Paula Fillmore-Sardinas is the President and CEO of FMS Global Strategies, LLC, a leading public affairs and advocacy firm specializing in government relations, equity policy, and strategic communications. She is also the founder of the Washington Build Back Black Alliance (WBBA), a coalition of 25 member organizations advancing systemic change for Black and BIPOC communities across Washington State. With more than 30 years of experience in public policy, education, and financial services, Paula has helped shape landmark legislation in healthcare, data privacy, banking reform, education, cannabis equity, and financial inclusion. She holds two degrees from Columbia College in Missouri and studied at The College of William & Mary. Paula also founded The Purpose Driven Girl, a nonprofit empowering women and girls silenced by intersectionality and structural racism.
Her political journey began on President Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign, later serving as Statewide Political Director of Women for Change for President Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns, and as a Coalition Builder for President Joe Biden and Finance Team Member for Vice President Kamala Harris. She was appointed by the Governor to both the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs and the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership (FEPPP) and has gone on to chair or serve on more than 22 committees and coalitions statewide, advancing equity, education, small business development, and climate justice.
Paula’s leadership has earned numerous honors, including the 2023 David Giuliani Climate Leadership Award, the 2023 Tabor 100 Crystal Eagle Award, the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award, and the 2025 Roberta Byrd Barr Award. She is also a Seattle Storm “25 Women in Business” Honoree and was named one of 425 Magazine’s and Seattle Sound Magazine’s “Women to Watch.” A lifelong advocate for equity and justice, Paula Fillmore-Sardinas continues to champion policies and partnerships that expand opportunity, empowerment, and lasting change for marginalized and underserved communities in Washington State and beyond.
