Line then went on to work as an advocate and organizer on anti-poverty issues, where she helped build a broad coalition to fight predatory lending and assist low-income families build financial assets.
She then served as Chief of Staff for New York State Assemblymember Ron Kim, where, under her leadership, the office assisted thousands of immigrants, small-business owners, teachers, seniors, workers, and students. She has drafted legislation to expand language access for immigrant communities, and has fought for more affordable housing and expanded services for seniors.
In the Assembly, Yuh-Line has continued her advocacy work around financial empowerment. She has pushed to improve financial protections for consumers, particularly for unbanked communities. On housing, Yuh-Line has worked to secure funding for New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) repairs.
Yuh-Line graduated from The Evergreen State College where she worked in the housing program and participated in the Washington State Legislative Internship program. She completed her Master’s degree in Public Administration at CUNY Baruch College as part of the National Urban Fellowship program, where she worked on regional and international environmental issues. Yuh-Line lives in the Financial District, in lower Manhattan.