Executive Board
Department of Licensing
sfashana@dol.wa.gov
I am Sequenna Fashana, I have been with state government for over five years as a licensing service representative at Department of Licensing. For the last two years, I’ve worked in the reentry unit, where my work partner and I issue ID cards to individuals who are being released from a Washington state correctional facility.
I have a passion for working with people. I love to laugh, have fun and be with my family.
I attended my first ICSEW meeting in late 2019 when I was invited by a coworker. Since then, I’ve grown to love this group of women and I am so thankful during this time I’ve been able to connect, grow and learn from amazing mentors and leaders we have within this group.
I’m excited for the opportunity to serve along Rachael as the co-executive secretary and be a part of moving ICSEW forward.
Department of Revenue
mariannem@dor.wa.gov
I joined ICSEW to connect with women from other Washington State agencies. Since I joined in 2017, I’ve met and worked with many amazing women. I started with the Membership Subcommittee and then became the subcommittee chair. After 4 years, I accepted the Vice Chair role.
I enjoy collaborating with ICSEW members on ways to make our committee fulfilling for all those who participate with our committee from members to guests at our meetings and trainings.
I work for Department of Revenue as a Tax Policy Manager in our Research and Fiscal Analysis division. My division focuses on providing fiscal notes and estimates to the legislators during session. Off-session, we calculate impacts for future proposals and complete legislative studies and calculations. It's busy but I love researching new topics and analyzing the impacts.
Washington State Student Achievement Council
danicam@wsac.wa.gov
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.
Department of Health
kaitlin.nielsen@doh.wa.gov
Kaitlin Nielsen is a public disclosure supervisor for the Washington state Department of Health. She began her journey in state service almost 8 years ago and thoroughly enjoys helping the people of Washington state. In her spare time she enjoys traveling to various places across the state, nation, and world.
She says she is excited to step into the role as treasurer because “I have always enjoyed working with numbers and have taken accounting courses. This was the perfect opportunity to expand my skillset while working with a fantastic multiagency network of women with similar values. “
Subcommittee Chairs
Keri O' Connell, Department of Revenue
Keri O’Connell has been a public service for the state of Washington for almost 25 years, many of which being with the Department of Revenue. She is the Tribal Tax Information and Policy Specialist with Tribal Partnerships Program in the Executive Division. Through her work, she engages with tribes, tribal citizens, and entities conducting business with tribes. She enjoys discussing tax topics with others. Her passion is serving the public in the best capacity she can.
Through her employment with the state, Keri has been an active member of the Combined Fund Drive, serving in several roles of the Thurston County CFD Steering Committee.
Keri joined ICSEW in July 2020 as an alternate for her agency, joining the Legislation and Policy and the Communications subcommittees. She enjoys volunteering alongside her peers, pulling weeds for the Thurston County Food Bank’s garden and for SafePlace’s safe-housing property.
Keri is a from Olympia and enjoys spending time with her three children exploring the outdoors and culture our beautiful state has to offer.
Department of Commerce
360-725-2777
leslie.wolff@commerce.wa.gov
Hi. I’m Leslie Wolff. I joined ICSEW because I believe that while there have been improvements for state employed women since ICSEW’s beginnings, there is still equity work to be done on a lot of levels and this group can make a difference in that work. I get a lot out of this group. I really value having ways to connect with folks who work in other agencies, who I would never have had the opportunity to otherwise meet. I also really like the learning opportunities that this committee provides. I hope that I am able to help further improve the lives of state employees and all Washingtonians.
Hello! My name is Jen Ward. My career in state government began in June 2020 at the Employment Security Department as an Admin Assistant 4. After 6 months, I began supporting the Commissioner’s office as an Executive Assistant until May 2023 when I became a Project Coordinator. In my current role, I’m gaining experience in Project Management by helping on different agency projects and learning a lot along the way!
I joined ICSEW in 2021 to expand my professional network, challenge myself to try something new, and to meet other women in state government. I have enjoyed ICSEW for the personal and professional development opportunities it provides, the community, and the fun! As a member of the Membership Subcommittee, I enjoy collaborating with other women to improve policies and processes that make it easier to be a part of this amazing committee. I look forward to continuing this work!
Kathryn Pittelkau is the Policy Program Manager for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) with the DSHS Home and Community Services.
Kathryn has 25+ years of WA state service working for both HCA and DSHS. Her background includes Medicaid Provider Enrollment, Contract Management, Health Home and now running the PACE operations for the state.
Her interests are traveling, reading, working out and spending time with her family.
Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, with a minor in Women’s Studies from Western Washington University and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University.
Department of Natural Resources
janet.mcintosh@dnr.wa.gov
Prior to state service, Janet McIntosh spent 15 years in the scuba diving industry as a leader, showing women and girls that they had a place as dive professionals. When she joined DNR in July of 2018, she hoped to share that goal. She began as a compliance diver and team lead, working daily on a boat, monitoring the wild stock geoduck harvest. During the 2023 legislative session 2023, McIntosh served as DNR’s legislative coordinator. In May of 2023, she became DNR’s safety officer of investigations and inspections.
McIntosh learned about ICSEW through DNR’s Women’s Employee Resource Group in 2019 and began attending meetings. She became an ICSEW representative in 2021 because "I couldn't pass up the opportunity." In 2022, she served as executive co-secretary and is now the professional development co-chair.
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Office of Administrative Hearings
connie.becker@oah.wa.gov
Biography coming soon
Kassandra Drake, Washington State Investment Board
Kassandra Drake is a human resources consultant, with the Washington State Investment Board
Kassandra began her career in Human Resources 10 years ago working at a small Tacoma-based company called Excel Installations, where she helped build the HR function within the business.
Kassandra made a move to public service over a year ago when she joined Washington State Investment Board as an HR Consultant, helping rebuild the HR team and establish HR acumen within the agency.
Kassandra has extensive experience in recruitment and retention, HR policy, employee development, and much more. Kassandra holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a minor in Women’s Studies from Washington State University.
Department of Revenue
Summer Ramos has been a tax administration manager for the Department of Revenue for the last five years. Ramos is tasked with training new staff in their 6–9-month training program. She gets to work from home with two virtual middle school and high school sons, her spouse (who is another virtual worker for the state of Washington), and a very needy Great Dane.
Teaching and encouraging others are an integral part of Ramos' career and home life. She experienced a lot of trials as a female leader throughout different jobs and roles.
Ramos passionately encourages others to lead from wherever they are. Ramos believes everyone can be a leader of inclusion, engagement, commitment and passion even when their job title doesn’t say “manager.” She is dedicated to empowering others to find a way to add their flair, personality, and interests to whatever they do.
Department of Enterprise Services
masozi.nyirenda@des.wa.gov
Masozi Nyirenda is a human resources business partner with the Department of Enterprise Services, DES. Prior, she served as chief of staff to Tara C. Smith, director of DES.
Nyirenda is deeply committed to celebrating Black Girl Magic. She actively uplifts and shines a spotlight on women and their allies who dedicate themselves to empowering and serving Black women and members of the LGBTQ+ communities. Within ICSEW, she is particularly passionate about driving tangible change and providing opportunities for Black women to have a voice and platform, while simultaneously supporting their success in the public service sector.
Nyirenda holds bachelor’s degrees in communications and political science, as well as a law degree. Her love for travel has taken her visiting all seven continents (and living in four) visiting and exploring more than 50 countries. In addition to ICSEW, she actively participates in other Washington state Business Resource Groups.
Department of Enterprise Services
tara.smith@des.wa.gov
Biography coming soon
Department of Licensing
brooke.nutt@dol.wa.gov
I joined ICSEW in 2019 after a co-worker invited me to a membership meeting. I joined the public outreach subcommittee shortly after and have enjoyed every minute! My favorite aspect of public outreach is being able to connect with women and talking to them about all the wonderful opportunities ICSEW offers.
I’m a regulatory process manager for the Department of Licensing’s regulatory compliance, UCC, and firearms section within its business and professions division. And I also serve at my agency’s diversity and inclusion group. I’ve have worked DOL since 2017 and before that I worked for the state of California.
In my spare time I help a couple of non-profits in my community. I love to bake, take macro photos, spend time with my doggies, friends and family.
Office of Financial Management
allison.spector@ofm.wa.gov
Allison is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Data analyst at the Washington Office of Financial Management’s (OFM’s) Workforce Strategies Section. Allison started her career in state government at the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises and prior to OFM worked at the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Office of Equal Opportunity. Allison has a joint JD / MBA and a bachelor’s in psychology. Allison served on Governor Inslee’s Equity Office Taskforce which developed the recommendations that led to creation of the nation’s first statewide Office of Equity. Allison has been in state government for about five years. Allison is passionate about helping current and prospective state employees find their way in state government.
I joined ICSEW to support other women in state government and to promote visibility of transgender individuals.
ICSEW is a great supportive environment where you can meet other amazing women professionals.
My hope is that partnerships can continue to develop relationships to other groups that impact women employed in state government. I also want to foster connections with the state business resource groups and the new Office of Equity.
Office of the Governor
vacant