 Access & Accessibility Bench
For the Access & Accessibility team, 2024 was a year of building. All four team members joined this past year! The team quickly set to work starting relationships with community members, crafting a strategic plan, and creating resources. Our team supported the building of the Digital Equity Forum and made contributions to the Community Engagement Toolkit. We’re especially excited about our new Language Access Program Manager and Disability Access Program Manager.
Our team is excited to focus on the Universal Access Plan for 2025, which will debut at the 2025 Office of Equity Convening. This plan will contain several resources that will help state agencies create more alignment, teamwork, and consistency in their approach to access. A large piece of this Universal Access Plan will be a tool to help Washington State Agencies have a point of reference for their current access efforts, compare them to best practices, and make goals to improve.
When blocks to access are known and removed, everyone can be involved in the results that affect their lives. We advance these efforts by working with Washington state agencies, Tribes, and community members. This teamwork creates a framework that improves access to information, participation, and resources across state government. By helping agencies to identify the best practices, barriers, and opportunities for improvement we can create a Barrier-Free Washington for All.
 Communications Bench
In 2024, the Communications Team worked hard to build out our staff and our processes for messaging & events. We hosted our 2nd Annual We the People Convening- which focused on bringing government and community together. We hired additional staff to work on specific projects and social media. We grew our audience on our newsletters (like this one you’re reading now!) to keep reaching State Employees and community members alike. We know that our contribution to systems change means we must make the work of our office and state government visible and accessible to All Washingtonians.
There is much excitement to be had in 2025 as we continue in these efforts. As more pathways are created to provide resources for the people to have a thriving Washington state, we remain dedicated to using our platforms to spread the word, engage community members, and uplift state agencies and employees. We look forward to sharing our journey with you all. Stay tuned for more to come!
 Community Advisory Board
[left to right] Alaura Miller, Drayton Jackson, Logan Drummond, Kara Chung, Travis Bob, Guadalupe Huitron-Lilly, Kamilah Keyes-Brown, Victor Loo, Yaslin Torres Pena, and Twa-Le Abrahamson. CAB lunch in Yakima with Travis Bob of A&B Native American Cuisine.
In 2024, the Office of Equity Community Advisory Board (CAB) joined forces with other Equity teams on multiple projects. The inclusion of the CAB in these projects ensures that tools, materials, and reports are informed by community input. This work models the way forward in how government can partner with community in a clear and personal way. The Community Advisory Board showed up on projects by:
(Left to Right) Logan Drummond, Kamilah Keyes-Brown, Alaura Miller, Twa-Le Abrahamson, Yaslin Torres Pena, Latrice Williams, Victor Loo, Kara Chung, Drayton Jackson. CAB & CAB PM’s at PEAR Star awards at Office of Equity Convening.
Looking into this next year, the Community Advisory Board will continue to shape relationships with community and government. This informs projects and passes information to the community in real time. The CAB will participate in state contracting work, recommending funding strategies that empower communities. The CAB will also be participating in legislative advocacy alongside the Office’s legislative team.
In 2025, the Community Advisory Board is looking to build coalitions with other advisory boards, such as the work we’ve done with the Community Reinvestment Project Advisory board and Poverty Reduction Workgroup. This work builds trust between community and government and continues to model how community advisory boards can be effective in government. Reach out if you want to build together!
 Equity & Belonging Bench
[back row from left to right] Jean Paul, Will Waverly, Sabrina Njoroge, Jasmine Remick; [front row from left to right] Naghmana Sherazi, Yeni Sandoval, Kalimah Uhaama, Amber Ortiz-Diaz, Rauneisha Larkins, Onya Robertson, Nicholas Vann
In 2024, The Equity & Belonging team built a strong foundation for shaping a Washington for All. This team’s work is rooted in community engagement and the Shared Power Principle. The Equity and Belonging team work together in Washington State Government to dismantle barriers and promote just and inclusive rules & policies.
Here are all the accomplishments that the Equity & Belonging Team was a part of in 2024:
The Equity & Belonging Team strives to build a culture of belonging where collaboration & community engagement are at the center. Through these efforts, the Office of Equity makes government more relational, accountable, and aligned with the vision of Washington for All.
 Legislative Bench
We are excited to announce the comeback of our much-awaited video series, Equity in Session, for its second season! Hosted by our Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs, Omar Santana-Gomez (he/him) , and Senior Policy & Legislative Affairs Advisor Patrick Stickney (he/him), this series will keep you up-to-date with vital information and highlights throughout the 2025 Legislative Session.
 Tribal Relations Bench
[left to right] Casey Wynecoop, Bryan Newland (Former US Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs), iisaaksiichaa braine
In 2024, the Tribal Relations team doubled in size by bringing on a new team member, Casey Wynecoop. Casey’s role will be focusing on Digital Equity, which includes co-leading the Office of Equity's Digital Equity Forum and their hiring and promotion of voices from tribal communities.
The Tribal Relations team actively led the launch of a new Business Resource Group for American Indian and Alaska Native state workers: SOVEREIGN! Office of Equity’s Tribal Liaison iisaaksiichaa braine is the SOVEREIGN’s executive sponsor, as well as one of the founding members. Learn more about Business Resource Groups here!
The Tribal Relations team traveled through the state meeting in community at events like student veterans’ recognitions, celebrations of life, fundraisers, and community outreach assemblies. To build community and government relationships, you must be in and a part of it! Speaking of community, this team also supported the Office of Equity by creating a Tribal Consultation Manual for internal education.
Over the next year, the Tribal Relations team looks forward to expanding to better support the growing needs of tribal communities. They continue to build strong partnerships with tribal governments and Washington State through regular consultations, meetings, and collaborative projects.
 New Staff
At the Office of Equity, we stayed busy during the end of the third quarter and well into the fourth quarter of 2024. We grew in numbers as we recognized the need for additional support in specific areas. Here are the amazing and talented individuals who have joined our office.
August 2024 welcomed:
- Nancy Mburu (she/her), Digital Equity Communications Consultant
- Sabrina Roach (she/her), Statewide Digital Equity Analyst
September 2024 we were joined by:
- Casey Wynecoop (he/him), Digital Equity Tribal Relations Liaison
October 2024 brought us:
- Natalia Koss Vallejo (she/her), Community Outreach Project Manager
- Anisha Govindankutty (she/her), Statewide Spatial Equity Analyst
November 2024 we hired on:
- Shekeylia Douglas (she/her), Digital Communications Accessibility Specialist
- Christian Cruz (he/him), Statewide Equity Impact Analyst
- Ruth Diaz (she/her), Statewide Equity Accountability Analyst.
December 2024 was our biggest month, bringing on:
- Cheyenne Jourdan (she/her), Communications Specialist
- Caitlin Clevenger (she/her), Digital Equity Events Manager
- Brian Turner (he/him), Website Specialist
- Silong Chhun (he/him), Communications Specialist (started January 16th, 2025)
We are thrilled to have everyone here contributing to the efforts of our office, creating a Washington for All.
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