Leadership

Teddy Dianah Kemirembe, who uses the pronouns she/her, was born and raised in Uganda and hails from a humble background.

Teddy has a master's in social work (MSW) from Columbia University School of Social Work, she has a passion for diversity, equity and inclusion, attaining her Certificate of Diversity Profession (CDP) and Certificate of Diversity Executive (CDE) from the Institute of Diversity Center (IDC).

Having worked with children and families for more than 20 years, she has extensive experience in child welfare, working with children who have developmental disabilities, and working as a social worker in emergency rooms for more than 7 years, helping patients with mental health and homelessness.

Teddy is currently employed by DSHS as the Community Engagement and Client Connection Administrator for the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). Her two lovely daughters, ages 8 and 12, both have special needs. Her 8-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with Rett syndrome, and her 12-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with autism.

Teddy loves drumming, gardening, and watching movies in her free time.

After leaving Tunisia (North Africa) in 2016, Amel Aouam Alsalman became a procurement specialist with the Washington State Patrol in 2017. She is currently employed with the Department of Health and Social Services as a Procurement Program Manager. 

For nearly 19 years, Amel has led and managed both domestic and foreign initiatives in the private sector. Amel graduated from the University of Economics and Management of Tunis with a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in macroeconomics.

Amel has been a member of the Rotary Club since 2011 and is currently the Treasurer of her club, Olympia Capital Centennial, which is dedicated to community service with an emphasis on children's education and diversity. Amel was a volunteer at the Food Bank, Washington Performance Center, United Way of Thurston County, and an active member of the WA chapter of the National Institute of Public Procurement.

Amel is married, and in her spare time, she enjoys photography, hiking, dancing, and travel.

Janet Nambi Kiwanuka works for the Department of Retirement Services (DRS) as a training and development specialist. She is a Certified Life Coach committed to assisting leaders in building cohesive teams and increasing output. Her coaching and leadership skills enable people to develop positive communication, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness, which produces extremely effective leaders.

Leaders have benefited from Janet's coaching skills in areas like employee engagement, communication, conflict resolution, managing change, overcoming burnout, and overcoming imposter syndrome. She is a superb leadership development coach and consultant because of her commitment to both professional and personal development as well as her remarkable leadership background.

Janet has successfully managed businesses for more than ten years. She oversaw a business that brought in $2 million. Talent management, business strategy formulation and execution, business process improvement and administration, sales strategy formulation, financial strategy formulation, and change management are among her leadership competencies.

Janet also holds a certification as a Franklin Covey Leadership and Seven Habits of Highly Effective People facilitator. Janet attained Assistant VP Level in her first position at a bank in the United States before starting her own business.

 Additionally, Janet created a very successful Positive Leadership Course specifically for new managers and leaders. She is an invaluable resource for empowering leaders and encouraging team growth because of her proficiency in leadership coaching and development.

Anu Rao works at the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) as the Business Manager for Talent Acquisition (HRD). 

She was born and raised in Bangalore, India, and has been a committed supporter of workplace fairness since 2017. 

Through community involvement, advocacy, and mentoring, she has furthered the objective of the Washington Immigrant Network (WIN). Anu uses her vast experience in human resources to increase employment opportunities and establish avenues for immigrant professionals to serve the public. 

She is dedicated to increasing job prospects for immigrants, cultivating meaningful collaborations, and creating an inclusive, accepting community where everyone can succeed through mentorship, advocacy, strategic partnerships, and community participation.

Dr. Gina, a young mother who immigrated from the Philippines, overcame institutional obstacles and early language problems to start her American career as a cleaner in Skagit County.

Motivated by her daughter's college acceptance, she set out on a demanding multidisciplinary route, coordinating her academic objectives with her family's achievements. She later obtained a doctorate in ministry, a master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology, a master's degree in health administration, and a bachelor's degree in human services.

Before switching to public service with Western State Hospital, Gina began her career in healthcare in the for-profit sector. It was there that she found her real passion in equality, diversity, access, inclusion, and belonging (EDAIB). She creates "circles of transformation" as a mentor, coach, and servant leader to make underrepresented communities feel secure and welcome.

In her day-to-day work with the DSHS community, Western State Hospital, and the Washington Immigrant Network, she proudly brings her core strengths of empathy, humility, gratitude, and passion.

In addition to her leadership position, Gina is a skilled writer of two books about mindfulness, trauma healing, and using gratitude to manage PTSD. She routinely volunteers with Filipino American non-profits and supports the Nurture Center in Lakewood, Washington, demonstrating her strong commitment to community development. In addition to her career and advocacy work.

Gina likes to travel, prepare traditional Filipino food, write poetry, go kayaking, and spend time with her husband, Mike.

Currently working as the Community Relations Program Specialist at the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Stephanie Chou was born and raised in Taiwan.

Stephanie held positions as a youth service librarian at the Pierce County Library System and a health inspector at the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department prior to joining L&I. She is committed to serving the public and places a high value on promoting inclusion, equality, and diversity. 

Stephanie enjoys exploring new foods and going on adventures on her own time. 
 

As a first-generation immigrant, the child of immigrants, and a first-generation college graduate, Francesco Somaini (he/him) offers a strong personal dedication to equity. 

He graduated from the University of Oregon with a PhD in media studies. Francesco had a varied career as a university lecturer and news reporter before moving into public service. 

Currently, he serves as the Language Access and Accessibility Supervisor within the Equitable Access Branch of the Center for Community Relations and Equity at the Washington State Department of Health (DOH).