Leadership Changes at the Washington State Women’s Commission
“As a public servant, I know how important it is to ensure that the diverse perspectives of our population are reflected in the work the State does to serve each and every Washington resident. The Women's Commission team has been a partner of the Commission on Hispanic Affairs since its inception, and as such, it felt like a no-brainer to step in during this transitional period.”
CHA is the Office of the Governor’s eldest commission, created by Executive Order in 1971. Since then, the CHA team has and continues to work tirelessly to identify the needs of Washington’s Hispanic and Latine population and advance policy, programs, and Commission initiatives to address them.
Acting Director Sigüenza has led CHA since 2018, guiding the team through several transitions and significant growth. While continuing in her role at CHA, she will extend her leadership and extensive expertise in management and policy development to WSWC until a permanent Executive Director is appointed.
Sigüenza will not be guiding the Commission alone. WSWC’s longest-serving staff member, Leah White, has been promoted to a new role: WSWC’s first-ever Deputy Director.
Meet Deputy Director Leah White
Deputy Director White joined WSWC in August 2021, bringing with her a strong background in public policy and advocacy, particularly around caregiving responsibilities that disproportionately impact women, especially women of color.
“I believe deeply in the mission of the Women's Commission. Our work focuses on breaking down barriers for women and promoting gender equity, especially for the most vulnerable in our communities.”
White has over 20 years of diverse experience in the workforce, including a decade in early childhood education. There, White witnessed firsthand the devaluation of those in caregiving professions who support the development of the next generation. This understanding informs her leadership and commitment to advocating for policies that support women in the workplace.
“We’re not just pushing for policies that support women; we’re also fostering leadership pathways that uplift others and create more opportunities for women across our agency and the state to lead, advocate, and drive change in their own communities.”
Over its 6-year history, WSWC has had three Executive Directors; Michelle Gonzalez, Regina Malveaux, and Grace Yoo. Each era of leadership has moved WSWC towards its overarching mission:
“To improve the life of every woman by ensuring equitable opportunities and removing systemic barriers through engagement, advocacy, and public policy, while being inclusive of our diverse populations.”
However, each Director has the freedom to determine the best path towards that goal.
Former WSWC Executive Director Grace Yoo takes new role at Department of Commerce
Grace Yoo, appointed by Governor Jay Inslee in May 2023, focused on women’s economic empowerment during her tenure. Under her leadership, WSWC launched Activate 3.8, an initiative aimed at closing the gender pay gap in Washington. By building partnerships, advocating for policy reform, and expanding career opportunities for women, Activate 3.8 has become a cornerstone of WSWC’s efforts toward equity.
“When women have access to economic opportunities and stability, it directly leads to better health and safety outcomes,” explains White.
Looking ahead, Leah and the Commission are excited to expand the Activate 3.8 initiative. This includes continuing the 10-city tour to promote pay equity, a focused policy agenda for the 2025 legislative session, and developing equitable pay practices within state government and beyond.
Yoo will continue to work on economic equity initiatives from her new post as Assistant Director at the Washington State Department of Commerce where she will lead the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness (OEDC).
A New Era of Leadership
With Acting Director Maria Sigüenza and Deputy Director Leah White at the helm, WSWC is poised to continue making strides in advancing gender equity in Washington. Their combined expertise and passion for justice will guide the Commission as we push for policies and programs that empower women across the state.
ABOUT THE WASHINGTON STATE WOMEN’S COMMISSION
The Washington State Women’s Commission (WSWC) is an executive branch cabinet agency in the Office of Governor Inslee serving as the primary voice in government for Washington women and girls. Signed into law in 2018, WSWC develops policies and initiatives to address critical issues that disproportionately affect women, including childcare access and affordability, domestic and gender-based violence, equal pay, health care access, and intersectional inequities. Through strategic listening and collaboration, we represent the 3.8 million women and girls across the state.
