People profiles

Yessenia Guerrero

President

Term of office: 2022–2025 (2023–24 president)

Pronouns: she/her

"At its core, I believe the UWSA should defend, protect, and advocate for staff. We should be the ones dealing with the concerns voiced by our members. We should be working collaboratively with the University to make important changes that will improve our working environment on campus. I want to encourage our staff to be involved within the association so that we can hear the voices within our community. I hope to see our association grow and with everyone’s support, we can build a better workplace."

Read Yessenia's full profile.

Agata Jagielska

Past president

Term of office: 2021–2024 (2022–23 as president)

Pronouns: she/her

Reason for running: I am motivated by meaningful work and eager to help advocate for our staff. Helping people is my passion and it is extremely rewarding.

Vision for UWSA: Continuing to improve our staff’s work environment while taking on some of the more pressing challenges. I want to ensure that the vision of the UWSA remains strong and rooted in equity and justice so that the staff feel safe and supported.

Lisa Habel

President-elect

Term of office: 2023–26 (2024–25 as president)

Pronouns: she/her

"I wanted to get more involved and give voice to those who felt they weren’t being heard. I hope to make an impact and ensure staff is being treated equitably across campus and recognized for all we do. We are the backbone of the institution."

Gitanjali Shanbhag

Director

Term of office: 2023–2026

Pronouns: she/her

“The voices of the BIPOC community need to be amplified and I am here to advocate for and be the voice of my community. I am dedicated to instigating positive change for our staff contending with unfair workplace challenges. This commitment entails ongoing learning, promoting awareness, and championing the cause of our staff, aligning with UWSA's strategic priorities.”

Read Gitanjali's full profile.

Sara Perkins

Director

Term of office: 2022-2025

Pronouns: she/her/they

"I have always been a vocal advocate for safer and healthier work conditions, physically and psychologically. I want to make the University a better place for ALL workers, and represent the needs of neurodivergent staff."

Read Sara's full profile.

Lillian Liao

Director

Term of office: February–October 2024

"Having been part of the University community in various roles for many years including as a graduate student, I continually meet, learn, and draw inspiration from the diverse members of the UW campus. My vision is for the UWSA to become a more prominent and diverse voice in unifying and empowering all staff in advocating for healthier working conditions and fulfilling opportunities."

See Lillian's full profile.

Ken Berry

Director

Term of office: February–October 2024

"As a strategic thinker, I am a firm believer in thinking long term while maintaining a focus on the vision of the board in guiding the high-level strategic governance of the UWSA."

Read Ken's full profile.

Kathy Becker

Director

Term of Office: 2022–2025

Pronouns: she/they

Contact for: Governance matters, Staff Excellence Fund ideas, or an informal chat about getting involved with your UWSA!

Vision for UWSA: I care about the people who make up our campus and I’m driven to make things better. To me, this means ensuring that the UWSA’s work adopts antiracist, decolonial, and anti-oppressive approaches. It’s the only way to ensure that we’re in a strong position to advocate for improved working conditions while providing staff with exceptional services and supports.

Bill Baer

Director

Term of Office: 2022–2025

About bill: I'm the Information Technology (IT) Director in the Arts Computing Office and have worked on campus for twenty-plus years. During my Engineering undergraduate years, I volunteered with ESQ and realized I had a passion for outreach.

Agata Antkiewicz

Interim chair

Term of office: 2022–2025

"I take true joy in meeting and talking to people, resolving differences and finding a constructive way forward to advocate for and empower staff as well as to help ensure the growing influence and appreciation of staff in the decision-making processes on campus."

Read Agata's full profile.

Alana Christi Guevara

Director

Term of office: 2023–24

"My desire to join the UWSA Board of Directors stems from a deep commitment to enhancing the staff experience and ensuring that the organization operates efficiently and effectively. I have been involved with the University for several years, allowing me to develop a comprehensive understanding of its goals, challenges, and opportunities. Serving on the WUSA Board of Directors has given me a firsthand insight into the organization's inner workings and the importance of effective governance."