The WSLB proudly announces Senator Yasmin Trudeau as this year’s Washingtonian of the Year! Representing Washington’s 27th Legislative District, she serves as Vice-Chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, Vice-Chair of the Law & Justice Committee, and Chair of the Senate Members of Color Caucus. Appointed to the Senate in 2021 and elected for a full term in 2022, Yasmin is the first woman of color to represent her district.

Her dedication to equitable public policy is rooted in her personal experiences. Before her Senate role, she directed Legislative and Tribal Affairs at the WA Attorney General’s Office, advancing key legislation on student loan support and youth solitary confinement. Yasmin's journey through poverty, the foster care system, and housing insecurity has shaped her commitment to prioritizing people over politics.

When offered to comment, Senator Trudeau stated:

“We are in a divided and difficult time in our country and our state. I take this call to action very seriously, as the public is demanding sustainable and comprehensive solutions to complex problems. This is why I see my call to leadership as a commitment to call out issues impacting the people I serve, while also calling in everyone able and willing to craft solutions that move us forward together. I believe that the public has entrusted all elected leaders to center their very real voices and interests. I am so grateful for this recognition and the opportunity to do exactly that for the people I have the honor of serving.”

Congratulations, Senator Yasmin Trudeau! Your profound influence on the community is nothing short of astonishing, inspiring change and uplifting those around you.

The recipient of this year's Legacy of Service Award is none other than Maud Daudon! Maud recently transitioned from her role as Executive Leader of Career Connect Washington, which secured state funding in 2019 to develop a career-connected learning and apprenticeship system in Washington. Her efforts connected business leaders, labor, educators, and students, creating pathways to college-level learning through work-based experiences like apprenticeships. Career Connect Washington is recognized nationally for supporting various ways students gain real-world experience as part of their education, creating over 150 “earn and learn” pathways across all sectors and regions, benefiting thousands of young people.

Before her role at Career Connect, Maud was President and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce for six years, focusing on the region’s global competitiveness and initiatives. She has also held leadership positions in Seattle Northwest Securities, served as Deputy Mayor, and acted as CFO of the Port of Seattle. Maud is also actively involved in Seattle’s civic organizations, currently serving as Vice Chair of the Washington chapter of The Nature Conservancy and on the United Way of King County Board. When addressing her award Maud says:

“I have been the lucky beneficiary of many great mentors (including my parents) who inspired me to contribute to my community and who believed in my capabilities to make a difference. It has brought me tremendous joy and gratitude to lead with impact whether that was early in my career as CFO at the Port of Seattle, Deputy Mayor for the City of Seattle,  as President and CEO of the Seattle Chamber or,  most recently,  as the Executive Leader of Career Connect Washington. Working to bridge divides and find alignment for the benefit of others is not always easy but it is always worth it!”

This year's Emerging Leader Award recipient is Charles Johnson! The Emerging Leader Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities and made positive impacts within their community. Charles, a Running Start student at Clark College and a high school senior at the Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB), exemplifies resilience and determination.

Diagnosed at just 10 years old with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a progressive degenerative eye disease, Charles has not shied away from his condition. Instead, he embraces it with a profound perspective, stating, “these are just conditions, not constraints,” showcasing his unwavering spirit. His desire to foster a positive impact extends beyond his own experiences; he is relentless in his efforts to improve his school and the broader community. His ambition to create a positive impact in his school and community knows no bounds. As a participant in the 2021-2022 Boundless WA Cohort, Charles has been inspired to become deeply involved in his community. A passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion for blind and low-vision youth, he is also dedicated to climate change and environmental justice. Recognizing the power of voting, he took action to ensure that voting materials for the Mock Election were accessible, inspiring others to engage in the political process.

As a Youth Fellow for EarthGen, he researched the inclusion of blind and low-vision youth in climate change discussions. Currently, he serves on the Clark County Youth Commission and the EMPOWERing Youth with Visual Impairments Student Advisory Board, demonstrating his commitment to uplifting voices and fostering change.

When presented with his award, Charles said:

“It is a great honor to receive this award. I am grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way. I thank the WSLB for the opportunity to bring attention to accessibility and inclusion for all communities.”

The honor is entirely ours, Charles. Congratulations on your achievements.

This year's Evergreen Award honors Former Governor Jay Inslee, a passionate and dedicated leader whose influence has shaped Washington State for decades. As an ex-officio board member of the Washington State Leadership Board (WSLB) since its inception as a state trustee-agency in 2022, Inslee has exemplified steadfast commitment—much like the resilient Evergreen tree for which the award is named.

Governor Inslee's remarkable journey in public service began in 1985, when he and his wife, Trudi, ignited a movement to establish a new public high school in Selah. Their initiative was fueled by a deep-seated dedication to enhancing educational opportunities in rural communities. His political career took shape as he represented the 14th Legislative District in the Washington State House of Representatives. Inslee's commitment to public service continued its upward trajectory with his election to Congress in both 1992 and 1998, where he served diligently until he became the governor in 2012—a position he was honored to be re-elected to in 2016 and 2020.

Since assuming office in 2013, Jay Inslee has been a tireless advocate for a myriad of transformative initiatives and reforms, demonstrating extraordinary leadership and an unwavering dedication to the diverse people of Washington. Over the past three decades, he has harnessed the power of innovation to empower our communities and push for progress. As a governor who has served three consecutive terms, his impactful leadership has been instrumental in advancing a clean energy economy, addressing the urgent challenges of climate change, creating substantial opportunities for working families, and championing progressive values that resonate deeply with Washingtonians. Inslee's policies reflect a relentless pursuit of innovation, an openness to fresh ideas, and a steadfast commitment to cultivating equity and inclusion throughout the state. Congratulations, Inslee!