DES team member Joanne Lee presents at 2021 Empowered Women Empower Women conference

We’re proud of Joanne Lee, Leadership Development Facilitator and Training Professional at DES, for her November presentation at the 2021 Empowered Women Empower Women conference. The conference was presented by the Interagency Committee of State Employed Women and the Washington State Women’s Commission. DES elected to support the conference at the gold level ($300).

Joanne posts on LinkedIn, thanking ICSEW for the opportunity to present.

Joanne was among this year’s conference presenters. Her presentation was titled “We Are Not Silent: Bystander Intervention” and addressed the rise in hate crimes and discrimination against Asian communities across the U.S. and around the world.

Joanne says she appreciated the opportunity to share her story as an immigrant woman and is grateful for the support of her manager, Trisha Cronin. She also expressed gratitude for the DES Leadership Team and their decision for the agency to sponsor the conference.

“The most significant learning or awareness for me was knowing that we, as Asian communities, are supported and able to have a platform to share the story and take action,” Joanne reflected. “In return, we are able to request folks also take a stand in solidarity with the Asian communities.”

Our Workforce Learning & Performance (WLP) program, of which Joanne is a member, offers a variety of instructor-led training and on-demand courses available through the Washington State Learning Center. WLP is also leading the development of upcoming statewide training for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

But you don’t have to wait for the training to launch to promote DEI in your workplace. WLP has resources to support your individual or team needs today:

• See WLP’s curated collection of DEI resources.
• Check out LinkedIn Learning options for diversity and inclusion (for learners/agencies with licenses).
• Sign up to receive online learning resources by email.