Who We Are
Working Group Members
René Peters (Position No. 1) | Co-Chair
Rene has an extensive background in technology with experience in local civic engagement around technology and equity. He has previously served as a Smart Cities Committee chair, CTAB board member, board co-chair, and board chair of Seattle's Community Technology Advisory Board over four years (2019-2023) where he focused on digital equity, privacy/cybersecurity, smart city technology, and working with the Technology Matching Fund to allot hundreds of thousands of dollars in city funds to tech-focused community organizations representing underserved populations. During his career in technology with Microsoft and now NVIDIA, Rene has touched areas such as cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), AI, and AR/VR. Rene has done numerous talks/panels regarding the intersection of the Black community and technology, including the concept of Afrofuturism, and AI's Impact on Black Culture. Rene currently serves as an advisory member for Revere XR, a Seattle black-owned technology firm that has a mission to create impactful storytelling experiences with extended reality (XR). Currently, the Revere team is putting together a virtual tour of Seattle's Central District neighborhood, allowing community elders and people of all ages to experience Seattle's past, prior to heightened gentrification and other elements that have changed historically diverse neighborhoods. The experience features a virtual walkthrough of the streets and local businesses of the Central District, as well as interviews with current residents.
Term Expires: 12/31/2026 | Appointed by: Mayor
Kayleigh McNiel (Position No. 2) | Co-Chair
Kayleigh has over a decade of experience working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and childhood sexual abuse in both the criminal and civil justice systems here in King County. As a Victims Advocate at the Seattle Police Department, Kayleigh worked directly with victims and families impacted by the criminal justice system while coordinating with community service providers to assist victims in accessing safe housing. Kayleigh has been involved in many campaigns and projects aimed at enhancing privacy rights for victims and addressing technology-enabled abuse. As a member of the Civil Rights and Justice Clinic during her 3L year at UW Law, Kayleigh worked on many cases involving wrongful convictions and civil rights violations stemming from police and prosecutorial misconduct and abusive use of force in actions pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. As a CSWG member since 2020, Kayleigh remains dedicated to ensuring the civil liberties and privacy rights of all Seattle community members are respected.
Term Expires: 12/31/2024 | Appointed by: Mayor
Wendy Novotne (Position No. 3)
Wendy is a member of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and as part of her professional activities at her law firm, is a chair of the Seattle Diversity and Inclusion Committee and member of the Leadership Alliance for Women. The law has been her calling since age five and Wendy’s Chinese immigrant parents were thrilled to learn she wanted to be a lawyer. Wendy has always found that lawyers can help people. Seattle is Wendy’s hometown and wants to apply her skills, talents, and cultural background to serve the community around issues regarding data protection, privacy, data security, and cybersecurity.
Term Expires: 12/31/2026 | Appointed by: Mayor
John Yun-Kuang Chen (Position No. 4)
John is an API small business owner, member of the API Heritage Month Festal Committee, and founder of API+ NSA (National Speakers Association). John’s extensive background in technology, social justice, and racial equity equips him with a nuanced understanding of the legal and ethical implications of surveillance technologies. As an individual deeply invested in the intersection of technology, privacy, and civic engagement, John is particularly interested in reviewing how new technologies impact marginalized communities and the balance between security and privacy. John’s commitment to transparency, public accountability, and informed policy-making drives an approach to addressing these complex issues by fostering a dialogue that not only navigates the intricacies of surveillance technology but also prioritizes the voices and rights of Seattle's diverse communities.
Term Expires: 12/31/2024 | Appointed by: Mayor
Carolyn Riley-Payne (Position No. 5)
As part of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and other community groups that are concerned about the impact of technology and surveillance in the community, Carolyn is interested in serving to ensure that the community has awareness and understand what is going on to protect the rights of the community.
Experienced advocate and leader adept at change and innovation across diverse domains.. Known for counseling and guiding others with empathy and wisdom. Balances role as a supportive sister, nurturing mother, and trusted friend, brining compassion and understanding to every relationship.
Carolyn has served as President Seattle King County NAACP and chair of the NAACP Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). Served as Human Services Commissioner for City of Lake Forest Park, founding member of Bellevue Alumnae Chapter Delata Sigma Thera as well as Vice President of the South East Asan Compassion Network and other community groups that are concerned about the impact of technology and surveillance in the community.
Term Expires: 12/31/2026 | Appointed by: City Council
Name (Position No. 6)
Term Expires: 12/31/2024 | Appointed by: City Council
Alex Maestretti (Position No. 7)
Alex's 20 year career spans the public and private sectors, building and operating security and privacy programs. He is passionate about using technology to improve people's lives, but also wary of the negative impacts technology can have. Alex is excited at the opportunity to learn from his peers on the working group, as well as contribute to the effective delivery of government services while supporting citizen engagement here in his hometown.
Term Expires: 12/31/2026 | Appointed by: City Council
Join the Working Group
If you are interested in serving on the Surveillance Working Group, please submit your application online. Under "Which Boards would you like to apply for?" select Community Surveillance Working Group.