The UW Professional Staff Organization has officially opened the ballot for the annual board election. The PSO Board represents all Professional Staff across the UW. We are delighted to have six returning and nine new board members applying for the 2025–2027 term and encourage you to review the candidate statements below to vote in our annual election.
Learn More About Our Candidates
Executive Officers
Tiana Cole
President
Program Administrator, UW Continuum College
My name is Tiana Cole, and I am the current president of the PSO and seeking re-election as President.
I would like to continue advancing our various DEI initiatives, such as our recently launched BIPOC Staff Mentorship program to further staff professional development, support our various community-building events, and also continue to cultivate internal and external partnerships to foster a culture of belonging for all on the University of Washington Campus. As a UW alumna and first-generation college graduate, I am committed to increasing access to higher education and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I have served on the Diversity Council for the past year to represent the staff perspective and contribute to creating a more equitable campus.
Audrey McGrath
Vice President
Technical Writer, Enterprise Document Management (EDM), UW IT
Hello, my name is Audrey McGrath, and I am the current Vice President of the PSO and seeking reelection as Vice President. I am actively involved in multiple PSO committees, including Communications, IT, and Executive, and I support various community events offered by the PSO. My engagement extends to other Communities of Practice (CoPs) within UW, including Business Analysis CoP, Hazing Prevention Committee, Service Owner & Service Manager CoP, and UW Disability Staff & Faculty Association. My commitment to promoting a sense of belonging and efficiency within the UW community drives my interest in representing the PSO. With a comprehensive background in committee work and a focus on community engagement, I am well-equipped to serve as Vice President, advocating for the interests and needs of our UW professional staff and community.
Rachel Moore
Assistant to the Director, Dean’s Office, School of Medicine, UW Medicine
Hi everyone! Thanks for taking a minute to read my bio and to get to know me a little. I have worked at UW for five years and I have been with PSO since 2023. Last year I was elected into the Treasurer position and have been hard at work to update the tracking and management of our funds. I plan to continue to make improvements during the upcoming term and look forward to working with you all.
Board Members
Talitha Batts, Ed.D.
Assistant Director, Procurement Center of Excellence, Procurement Services, Finance, Planning & Budgeting
As the former Executive Director of Advocacy Education at the National Institute of Minority Economic Development, I worked to establish programs and facilitate communication between Congressional officials, business owners, and community leaders. In January 2024, with over a decade of experience in higher education, leadership, policy, and human development, I joined the University of Washington (UW) as a Project Manager for course development in the Continuum College. In this role, I collaborated with faculty and professionals in an active learning environment, supporting program development, faculty training, and culturally responsive initiatives.
Currently, as the Assistant Director for the Procurement Center of Excellence, I facilitate training, communication, and support initiatives that enhance professional development and operational efficiency. My role has given me a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by UW’s professional staff, and I am passionate about advocating for their needs. With experience in strategic planning, process improvement, and staff engagement, I am well-equipped to contribute to the Professional Staff Organization’s (PSO) mission of fostering a strong and supportive professional community.
I am excited about the opportunity to serve as a PSO Board Member. This role would allow me to collaborate with colleagues across the university, ensuring that professional staff voices are heard and valued. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to support the growth and success of our professional staff community.
Alex Bolton
Program Manager, Tech Policy Lab
I’m the Program Manager for the Tech Policy Lab at UW. The Tech Policy Lab is an interdisciplinary collaboration that was founded by the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, the Information School, and the School of Law. I’m a Triple Dawg with a JD from the UW School of Law, an MPA from the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, and a BA in Economics and Political Science. I’ve worked at UW and in state government in a variety of roles. I’m very interested in public policy and has a deep passion for UW. I’ve served on the PSO Board and as chair of the Legislative Committee since 2020. I’ve also served on the PSO Board and as co-chair of the Legislative Committee previously before attending law school.
Indira Dastan
Lead research coordinator, Radiation Oncology, UW Medicine
For over six years, I have been a dedicated member of the consortium, beginning my journey as an intern focused on health disparities. Through hard work, persistence, and a deep commitment to advancing equitable healthcare, I progressively grew within the organization, eventually taking on the role of Lead Research Coordinator in Radiation Oncology. My passion lies in addressing health disparities among oncological patients, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, receive the highest quality of care. I am driven by a results-oriented mindset, constantly seeking innovative solutions to bridge gaps in cancer treatment and clinical research to improve patient outcomes. I am eager to participate as a mentor in this program because I am deeply committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment where all individuals—especially those from historically underrepresented backgrounds—can thrive. Through my experience in health disparities research and leadership in Radiation Oncology, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of allyship, representation, and community in professional spaces.
Samantha Einarson
Director, MBA Program Operations, UW Foster School of Business
With over 20 years of experience in public administration, specializing in operations, finance, and HR, I am passionate about collaborating with others to enhance workplace culture and drive efficiency and effectiveness. Currently, I serve as a Director of Operations within the Foster School of Business. I hold a Doctorate in Business Administration and am in the dissertation phase of a Doctorate in Public Administration. I have actively contributed to various university-wide initiatives during my two years at the University. I chair the Health and Safety Committee with EH&S, facilitate a pilot program at OM&D, and participate in the Foster School of Business’s Health, Wellness, and Professional Development Committee. I am eager to leverage my skills and experience to support and empower other professional staff at the university.
Eileen Guo
Diversity Global Program Manager, Foster School of Business, Global Business Center
I have been at the UW for four years and currently work at Foster’s Global Business Center. I joined the PSO Board three years ago to connect with with other professional staff across the UW campuses. I’ve had a great experience chairing the PSO Events Committee and volunteering on the DEI Committee and Scholarships Committee. I’ve met so many incredible staff members that inspire me and make this big campus feel smaller. I am excited to continue serving on the PSO Board and making UW a great community to work in.
Candice Hays
Program Operation’s Specialist, Faculty-led Programs, UW Study Abroad
I am excited about the opportunity to serve as a representative of professional staff, bringing a global perspective and a deep commitment to supporting our diverse university community. As a dual French-American citizen who has lived and worked abroad, I understand the value of cross-cultural collaboration and the importance of inclusive decision-making. In my role at the University of Washington’s Study Abroad department, I work closely with students, faculty, and international partners, fostering connections that enhance global engagement. My experience in networking, both within Seattle and internationally, has given me strong relationship-building skills, allowing me to effectively advocate for staff needs and concerns. Having navigated complex institutional structures, I am adept at problem-solving and facilitating communication across departments. I am eager to contribute my skills and experience to ensure that professional staff voices are heard, valued, and supported in shaping policies that enhance our work environment and university community.
Russell Hugo
Director, Language Learning Center
I’ve had the privilege to serve on the PSO DEI committee for a few years and after a while I was able to serve on the main board for the past 2 years. I began as an ASE at UW in 2007 and have continued to work here until becoming a full-time staff member in 2016. While a graduate student, I served in the GPSS and various related committees. In addition to media production, I am able to contribute with web design.
Angela Lawson
Program Operations Specialist, Center for Experimental Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics (CENPA)
I am Angela Lawson, and I’m excited about the opportunity to serve on the UW PSO Board. With a strong background in HR, strategic planning, finance, compliance, operations, workforce planning, and advocacy, I’m passionate about enhancing professional development, improving workplace policies, and ensuring staff voices are represented in decision-making processes.
In addition to my role at UW, I currently serve as the 2024–2025 Operations Manager and will serve as the 2025–2026 Treasurer-Elect for the Junior League of Seattle (JLS), a volunteer-led nonprofit focused on developing the leadership potential of women through civic engagement and community service. My experience with JLS has strengthened my skills in collaboration, financial oversight, and advocating for meaningful change.
I’m committed to fostering a more inclusive, engaged, and well-supported professional staff community at UW, and I would be honored to contribute to the PSO’s mission.
Sean Leighton
Nurse Manager – LTCC – CBHL, UW Medical Center – Northwest Campus
I am a dedicated nurse leader and manager at the University of Washington Medical Center, overseeing a large team of nurses and allied health staff. With a background in transformational leadership, health administration, and human resources, I am passionate about fostering a supportive and innovative environment for healthcare professionals. I am eager to serve on the Professional Staff Organization Board to advocate for the needs of frontline staff, enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, and drive initiatives that improve patient care and workplace well-being. My experience in staffing, budget optimization, and policy implementation equips me to be an effective representative, ensuring the voices of healthcare professionals are heard at the highest levels. I look forward to contributing my expertise to strengthen our professional community.
Christina Murray
Art Advisor, School of Art+Art History+Design
Hello, my name is Christina Murray. I am currently serving as a PSO board member. I would like to continue volunteering my time to enhance my advocacy for all professional staff.
Maja Pašović
Research Manager, Clinical Informatics Team and Non-fatal and Risks Quality Enhancement Team, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), UW School of Medicine
I am a results-driven professional with over 10 years of international experience in multilateral engagement and strategic partnership building, project management, fundraising, public affairs, research products and policy guidance on improving population health outcomes. In my current role as Research Manager at IHME, I manage a high-performing team of research and data scientists, and oversee the strategic and operational coordination with partners in the private and public sector to provide critical electronic health records and disease registry data for the world’s largest scientific collaboration, the Global Burden of Disease (GBD). Additionally, I sit as Co-Chair on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council at IHME, working closely with the Chief Diversity Officer and the DEI Program Officer to advance DEI at organizational level. Prior to joining IHME, I worked at the National Alliance for Caregiving in Washington D.C., and the UNICEF Country Office in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
I would like to use my experience and skillset to further advance the PSO’s mission and strategic objectives. I am passionate about working with people, understanding their concerns and aspirations through listening and through dialogue, and working together to find a viable solution. Since joining IHME and UW six years ago, I have been inspired by the dedication, integrity, transparency, and care the UW leadership has shown for its staff and students even during major changes. As a member of the PSO Board of Directors, I hope to be able to work more closely with the UW leadership and represent interests of the Professional Staff across the University, while cultivating an inclusive and supportive environment. Additionally, I aim to use my skills in engagement, partnership building, and fundraising to bring added value to the long-term work of the PSO.
I was born and grew up in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, a city that has shaped my personal and professional journey on different levels. Having grown up in Sarajevo, a city defined by a plurality of ethnic groups, languages, and religions, has taught me that diversity is beautiful, equity is essential, and inclusion is a basic human need. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical aspects of how I approach people, projects, and professional relationships, and are my core values in promoting change and ensuring the success of my team, colleagues, and the organization.
Zach Reese
HR & Compensation Analyst, Dean’s Office, UW School of Medicine
Hi! I’m Zach, HR & Compensation Analyst for the School of Medicine. I’ve been with UW for a little over two years after spending time in private sector human resources. With so much unknown right now, our Professional Staff Organization needs board members who are analytically minded, empathetic, and committed to caring for our inclusive environment. Being a pro staff member at UW allowed those skills to flourish. Now, more than ever, is the time to preserve what works and fix what needs adjustment. I hope to help manage the budgets and finances, recruit more PSO volunteers, and help with fundraising and development. Most importantly, I will be steadfast advocate for the PSO.
Allison Spooner
HR Manager, Washington Sea Grant
My name is Allison Spooner, and I am passionate about fostering inclusive, equitable workplaces where all voices are valued. As the HR and Equity Manager at Washington Sea Grant, I lead efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by developing policies, mentoring staff, and ensuring alignment with UW’s antiracism commitments. Over the past three years, I have enjoyed working to create spaces for professional staff to connect, grow, and advocate for meaningful change. I am eager to continue this work with the PSO Board, bringing my experience in DEI, policy development, and relationship-building to support and uplift our professional staff community.
Patti Stracqualursi
Administrative Specialist, Division of Gastroenterology, UW Medicine
I currently work at Division of Gastroenterology with UW Medicine as Administrative Specialist for the Head Doctor. I have over 15 years of experience in leadership development and team management. I just finished up the Human Resources Administration Certificate here, and I’m really looking forward to working together in more depth now. I’m still mastering Supervisory Skills so, I’m all ears if you have any tips!
Dukes Wooters
Manager, Communications & Outreach, MHCI+D Program, UW Graduate School
I currently work as the communications manager at the Master of Human Computer Interaction & Design program within the Graduate School. Throughout my career, I have strived to be a positive difference within my job capacity while also being consistently passionate for civic opportunities. In the past, I have served on my town council and the board of an internationally recognized environmental nonprofit. I would seek to continue this drive as a member of the PSO. I thank you for your consideration.