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Staff

Grace Yoo - Director

Grace Yoo was appointed Executive Director of the Washington State Women's Commission by Governor Jay Inslee in May 2023. Before joining the Governor's cabinet, Grace worked for Starbucks, where she led the company's efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its retail stores. Her team was recognized by President Biden's administration as part of the Federal Buy Clean initiative.

Prior to joining Starbucks, Grace served as a diplomat with the U.S. Foreign Service, where she covered topics such as human rights and labor issues at American embassies in China, Korea, and Germany. In her overseas consular assignments, she advocated for the rights of Americans incarcerated in foreign countries and assisted victims of assault returning home to the United States. She also served in several roles at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., including as an advisor to the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.

Grace received a bachelor's degree in East Asian studies from UCLA and a master's degree in international and intercultural communications from American University. She grew up in Edmonds, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, and speaks Korean, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese.

Leah White - Staff
Leah White

Leah White joined the Washington State Women’s Commission in April of 2022.

Before moving to Washington State, Leah was a Legislative Policy advocate and State Affairs Intern with the Alzheimer's Association - Tennessee Chapter. Her time with the Alzheimer's Association was focused on advocating for Alzheimer's-centered policies while educating Legislators and the public on how the disease, as well as caregiving responsibilities, disproportionately impact women -- especially women of color.

Prior to stepping into her current role, she served as the Legislative Policy Fellow for the Women’s Commission focused on domestic violence protection orders, compiling voices and stories of women, domestic violence survivors, advocates, and legal aid attorneys. She left the Commission briefly to work for the Washington State Senate as a Committee Assistant for the Labor, Commerce, and Tribal Affairs committee during the 2022 Legislative Session.

She is thrilled to be back at the Women’s Commission where she can pursue her passion for addressing the challenges facing women and girls, working to ensure an equitable future for all. She holds a B.S. in Political Science with a focus in Legal Studies from Southern New Hampshire University.

Erin Beck - Staff

Erin Beck joined the Washington State Women’s Commission in September 2023.

 

She has spent much of her life committed to education, whether it be teaching high school math, coaching youth sports, substitute teaching, or being a stay-at-home mother to her three children.  She has been a devoted volunteer to fundraise and support her family’s school and local lacrosse team.  She brings to the Commission her passion for lifting up women and families in her neighborhood, community, and state.

 

Erin holds a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University Wisconsin where she graduated summa cum laude and double majored in secondary education and mathematics.  When she is not volunteering or facilitating projects for the Women’s Commission, you can find Erin cheering her kids on during their many activities, hiking with her family and dogs in Washington’s beautiful surroundings, or grabbing coffee with friends in Olympia’s lively downtown.

Eliza Craig - Staff

Eliza Craig joined the Washington State Women’s Commission in February of 2024. 

Committed to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, Eliza uses the power of storytelling to uplift their narratives. She has several years of experience working with different forms of media to highlight the resilience of black activists fighting for justice and safety.

After working on a podcast about the repression of activists in Ferguson, Missouri, Eliza moved across the country to join Utah’s local news arena. She started as a digital reporter before transitioning to the world of TV news production. In this role, Eliza studied the processes of the Legislative Session and gained a new appreciation for the efforts of elected officials and their constituents in enacting change. 

Eliza is beyond grateful for the opportunity to serve the women and girls of Washington. She is eager to connect with communities from all corners of the Evergreen State and learn about the issues that matter most to them. 

Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Eliza earned her Bachelor's Degree close to home at Indiana University. She holds a B.A. in African American African Diaspora Studies and Spanish, along with a certificate in Political and Civic Engagement.