PCLD Professional Staff
Ayaka Dohi '13, M.A. (she/her/hers)
Director Payne Center for Leadership Development
Ask me about: The intersections between DEIB and Leadership, my experience as an immigrant, first-generation Zag, and how I can best support your experience at GU
Email: dohia@gonzaga.edu
Maddie Simmons '23 (she/her/hers)
Program Coordinator, Payne Center for Leadership Development
Ask me about: Learns to Lead (L2L) living learning, Student Leadership Conference, and Strengths
Email: simmonsm@gonzaga.edu
Jon Williams '22 (he/him/his)
Program Coordinator, Payne Center for Leadership Development
Ask me about: ELI, Identity Based Leadership Workshops, and Strengths
Email: williamsj4@gonzaga.edu
Payne Fellows
Alondra Maqueda '24 (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Connell, Washington
Major: Criminology (Sociology Minor)
Favorite Leader: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (also known as AOC). She has been a United States representative for New York since 2019, as a member of the democratic party. Her family had many struggles when she was growing up and she has gotten so far in life and has truly become an inspiration to myself and so many others. Some of the issues she is fighting for are medicare for all, housing as a human right, real public safety, honor in immigration, and elevating public education. She always has amazing things to say, and is making change one step at a time.
Henry Hiles '26 (he/him/his)
L2L Ambassador
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Major: Political Science
Favorite Leader: Winston Churchill, as he was a man who could understand and direct those who looked up to him. His speeches during his time as prime minister were both poignant and persuasive, allowing him to rally his people toward a common goal. On a much smaller scale, for me talking and being there for those in my community is my goal. Like Churchill, I want to be able to rally others around fun and exciting activities while being there for others when needed.
Meaningful Leadership Values: My understanding of leadership for me is someone who takes the time to work for and with others. Thus, my role here is to make a community and work with others to have fun, study, and work with one another.
Julia Traynor '26
L2L LLC Ambassador
Hometown: Spokane, Washington
Major: Psychology with a Research Concentration
Favorite Leadership Model: Lady Gaga because of her ability to engage in productive collaborations with nearly anyone, as well as her incredible strength to stay true to herself while working to produce music that reflects what she wants to say, exactly how she wants to say it.
Meaningful Leadership Values: What excites me about being in a leadership role is the opportunity to collaborate and share creative ideas with other people who value community. I think that possessing the skills to lead a group of people meaningfully and smoothly in a positive way is extremely important for both personal and community growth.