She is a first-generation biracial Chinese American, born and raised in the city of Chicago. Since moving to Portland, Oregon in 2008, she has worked in the community at the intersections of environmental, racial and economic justice, rooted in progressive movement-building principles and values. Satterfield is an organiser, policymaker and coalition builder with over a decade of experience in non-profit management and programme development. Her work has secured multiple advocacy policy campaign victories at the ballot box and at the local, regional, state and federal levels. Satterfield's current role is in public service as Director of Sustainability for the City of Portland.