Meet the Productivity Board

Shad Bell is the Assistant Director of Operations and Communications for the Washington State Board of Nursing. Shad plays a pivotal role in the efficient functioning of the board and in facilitating effective communication strategies.

With a career in the public sector spanning over a decade, Shad has been an instrumental figure in the dynamic landscape of Washington State. Originating from a foundation in the Productivity Board as a Program Coordinator, Shad witnessed firsthand the unwavering dedication of the state workforce to streamline government operations. This decade-long transition from the Productivity Board to the Board of Nursing reflects Shad’s commitment to contributing to critical sectors of public service.

A proud alumnus of Western Washington University, Shad earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, which laid the groundwork for a career marked by a deep commitment to public service. Having spent nearly five decades in Washington State, Shad possesses an intrinsic understanding of the local culture, community, and the unique challenges and opportunities that shape the Evergreen State.

Beyond Shad’s professional endeavors, Shad is a nature lover and enjoys the outdoors, camping, hiking, and road trips.

Miranda Cavender (she/her/hers) has worked in State Government for nearly a decade. Currently serving as the Customer Service Manager for Washington State Consolidated Mail Services, a section within the Business Resources Division of the Department of Enterprise Services. She started her state career as an entry level Office Assistant III in 2014 at the Department of Labor & Industries innovating and promoting process improvements.

Later, she joined the Department of Retirement Systems as a Retirement Specialist. There, she developed expertise in assisting Public Employees with all stages of their retirement benefits, including if a member became disabled or passed away. Supporting public employees during times of grief or life changing disability made Miranda even more passionate about the success and well-being of public employees.

Miranda was first introduced to the Productivity Board when she was just a kid. Her Dad, Dave Cavender, worked for the Department of Natural Resources for over 20 years. He helped staff submit ideas to the Productivity Board and one saved the state so much money that the person who had the idea was paid the maximum $10,000. When the ask came from DES Executive Team for a volunteer of course Miranda volunteered.

Amanda Doyle has been working in federal and state government roles for over 20 years. She joined Washington state government and Office of the Secretary of State in January 2023 as the Chief of Staff, where she oversees office-wide support divisions, to include the Operations, Information Technology, External Affairs, and Legislative & Policy Divisions. 

Serving in various leadership positions in the U.S. Army and the Washington National Guard for the past 20+ years, Amanda brings a wealth of small team leadership, organizational leadership, and staff management to her role in OSOS, as well as with the Washington State Productivity Board. 

Amanda earned a Bachelors degree from Gonzaga University and a Masters degree in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University. She also recently completed a Masters in Strategic Studies from the Army War College in Carlisle, PA.

Ashley Fueston has been with the Employment Security Department for over eight years as a WorkSource Specialist. She finds fulfillment in helping people find new career paths after significant life challenges. Ashley Fueston was also elected to her second term as Vice President at the 50th Biennial AFSCME Council 28/WFSE Convention.

Prior to becoming a public employee, Fueston helped community members access job resources at WorkSource, where she received several professional awards in recognition of her contributions. She also served in AmeriCorps.

Born and raised in Thurston County, Fueston lives there with her wife and four of their kids, as their oldest is currently attending EWU. She enjoys supporting her children in sports, band, and all the activities they participate in.

Jen Gilliard (she/her/hers) has worked in higher education since 2001. For over 20 years, she served as a Professor of Early Childhood Education and director of several federally-funded-grant projects that supported collaborative and innovative teacher education programs designed specifically for Native American students who lived and worked on Montana’s American Indian Reservations. 

Prior to her career in higher education, she worked for two mental health agencies, providing therapy to children, supervising clinical staff in three counties, and collaboratively developing creative children’s mental health programs for children, adolescents, and their families. Since August 2022, Jen is a dean at South Puget Sound Community College where she continues to focus on instruction, curriculum, and the delivery of degree programs that support equity and inclusion. 

Dr. Gilliard holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, a Master’s Degree in Child and Family Studies from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a Ph.D. in Family Studies (Marriage and Family Therapy) from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 

Sybill Hyppolite (she/her) was named Government Affairs Director of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO in November 2022 after serving as Legislative Director since October 2019. In this role, she works alongside WSLC Legislative Director John Traynor to advance the policy agenda of the largest labor organization in Washington state, its affiliated unions and allied community organizations. Hyppolite also promotes the AFL-CIO’s legislative and policy objectives among Washington’s congressional delegation, serves on several internal and external policy committees, and works with affiliated unions and community partners to improve the lives of Washington’s working families.

Prior to joining the WSLC, Hyppolite served for five years as the Healthcare Policy Specialist at SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, where she worked with labor and community partners to advance legislation and co-create policies to improve access to health care. She also has supported union members to bargain strong contracts.

Hyppolite’s career has centered on social justice, empowerment and self-determination. As an organizer at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, she worked on a labor-community campaign to advance hospital accountability. She also brings international experience, having conducted policy research in Haiti funded by a Harvard Kennedy School program. At Partners In Health, she coordinated multi-national logistics and partnerships to help patients access medical treatment abroad. Hyppolite holds a Master of Science in Society, Human Development and Health from Harvard University.

She has firsthand experience of the importance of labor unions in marginalized communities. Raised by Haitian parents in a union household, Hyppolite learned organizing strategies from her mother, an administrative assistant committed to the struggle for equity. Today, she maintains a commitment to her local community as a yoga facilitator exploring collective healing for collective action.

Mandeep Kaundal joined the Results Washington team in December 2017. He loves working with colleagues across various state agencies to develop and implement a data-driven approach to track performance for the Governor’s priorities.

Prior to Results Washington, Mandeep had the privilege to serve people with disabilities through his work in few different positions within the Department of Social and Health Services for five years. Before joining the state services, Mandeep served people with disabilities through his various roles with not-for profit and private businesses. Mandeep was appointed Chair for the Governor’s Committee of Disability Issues and Employment by Governor Jay Inslee and proudly served on that committee from March 2017 through March 2020.

He earned a Masters in Business Administration from Eastern Washington University and a Masters in Agricultural Economics from Punjab Agricultural University, India, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration.

Pete Kmet (pronounced Kamet) is a retired environmental engineer, and former Mayor and City Councilmember for the City of Tumwater.

During his 30 years as an elected official, he represented Tumwater on numerous committees and task forces providing policy oversight on a wide range of issues including growth management, public works infrastructure, parks and recreation programs, and public safety. While holding these elected positions Pete also worked as a environmental engineer for the WA State Department of Ecology. In this role he oversaw the cleanup of numerous contaminated sites and developed related technical guidance, policies and rules.

Pete has a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Norwich University, and a Master of Science in environmental engineering from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He is a registered professional engineer in Washington State.

Over the years, Pete has volunteered for a wide variety of City and nonprofit events and projects and is currently on the Board of Rebuilding Together Thurston County.

Mia Navarro (she/her/hers) has been working in public administration and nonprofits for over 20 years. She joined OFM on March 1, 2023, as the Deputy Chief Cultural Officer with State Human Resources, and her portfolio includes carrying out SHR’s strategic priorities, and championing the work of the Workforce Strategies and HR Analytics sections.

Prior to joining the State, Mia served as the Assistant Director of the City of Tacoma’s Office of Equity and Human Rights, Community Engagement Manager for the City of Tukwila, Associate Director of Community Services for the Tacoma Housing Authority, helped to implement the Systems Change Initiative to End Family Homelessness in Pierce County, and worked in several roles, including Executive Director, for the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless.

Mia holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of Southern California, a Master in Business Administration from Western Governors University, and is currently working on a PhD in Leadership Studies at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, where her research focus is the intersection of leadership and DEIB work.

Greg Mennegar is our Program Manager, and has over 25 years of management, sales, and marketing experience in the information management industry. He previously served the Secretary of State’s office managing the Imaging Program for the Washington State Archives. Throughout his career he has helped government, healthcare, and corporate entities operate more efficiently by helping them reduce waste. 

Contact Greg at [email protected].

Benjamin "Kirk" Kirkland is our Program Specialist and resident expert in policy, procedure, and administration. He graduated from North Carolina State University in 2018 with an undergraduate degree in Political Science. Before coming to the Productivity Board, he worked as an alpine mountain guide on Kulshan and supervised the ski safety program at Keystone Resort in Colorado. In his free time, he likes to lift weights, climb rocks, and play PC games.

Contact Kirk at Kirk.Kirkland@sos.wa.gov.

David Junius is the Productivity Board’s marketing staffer, supporting agencies with collateral materials, communications, and promotional opportunities. David was previously a program manager with the Washington State Library working with staffing, outreach, social and print media, and librarianship. His career has also included work with the American Red Cross, the University of California, and Northwest Harvest.

Contact David at David.Junius@sos.wa.gov.