FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Hyde, 360.819.3045, kevin.hyde@psp.wa.gov
OLYMPIA — Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Stephanie Harrington to the Puget Sound Partnership's Leadership Council, the governing body of the Puget Sound Partnership. Harrington is the associate dean for administration for the University of Washington’s College of the Environment and previously served at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
“Stephanie Harrington’s leadership experience, her gift for facilitating partnerships and cooperation, and her scientific background all make her an excellent addition to the Puget Sound Partnership’s Leadership Council,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “With her passion for the environment and her knowledge, Stephanie will help us make great strides toward achieving a healthy and resilient Puget Sound.”
“I am very excited that Stephanie has been appointed to serve on the Leadership Council,” said Dennis McLerran, chair of the Puget Sound Partnership’s Leadership Council. “She brings excellent skills and credentials to this position. I am looking forward to working together with her on implementation of the Partnership’s Action Agenda and the incredibly important work of restoring Puget Sound’s health.”
In her role as associate dean for administration, Harrington helps manage an annual operating budget of $200 million and more than 1,000 faculty, researchers, and administrative staff at the University of Washington's College of the Environment, which serves approximately 2,000 student majors. She oversees administration and internal business operations for the college and serves as chief of staff to the dean.
Before her time as associate dean for administration, Harrington served as a program manager for the University of Washington's Office of Research. During that time, she worked on the research, analyses, and scenario planning for the university’s environmental portfolio of activities that led to the creation of the University of Washington's College of the Environment.
In her roles at NOAA, Harrington served as chief of staff for the NOAA deputy director and the director of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). She supported NOAA leadership in decision-making, program management, and initiative implementation. She also helped NOAA and CCSP leadership in conducting a comprehensive update of the strategic plan for U.S. global change and climate change research. Before her time as chief of staff, Harrington was a program analyst at NOAA and her responsibilities included supporting the development of the annual budget request for NOAA Research and managing a portfolio of research-and-development-related NOAA administrative orders and policies.
Harrington has a master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Ocean Engineering and Technology and Policy Program, a master’s degree in physical oceanography from the MIT and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program, and a bachelor’s degree in oceanography from the University of Washington.
“The Puget Sound and broader Salish Sea are deeply embedded in our region’s identity, and its health is vital to our collective wellbeing," Harrington said. "Whether our connection to it is economic, cultural, recreational, or something different, making sure we have a thriving marine ecosystem benefits us all. I am honored to join the Leadership Council and play a part in the stewardship of this incredible ecosystem.”
"I’m delighted that Stephanie Harrington has been appointed to the Leadership Council," said Laura Blackmore, executive director of the Puget Sound Partnership. “Stephanie brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience to this role on the Leadership Council. This is an exciting time for Puget Sound recovery, and Stephanie’s background in science and her ability to bring decision-makers and partners together in common cause will help us take advantage of all the opportunities we have to advance recovery.”
About the Leadership Council
The Leadership Council is the governing body of the Puget Sound Partnership. Its seven members are leading citizens chosen from around the Sound and appointed by the Governor to serve four-year terms. Dennis McLerran currently chairs the Leadership Council.
About the Puget Sound Partnership
The Puget Sound Partnership is the state agency formed to lead the region’s collective effort to restore and protect Puget Sound. Working with hundreds of government agencies, tribes, scientists, businesses, and nonprofits, the Partnership mobilizes partner action around a common agenda, advances Sound investments, and tracks progress to optimize recovery.
For more information, go to www.psp.wa.gov.
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