Stuff in the ‘Heather Eddy’ Category
Governor Ferguson appoints Angela Ramirez as Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services
OLYMPIA — Today, Governor Bob Ferguson appointed Angela Ramirez as Washington’s new Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), effective September 22. Ramirez recently served as chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through Jan 20. Since January, she has advised on several projects.
Ramirez’s experience spans more than two decades across local, state and federal government. In her recent role at HHS, she coordinated one of the largest federal departments with over 90,000 employees and a $1.7 trillion budget — the largest of any federal agency. Ramirez led department-wide initiatives, advised the Secretary and senior officials, and steered policy and personnel strategies on issues ranging from reproductive health to behavioral health and workforce development.
“Angela’s leadership, deep experience in delivering essential human services, and focus on collaboration makes her exceptionally well-suited for this role,” Governor Ferguson said. “As Secretary of Washington’s largest agency, she will provide the direction and strategic vision needed to effectively deliver critical services across Washington.”
“I am deeply honored to serve as Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services,” Ramirez said. “I’ve spent my entire career in public service, and I’ve come to realize it is a part of who I am. As the daughter of farmworkers who both experienced homelessness, I understand how life-changing public systems can be when they truly support people. Whether someone needs housing, a job, mental health care, or simply the dignity of choice — I believe in the power of government to help individuals shape their own lives. I thank Governor Ferguson for the opportunity to serve the people of Washington, and I look forward to joining an agency so deeply committed to meeting people where they are and helping them move forward.”
Before leading HHS as chief of staff and, prior to that, deputy chief of staff, Ramirez served as a Special Assistant to the President in the White House, shaping legislative efforts such as the American Rescue Plan. She also served as senior staff on the Biden Presidential Transition and on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Her positions during her 18 years as Congressional staff included serving as executive director of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and chief of staff to then-Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján, playing pivotal roles in leadership, legislation and campaign strategy.
Ramirez is a graduate of Princeton University, where she earned a degree in political economy and a certificate in Spanish language and literature. Her early career included a fellowship in the California State Senate and roles in policy analysis and local justice systems. Her community service has included volunteering at Charlie’s Place, teaching English as a second language, and mentoring with Big Brothers Big Sisters. She was named to Politico’s Power List and has been recognized as a key Congressional staffer in the National Journal.
The appointment follows a competitive national search drawing candidates from more than 11 states.
The process was shaped by deep stakeholder input, including valuable perspectives from tribal leaders, labor partners, community service organizations, department staff, and numerous other groups. This collaborative approach ensured that the selected leader reflects the diverse needs of Washingtonians.
Heather Eddy, President and CEO of KEES, said, “We want to thank the entire DSHS team and Governor Ferguson’s leadership team for their collaboration and partnership throughout this process. Their engagement was vital in shaping a thorough, inclusive search that brought forward the strongest candidates to lead this important agency. Angela is the leader needed at DSHS at this time.”
About KEES
KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a woman-owned executive search firm dedicated to creating diverse teams with dynamic leadership in the nonprofit and public sectors. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including executive search, leadership development, compensation analysis, interim staffing, and HR support. To learn more, visit www.kees2success.com.
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Media Contacts
Brionna Aho, Governor’s Communications Director, Brionna.aho@gov.wa.gov, 360-628-3843
Jamie Sheffler, jsheffler@kees2success.com, 719-671-1129
KEES to Lead Search for Secretary of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
Nonprofit and public sector executive search firm KEES is pleased to announce its new partnership with the Washington State Office of Governor Bob Ferguson in the search for the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). DSHS is the foundational organization for human services in Washington State. It is the largest state department with over 20,000 positions with 19,638 allotted FTEs, spanning over 400 Washington General Service job classes, and operations primarily out of Olympia. In any given month, DSHS provides some type of shelter, care, protection and/or support to 2.4 million of the state’s 7.2 million people. The search will be led by KEES President and CEO Heather Eddy, alongside Project Manager Megan Taylor, with the KEES team offering valuable support and expertise.
The new Secretary will be appointed by the Governor and serve as a member of the Governor’s Executive Cabinet. This position will be a leader in the Ferguson Administration in ensuring for the delivery of human services across Washington and providing executive leadership, overall direction and strategic vision through the comprehensive administration, integration and coordination of services for vulnerable individuals and for families with economic, social or health needs.
“It is an honor to have been selected through a competitive process to lead the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) during this important period of transformation in the state of Washington,” said Heather Eddy, KEES President and CEO. “DSHS is critical in delivering essential economic, social, and health services, supporting individuals and families across the state. We are excited to begin this partnership.”
As a leading executive search firm, KEES specializes in filling top executive positions in the nonprofit and public sectors. With a strong track record of placing accomplished leaders across Washington State, KEES has refined a proven search process over two decades to meet each client’s unique needs. Past partnerships have helped secure top talent in Lacey, Olympia, Seattle, Spokane, Yakima, and the surrounding regions. This partnership draws on KEES’ expertise in working with organizations that provide essential services to foster healthy, safe, and empowered communities.
Confidential inquiries, candidate recommendations, and requests for additional information regarding the upcoming Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services search can be directed to Megan Taylor at mtaylor@kees2success.com. More details about this opportunity will be shared shortly.
About the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
As a Department, DSHS is tied together by a single mission – to partner with people to access support, care, and resources. Their goal and commitment is to be a national leader in every aspect of client service. DSHS directly serves 1 in 3 Washingtonians, or 2.4 million individuals/family members per year, and accounts for approximately 18 percent of the state’s operating budget. DSHS uses those funds to carry out its mission by directly providing services to Washington residents who are in need as well as contracting with community providers for many services. To learn more, please visit www.dshs.wa.gov
About KEES
KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams with dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. A woman-owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.