Executive Board
Department of Natural Resources
I am excited to stepping into the role of the Executive Chair for ICSEW. I have spent the last two years in two roles on the board, my first year as the Executive Co-Secretary and second as Professional Development Sub-Committee Co-Chair. I look forward to continuing the momentum that the committee has made as we shifted, post-COVID, into a primarily virtual format with the help of our amazing board and committee members. As I’ve learned in my time on the board of the committee, our success is team effort. I began my service in state service with the Department of Natural Resources 6 years ago, joining the small dive team that monitors the geoduck harvest. Looking to do more in state government, I sought out opportunities for growth, including joining ICSEW as a member in 2021, graduating from an internal leadership fellowship in 2022 and leading our internal Women’s Employee Resource Group in 2023-2024. After four years on the dive team, I was ready to challenge myself and took a temporary assignment over the 2023-2024 sessions as the Legislative Coordinator helping me land my current position as a Safety Officer. As I discovered, all my experience guided me to a place where I was ready for to continue the great work as your chair.
Department of Licensing
Alyssa Woods is a Program Specialist at the Department of Licensing in the Business and Professions Division. Her career with the state began in June of 2022, and her journey with ICSEW as an executive board member followed in May of 2023. After participating in board meetings, the annual conference, and networking events, Alyssa’s passion to serve has only grown. As the current Vice Chair, she is excited to continue being an advocate for the education and empowerment of state employed women.
Washington State Student Achievement Council
Danica Mitchell is a data analyst for the WA529 College Savings Plans, administered by the Washington Student Achievement Council. She has a master's degree in business administration from Western Governor’s University and is currently engaged in furthering her data analyst skills through various learning opportunities, including certificate programs.
Mitchell joined ICSEW in 2018 for professional development and networking opportunities. Through ICSEW, she discovered she enjoys collaborating with others and quickly joined the membership subcommittee. She is pleased to serve as treasurer and looks forward to continued collaboration with ICSEW.
Employment Security Department
Hallie Sutter began her career with the state of Washington in January of 2024 and currently serves as an Administrative Assistant for the Employment Security Department. In her role, she provides support to seven WorkSource offices throughout the Southwest Coastal Region.
Hallie joined ICSEW as a general member when she began her state service and stepped into the role of Co-Executive Secretary in February 2025. She also contributes to the Engagement Subcommittee.
Residing in Tumwater, WA, Hallie lives with her husband and their two cats. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from The Evergreen State College. Outside of work, Hallie enjoys cooking and baking, gardening, taking long urban walks, and serving on her local transit agency’s Citizens Advisory Committee.
Subcommittee Chairs
PHR, Utilities and Trans. Commission
TJ (Theresa) Canfield currently works for the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) as a Human Resource (HR) Business Partner (HRBP). Previously, TJ served on HR teams for the Departments of Commerce and Licensing. With over two decades of HR experience, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of others in every aspect of their journey
TJ has been actively involved with the ICSEW for more than two years. She started her journey with ICSEW as part of a subcommittee for the annual conference, where she played a key role in media relations and marketing. Her efforts ensured a vibrant and engaging presence on social media platforms related to the conference. Since then, TJ joined the Communications subcommittee as their chair.
TJ resides in Eastern Washington, in the city of Richland, where she shares her home with her husband and their three fur babies—two yorkies and a shorkie. She has recently discovered a passion for all things sourdough and is eager to perfect her baking skills. Who knows? Perhaps one day, you could team up in the kitchen and share the joy of baking together!
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Leia Althauser is the Community Involvement and Education Manager for the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (DFW). Her team focuses on helping Washingtonians connect and engage responsibly with fish and wildlife where they live, work and play.
2024 is Leia’s fourth year at DFW and in state service. She’s been in ICSEW for almost two years and in July of 2024 she began her role as engagement committee 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’s had throughout university and in the various roles she’s held. She hopes to continue to uplift, inspire, and empower women, nonbinary, and allies through her work in ICSEW.
Department of Licensing
Alice Thorell serves as a Management Analyst for the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). In this role, she leverages her expertise in data analysis and visualization to generate insights that support leadership in making strategic resource decisions. She thrives on teamwork, tackling process challenges, and enhancing service quality. Currently, Alice supervises one analyst and aspires to expand her leadership by managing a larger team in the future.
Alice Thorell became an ICSEW member in 2023. She started her journey with her involvement in the Special Projects subcommittee, where she now leads a small team focused on addressing Power Automate needs. Currently, Alice serves as the Conference Production co-chair, showcasing her dedication and leadership skills.
Alice embodies courage, curiosity, and empathy as her key leadership qualities. She believes these traits are essential for fostering employee engagement and building strong, meaningful relationships. Her passion lies in guiding others to discover and develop their strengths.
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 two dogs. In her spare time, Alice enjoys nature walks, birdwatching, and gardening.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Pronounced SHAY-lee BA-toong-BA-call.
Aloha ʻoukou! Hello all! My name is Chalee, and I am the Legislative Coordinator at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). I started with WDFW as a Legislative Intern for the 2019 session and have been on the Legislative Affairs team since then. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences (Biology) with a minor in Environmental Policy. I am currently in school to obtain my second bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian Pacific Studies.
I started attending ICSEW meetings in 2023 and am eager to continue building a network and community within the ICSEW. I am passionate about educating others about the legislative process and demystifying how “the sausage gets made.” I am looking forward to co-chairing the Legislative & Policy Committee and bringing my skillset to the ICSEW.
I live in Tacoma with my boyfriend, a rambunctious Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and a mischievous Maine Coon cat. When we are not working, we enjoy going for long walks in our neighborhood, exploring local restaurants and shops, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Employment Security Department
Stephanie works for the Employment Security Department. She holds bachelor’s degrees in physics and electrical engineering. She started her career in the private sector in computer hardware then has worked in state government for about five years. For the last five years she has also been active in the Thurston County Food Project. Stephanie is passionate about bringing merit-based hiring and promotion practices back to our state government.
Department of Licensing
Brooke Nutt is a Regulatory Process Specialist with the Department of Licensing in the Regulatory Compliance, UCC, and Firearms unit within the Business and Professions division. She has been an active member with ICSEW since 2019 and is the current co-chair for the Conference and Meeting Production subcommittee. Prior to her work with the Washington State Department of Licensing, Brooke worked with the California Department of Motor Vehicles for 10 years.
She is married and has 2 dogs whom she loves dearly. She owns a wholesale bakery and supplies baked goods to local coffee shops within her community. She has had an active role with a local non-profit for the last 3 years and most recently was the Board President for a local organization assisting the underserved community within Shelton, Washington.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling, and of course, baking! She is passionate about helping others and is continually finding ways to improve herself and the world around her.
Office of Administrative Hearings
Connie Becker has been a Legal Administrative Manager at the Office of Administrative Hearings since August 2019 and an ICSEW member since 2021. Prior to state service, she worked as an HR director at Taholah School District and as a Legal Administrator and Paralegal in private legal practices in Seattle and Fort Lauderdale, FL. Connie earned a Bachelor of Arts in German from Western Washington University, a Paralegal Certificate from Highline Community College, and an MBA and Master’s Certificate in HR Management from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.