As a young child, Maria immigrated to the beautiful Skagit Valley from Mexico with her mother. A graduate of Western Washington University, Maria has expertise in management, policy development, and language access refined through her work in various non-profit and public service agencies. She was appointed by Governor Inslee as executive director for the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs in August of 2018. Maria lives in Olympia with her partner and Stinky Dingo; is a serial restorer of craftsman homes; and almost always falls asleep during movies.
Staff
Maria Siguenza - Acting Director
Leah White - Deputy Director
Leah White is a passionate advocate dedicated to advancing equity and creating opportunities for women. With a deep commitment to addressing systemic barriers, she works to amplify the voices of those historically excluded, ensuring their stories and experiences drive meaningful change. Leah's career has been centered on promoting policies that uplift women, particularly in the areas of health, economic empowerment, and safety.
Her work with the Alzheimer's Association in Tennessee highlighted the unique challenges faced by women and caregivers, especially women of color, inspiring her to focus on policy solutions that address the intersection of gender and race. At the Washington State Women’s Commission, Leah continues her mission of advocacy, collaborating with partners and communities to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all women and girls.
Leah believes in the power of storytelling and collective action to shape policy and systems that foster belonging and justice. She holds a B.S. in Political Science with a focus in Legal Studies from Southern New Hampshire University.
Tanzania Zenzali-Marshall - Program Manager - Interagency Coordination
As a Master of Public Health (c) student and Program Manager specializing in Public Health Equity, Tanzania stands out as a rising force and innovator in providing health, safety, and economic growth resources for the women of Washington State! She is passionate about advocating for and providing public health services and wellness accessibility, especially for women and young girls. As a natural leader for women paired with a data-driven and policy-oriented mindset, she balances a compassionate, person-centered approach with analytical thinking. Tanzania aims to fuse creativity with efficiency, a talent evidently expressed in her professional work encompassing social science research, epidemiological data management, stakeholder support, and capacity building at the state level.
Samantha Grono - Project Manager - Economics & Legislative Affairs
Samantha is a fierce advocate for advancing equity and breaking down barriers for historically marginalized communities. Her career has always been driven by people-centered work, through AmeriCorps service and in other sectors like early education and nonprofit policy. She deeply values community autonomy and believes in supporting the unique goals that local groups identify work best for them by leveraging the power government systems can offer.
Samantha comes to the Women’s Commission after participating in a 24-month early childhood policy fellowship with Pathwaves WA, where she worked and learned together with equally dedicated women of color across varying non-profit and public service organizations in Washington. At the Commission, she is excited to broaden her policy expertise in the plethora of categories that affect women and girls and expand our reach to better understand and support all 3.8 million women across Washington State.
Originally from Arizona, Samantha earned her Bachelor’s Degree at Northern Arizona University in Speech-Language Services with a minor in Disability Studies. After time working with elementary students in literacy acquisition in Austin, Texas, she obtained her master’s degree in education policy from the University of Washington.
Samantha currently lives in Renton with her partner, where they love to explore the beautiful nature of the state.
Eliza Craig - Communications & Outreach Coordinator
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.
Erin Beck - Executive Assistant
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.
