Joanne Lee, Assistant Director – joanne.lee@des.wa.gov

Teah Kish Shaw, Executive Assistant – teah.kishshaw@des.wa.gov

Division overview

The division serves as a statewide center of excellence that strengthens Washington's workforce through learning, leadership development, equity support, and enterprise-wide workforce systems. Since its founding in 2011, the division has helped employees build skills, grow in their careers, and access fair opportunities across all state agencies.

The division brings together several specialized workgroups that each play a vital role in supporting the state's workforce:

• DES Equity provides consultation and guidance to embed equity into the division's work and across DES, supporting fair and inclusive practices. Contact: Jarrod Shartle Irvin, DES Equity Manager – jarrod.shartle-irvin@des.wa.gov
• Small Agency Equity partners closely with small agencies to support their equity plans, processes, and implementation in collaboration with the Office of Equity. Contact: Cathy Satava, Small Agency Equity Manager – cathy.satava@des.wa.gov
• Learning Solutions connects agencies with high-quality vendor courses, fee-for-service offerings, and LinkedIn Learning resources, expanding access to flexible learning options. Contact: DESMILearningSolutionsTeam@des.wa.gov
• Learning Design develops and updates required statewide courses and includes a specialized subgroup that builds contracts and procurement training essential to government operations. Contact: elearning@des.wa.gov
• Learning Delivery provides instructor-led training for required and mandated statewide courses, including DEI training and Leading Others, creating supportive spaces for employees to learn and grow. Contact: Shawn Willis, Enterprise Learning Delivery Manager – shawn.willis@des.wa.gov
• Leadership Development offers advanced leadership programs—from The Art of Leading Teams to a range of targeted workshops—that help leaders strengthen their skills and workplace impact. Contact: Pat Seigler, Leadership Development Manager – patrick.seigler@des.wa.gov
• Workforce Product Support ensures agencies can rely on the statewide Learning Management System and NeoGov recruitment tools by offering responsive technical support and guidance. Contact: Cindy Cotter, Technology Product Support Manager – cindy.cotter@des.wa.gov

Together, these workgroups advance the division's mission to deliver inclusive training, leadership development, and equity-centered programs that support a skilled, engaged, and equitable workforce across Washington State.

Goal

To strengthen Washington's workforce by providing inclusive training, leadership development, equity support, and reliable workforce technologies. The division builds employee skills, supports career growth, and helps agencies meet statewide requirements while advancing fairness and opportunity for all employees.

This goal directly supports DES's mission to strengthen the business of government and EED's commitment to cultivating a skilled, engaged, and equitable workforce.