Executive Board
Executive Chair | Alice Thorell
Department of Licensing
Alice Thorell (she/her) is honored to serve as the Executive Chair of the Interagency Committee of State Employed Women (ICSEW). Alice previously served as the ICSEW Conference Production Co-Chair in 2024/2025, delivering professional development content to over 500 Washington State Employees. Alice is as a Management Analyst Supervisor for the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).
Alice brings her leadership skills and analysis expertise to both her ICSEW and DOL roles. She embodies her core leadership values by practicing courage over comfort, curiosity over judgement, and excellence over perfection. She leverages her expertise in data and process analysis to identify opportunities for improvement. She thrives on collaborative problem solving and continual process improvement.
Prior to beginning her state service career, Alice managed information technology services in the legal industry. She led a regional Service Desk at one of Seattle’s largest law firms, successfully steering teams through several large-scale technology projects.
Alice holds a master’s degree in public administration from Seattle University and is a Certified Diversity Professional, accredited by the Institute for Diversity Certification. She resides in Des Moines, WA, with her partner and four dogs. In her spare time, Alice enjoys nature walks, birdwatching, and gardening.
Vice Chair | Kassandra Drake
Washington State Investment Board
Kassandra Drake serves as a Human Resource (HR) Consultant with the Washington State Investment Board, bringing over a decade of expertise in HR consultation. Her extensive experience encompasses recruitment and retention, HR policy, employee development, and beyond. Taking a consultative approach, Kassandra prioritizes human relations in her work, fostering meaningful connections and strategic solutions.
As a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, she believes that a workplace where individuals feel valued, respected, empowered, and supported is essential for a healthy and high-functioning organization. Kassandra holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, complemented by a minor in Women’s Studies from Washington State University.
Governor's Office Liaison | Jeanne Colvin
Jeanne Colvin brings a genuine passion for people to her work as Director of Constituent Services in the Office of Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson. At her core, Jeanne is a connector, someone who believes deeply in showing up for others, including advocating for the professional growth and wellbeing of women across state government. Through her leadership of the Constituent Services Unit, she has built a team culture rooted in care, responsiveness, and genuine human connection.
Before returning to Washington, Jeanne spent eight years in the Arizona Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families, where she poured her energy into building healthier communities by leading efforts to prevent substance misuse and abuse, supporting drug-endangered children, and bringing together the people needed to make real change happen.
Jeanne holds a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Central Washington University. She’s guided as much by heart as by her expertise: a firm believer in post-traumatic growth, in creating spaces and experiences where people feel truly seen and supported, and in the idea that good government starts with genuine care for the people it serves.
Emeritus Chair | Janet McIntosh
Department of Natural Resources
Janet just completed her two-year term as the ICSEW Executive Chair and is stepping into the role of Emeritus Chair created during her term. She is dedicated to providing support and ensure a smooth succession for the next round of leaders in ICSEW. Her goal is to help better improve the legacy when one chair departs and the new one starts. Prior to the Executive Chair term, Janet served on the executive board as Meeting Production Co-Chair (formerly called Professional Development) and Executive Co-Secretary.
Janet works for the Department of Natural Resources as an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist. Her job is to assess and improve the safety of all DNR employees by going out to the work locations and evaluating conditions, to discuss ways to improve and seek to mitigate safety risks. She is starting her 8th year with the agency, getting her start on their Geoduck Dive Team, monitoring the harvest and ensuring contract compliance. Before her transition to Safety, she held the Legislative Coordinator Position for the 2022 and 2023 Legislative sessions.
Outside of work, Janet finds joy beneath the surface—scuba diving is her favorite way to unwind and explore the underwater world.
Co-Treasurer | Cheyenne Chonette
Co-Treasurer |
Co-Executive Secretary | Chelsea Wright
Co-Executive Secretary | Vacant
Subcommittees
Communications
Co-Chair Birgit Miller
Department of Revenue
Birgit Miller joined the Department of Revenue (DOR) in 2007 as an Excise Tax Examiner, helping businesses file their tax returns. Today, she serves as DOR’s Tax Policy Specialist in the Legislative and Policy Division, specializing on legislation relating to excise tax incentives, renewable/green energy, and clean transportation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Birgit started attending ICSEW’s general membership meetings pandemic as an opportunity to interact with others. After being named DOR’s alternate representative, she joined the Communications Subcommittee. In June 2025, Birgit was appointed the Co-Chair of the Communications Subcommittee and continues to represent Communications while attending the Conference and Meeting Production Subcommittee meetings.
Outside of work, Birgit enjoys reading, quilting, knitting, crocheting, walking, and hiking. As passionate supporter of the arts, she frequently attends concerts and theatrical performances and volunteers her time at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts and Harlequin Productions in downtown Olympia.
Co-Chair Olivia Arver-Grimm
olivia.arver-grimm@dshs.wa.gov
Olivia currently works for Eastern State Hospital as the Continuous Improvement/Change Manager. Previously, she worked in the private sector in a variety of roles including consulting, project and program management, and people leadership. She also has experience as a graphic designer, a skill she has frequently used throughout her career. She has more than 15 years of experience in corporate leadership and project management and is passionate about process improvement, problem solving, and creative communication.
She only recently joined ICSEW, serving as a member of the Book Club sub-subcommittee. After learning about the amazing work this group does, she decided she wanted to play a larger role and joined the Communications subcommittee as co-chair.
Olivia lives in Eastern Washington (Deer Park, which is near Spokane) with her husband, two dogs, several quail, and a bunch of sassy chickens. She has three grown children and is an artist. She and her husband enjoy the farm life in their rural community, tending their large garden and collecting lots of eggs.
Conference Production
Co-Chairs Leia Althauser & Samantha Zee
About Leia Althauser:
Office of Equity
Leia Althauser is the Engagement Manager for the Office of Equity. She focuses on helping underserved Washingtonians receive equal access to state resources and services and helping agencies be more equitable in their public engagement processes.
2026 is Leia’s sixth year in state service. She’s been a member of ICSEW since 2022 and in January of 2025 she began her role as Conference Subcommittee co-chair.
Leia’s personal life and professional career have been shaped by the strong, passionate women who raised her as well as the empathetic and visionary mentors she has had throughout university and in the various roles she has held. She hopes to continue to uplift, inspire, and empower women, nonbinary, and allies through her work in ICSEW.
About Samantha Zee:
Department of Health
Samantha Zee is the Department of Health’s Policy and Legislative Relations Director focused on the Office of Innovation and Technology. She previously worked as the Enterprise IT Policy Manager at WaTech, and in private industry as the Division Manager responsible for operations of an answering service that served her local health department and other critical medical services during COVID. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her partner and their 23-year-old-daughter, hiking, biking, playing music, and making art. She is motivated by learning and is excited to learn from the amazing women in ICSEW.
Engagement and Book Club
Engagement Co-Chair: Linda Tilson
Book Club Co-Chairs: Jennifer Whittemore and Te Young
About Linda Tilson:
House of Representatives
Linda is a seasoned accounting professional with nearly two decades of leadership experience in Washington State government. Throughout her career, she has held several key positions, including Accounting Services Manager for the Department of Labor and Industries, Business Process Re-Engineering Manager for the Office of Financial Management, and currently serves as Accounting Coordinator for the Washington State House of Representatives.
Known for her ability to consistently deliver results, Linda is passionate about aligning technology, processes, and people to enhance organizational effectiveness and achieve meaningful outcomes. Her unique ability to bridge operational, technical, and human-centered perspectives has made her a trusted change agent and collaborator.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Linda is a natural relationship-builder who values authentic connections and believes in empowering others to reach their full potential. She is dedicated to helping individuals develop the confidence, courage, and mindset needed to take purposeful action and become the best version of themselves.
About Jennifer Whittemore:
Department of Health
jennifer.whittemore@doh.wa.gov
Jennifer is a PMI-certified project manager at the Department of Health. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature (hurrah for books and reading!) and, after satisfying her wanderlust by working internationally in Holland, China, Ireland, Mexico and Israel, obtained a more useful Master of Business Administration degree from Washington State University. Annually, Jennifer challenges herself to read at least 100 books and sometimes even accomplishes it!
About Te Young:
Department of Health and Social Services
Te Young's journey in state government began in the late 1900s. Their current role is as the Strategic Projects Manager for the Human Resource Division at the Department of Social and Health Services. Te's professional toolkit includes a Paralegal degree from South Sound Community College, an Information Technology Bachelor's from The Evergreen State College, a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, and is a PROSCI Certified Change Practitioner. Te is also a stickler for the Oxford comma and a believer in the power of two spaces after a period. Besides reading, Te unwinds by cutting up perfectly good fabric and meticulously piecing it back together to create beautiful, handcrafted quilts.
Legislative and Policy
Co-Chairs Ava McCluskey and Michelle Stillings
About Ava McCluskey:
Office of Financial Management
Ava McCluskey is the manager of the Statewide Registration Unit within the Accounting Division at the Washington State Office of Financial Management. The Registration Unit is responsible for maintaining central supplier and customer databases for all Washington State Agencies to use when processing payments or receipts. As the leader and technical expert, Ava guides the unit’s efforts in meeting organizational objectives and strategic vision. She also supports agency-wide initiatives including equity and belonging and continuous improvement.
Ava has worked for the State of Washington since 2016 and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in public administration from The Evergreen State College. She also holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute and is certified in Lean Six Sigma and Prosci Change Management.
About Michelle Stillings:
michelle.stillings@dshs.wa.gov
As a Business Analyst, Michelle has served as a bridge between business needs and technology solutions, speaking both ‘Business’ and ‘Techie’ to connect vulnerable adults and the developmentally disabled to state services. In private industry, she has worked as a legislative, policy, budget and compliance/regulatory research analyst, as well as senior consultant, technical writer/editor and communications strategist.
She learned to ‘work the problem’ growing up in an engineering and communications family in King County, and has put communications and social history degrees from the University of Washington to work writing women’s history articles for the ICSEW blog. Michelle values accessibility, creativity and collaboration, and strives to support the vulnerable.
Meeting Production
Co-Chairs Sandra Allen and Aunna Moss
About Sandra Allen:
Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration
Sandra M. Allen is a Meeting Production Subcommittee co-chair for the ICSEW. She currently serves as the Policy, Operations, Workforce Engagement Strategic Advisor at the Special Commitment Center. She is committed to advancing equity and belonging throughout the agency and brings to the ICSEW board 14 years of state service within multiple administrations.
With experience and education focused on mental health treatment and provision of human services, she believes that the key to serving both internal and external customers well includes taking a holistic approach.
Sandra is a proud Washington native, mother of two young adults, Human Services Commissioner for the city of Tacoma, Women’s University Club member and vocal coach. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, engaging in performing arts, and traveling with her family.
About Aunna Moss:
Office of Financial Management
Aunna Moss is an Organization Strategy and Performance Lead Consultant for the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM). In this role, she partners with leaders and employees to support division strategic planning, non-IT project management, process improvement, and organizational change management efforts. Aunna also supports agency-wide initiatives including strategic planning and OFM’s Impact Plan.
Aunna has worked for the State of Washington since 2013 and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Martin’s University. She is also certified in Lean Six Sigma and Prosci Change Management.
Special Projects
Co-Chair Masozi Nyirenda