Governor's Boards & Commissions

by Molly Keenan

Washington is home to vibrant communities and diverse citizens who possess an abundance of talent, skills and experience. To ensure effective and representative government, Governor Inslee places a high priority on boards, commissions, and agencies that are reflective of the diverse make-up of Washington and that utilize the impressive talent of our citizens.

To accomplish this goal, we are always seeking skilled and experienced individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds to participate in boards and commissions. As of today, we will begin a monthly email highlighting boards and commissions for which we are seeking strong candidates with diverse backgrounds.

As someone with deep roots in your respective communities and organizations, we hope that you will share these opportunities. The openings listed below are select appointments for which we are hoping to increase the candidate pool. All of the appointments are either currently unfilled or will be open within the next two months. For a more comprehensive list of all upcoming appointments, please visit the Governor’s Boards & Commissions webpage.

Any individual interested in being appointed will need to apply online. We will be accepting applications on any vacant or past due appointments until the seat is filled. We will accept applications on any upcoming appointment until three weeks prior to the appointment start date. Additional information on the respective boards or commissions can be found on the Governor’s website. 

Please email me with any questions at molly.keenan@gov.wa.gov.

Responses to Supreme Court Rulings

President Barack Obama
(full statement here)


The laws of our land are catching up to the fundamental truth that millions of Americans hold in our hearts: when all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free.  


Washington Governor Jay Inslee
I could not be more proud and excited to see the U.S. Supreme Court take a long overdue stand for equality, fairness and family. Marriage is for two people in love and it is past time for our country to not just recognize that, but honor it. Washington state is a leader in marriage equality and today’s ruling means the benefits and recognition of marriage offered to couples here in our state will be offered equally across our nation. #loveislove #marriageequality

US Senator Patty Murray

(full statement here)

This is a great day for the civil rights and marriage equality movement. Following this good news, I’m going to work with the administration and my colleagues in Congress to ensure that all the rights and federal benefits enjoyed by married couples are provided to LGBT couples as quickly as possible, including to unite bi-national LGBT couples who have been split apart by this discriminatory law.

US Senator Maria Cantwell

(full statement here)

This is a historic day for equal rights in our nation and in Washington state. Our state was a trailblazer in recognizing the right of same-sex couples to marry and helped in setting the stage for this historic ruling. All Washingtonians will receive the equal treatment they deserve in the eyes of federal law for the first time. Our state’s same-sex married couples will now get the same federal benefits and recognition as heterosexual couples.

US Congresswoman Suzan DelBene

(full statement here)

The Court today affirmed what Washington voters already know, which is that all loving couples deserve equal treatment under the law. This was the same argument that I and 212 of my colleagues made when we submitted an amicus brief to the Court when making our case that DOMA is unconstitutional. For married gay and lesbian couples throughout the country, today’s ruling means that they are now clearly eligible for all the federal protections and responsibilities afforded to other married couples.

US Congressman Adam Smith

(full statement here)

Even with these rulings, significant work remains to ensure equal rights to the LGBT community.  Same-sex couples living in states that don’t recognize all marriages still face uncertainty and discrimination.  LGBT people can still be denied work simply based on who they are. Bullying in our schools is still a dangerous epidemic among youth who are or are perceived to be LGBT, and homelessness and poverty rates are still unacceptably high among LGBT people.  The Supreme Court’s decisions exhibit the tremendous progress we have made towards full equality, but we must remain committed to doing all we can to make sure equal opportunity and justice are realities for all Americans.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson

(full statement here)

Today is a great day for marriage equality both in Washington state and across the country.

This ruling is vitally important to the people of Washington.  Now that Washington voters have approved same-sex marriage, couples in our state could have found themselves in similar situations—being denied federal benefits provided to other couples. It was important that Washington’s voice be heard in this case.

King County Executive Dow Constantine 

I am pleased and proud that the Supreme Court has officially recognized the civil rights of same-sex couples, rights that Washington State voters embraced last year. Being able to issue the first marriage licenses to happy same-sex couples was one of the highlights of my career. Thankfully, it appears that there will be many more such joyful moments as our nation moves, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly, ever closer to the ideals announced at our founding. I am proud of King County and Washington State for helping to nudge the nation toward justice.

GSBA President & CEO to serve on Governor-Elect's Transition Team

GSBA President & CEO Louise Chernin has been asked to serve on Governor-Elect Jay Inslee's transition team.  She will join a team of 33 other leaders chosen for their experience, expertise and perspective. Co-chaired by Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith, Renton School District Superintendent Mary Alice Heuschel and Washington State University President Elson Floyd, the Governor-Elect has sought out leaders who "embodied the spirit of innovation."

"My administration will be focused on growing Washington's economy, improving education, reducing health care costs and making state government more efficient and more effective," said Governor-Elect Inslee in his announcement of the full team on Tuesday. "The team we've assembled represents both sides of the Cascades, our key industries, and people with experience both inside and outside government. I look forward to their engagement and appreciate their willingness to serve the state." 

"I’m honored to have been named to sit on the Governor’s Transition Committee," says Chernin. I look forward to working with the broad spectrum of people coming together on the Transition Committee to share diverse perspectives, skills and connections with Governor-Elect Inslee as he prepares to lead our state. The challenges we face as a state are great, but by bringing all our voices around the table, there is huge potential to transform education, environmental stewardship and create new living wage jobs." 

Louise Chernin has been the President & CEO of the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) since 2002.  Chernin was the National Chair of the Council on Chambers and Business Organizations, the affiliate branches of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. In 2008, she was honored by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) with its Leadership Award and also named by the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of the top 20 most influential women in Puget Sound.