LEADERSHIP & STAFF
Board Members
President Mary has been a member of the League since 1977. She began as a unit Leader in LWV of Seattle when a new mother. League kept her “finger in the pie” during her children’s early years and culminated in a term as president of the LWV of Seattle. When she returned to the workforce, Mary was glad to have a League background because it opened opportunities at King County. Mary obtained a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Washington. She worked in outreach, intergovernmental relations and fiscal analysis for King County. She was Voter Services Chair from 2017 to 2022 and has been Program Chair for the last year. Mary lives in Seattle with her husband. She enjoys spending time with her three-year old granddaughter, vacationing in the San Juans and travelling in her RV. Meeting people from across the state who bring diverse work experience to League engagement is a true pleasure. |
First Vice President Beth Pellicciotti, Spokane Area Beth Pellicciotti is currently first vice president of the LWVWA and portfolio chair for civic education. She has worked with two statewide committees—one focusing on developing inventories of civic education activities in local Leagues (activities for youth and for adults) and the other developing a Spanish edition of the LWVWA’s civics textbooks The State We’re IN: WA (8th Edition). She enjoys working with local Leagues to encourage their work in civic education. Beth is a member of the Spokane League and has served as its president (2019-20) and chair of civic education (2017-present). For the past two years, she has recruited many League volunteers to write questions for the KSPS Civics Bowl and has led civics presentations in the Spokane Public Schools (40 classes per semester). Beth has two children and one granddaughter. |
Second Vice President Marty joined the League in 2017 and for the past 6 years has served on the LWVWA Lobby Team, currently as the Climate Crisis and Energy Issue Chair, and previously as the Water Issue Chair. His other League service includes: LWVUS Climate Interest Group Renewable Energy Team chair, and member of the LWVS-KC City Climate Action Committee, Shoreline Study Group, and Research Committee. He was appointed by the LWVWA to the State Energy Strategy Advisory Committee in 2020. His previous volunteer roles include treasurer, secretary, and president of the Evergreen Soaring flying club; chair, secretary, and treasurer of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Pacific Northwest, and homeowner association president. He has 36 years of experience as an engineer in design, research & development, and management. I value the work of the League promoting voter education, citizen involvement in government, and careful study of the issues. The League’s strength is based on the dedication of the members to those values and commitment to carry on. |
 Secretary Sherry Appleton, Kitsap County I retired in 2021 from The Washington State Legislature after 16 years (8 terms). I chaired State Government and Tribal Affairs for two years and served as Chair of Local Government. I was replaced after one year because I believed in growth management, and there was an active assault on GMA. Before my legislative life, I was a lobbyist for 11 years with six clients, one of which was the State League. Another client was The American Association of University Women. My other clients were The Public Defender Association and Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Amalgamated Transit Union Legislative Council. Working with the League and all the Portfolio Chairs gave me a fantastic education in many different areas. I have been a member of the Kitsap League for many years and will always admire the education, voter education, and love of democracy. |
c4 Treasurer Dee Ann is a member of the LWV of Mason County Leadership Team, co-chair of the Mason County Speak Up School, member of the Mason County Bicentennial Committee, editor of the Mason County Voter newsletter, maintains the LWV of Mason County website, volunteered as a Zoom technician for the 2020 Council, and is a member of the statewide Journalism Affinity Group. Dee Ann is a retired medical laboratory technologist and laboratory manager. She is the Naturalist Committee and Communications Committee chair for Olympia Mountaineer. She also leads hikes and teaches first aid for the Mountaineers. She is a board member of the Master Gardeners Foundation of Mason County and an active Master Gardener Volunteer. During the summer, she is volcano naturalist volunteer for the Mount St. Helens institute. |
c3 Treasurer Michael L. Martin, San Juans Michael Martin has been a member of the LWV of the San Juans’ board since 2020 and currently serves as Treasurer. Work/Volunteer Life: He spent much of his career in the federal government, most recently as a contractor in cybersecurity. He has masters’ degrees in business and computer science and a PhD in information security. He has taught at the National Defense University, University of Maryland, and University of Montana. Personal: Michael married Susan Martin in 1987. She serves as President of the LWVSJ. They lived in Washington, DC until 2016, when they moved to San Juan Island. My aunt, Barbara Guptill, who was co-president of the Seattle League, inspired me to join the League. We often talked about the role of the League as a nonpartisan body that based its positions on rigorous research. I couldn’t help but value what the League aspired to achieve. I look forward to meeting and working with League members throughout the state as c3 Treasurer. |
Director Susan Baird-Joshi, Seattle-King County LWVWA Seattle/King County league member since 2005. Partnered with Mary Coltrane and Beth Pellicciotti to co-present youth voter registration at Washington State PTA’s 2022 Convention. Active in the SKC City Climate Action Committee. Attended advocacy training and unit meetings and registered voters. Work/volunteer: Small business co-founder and software developer/author for almost 30 years. M. Librarianship from the University of Washington. Two decades of advocacy and directors experience at multiple WSPTA levels; currently, Federal Legislative Chair. Appointed to Washington State Electric Vehicle Advisory Committee. Former Kirkland Park Board Chair. As a Board member, I will help LWVWA build a more flourishing, equitable world. I meet people where they are and engage to understand, especially on tough subjects like climate change. Citizenship and voting are critical steps leading to civic engagement, such as meeting with members of Congress, testifying, or writing letters to the editor—all of which I’ve done. |
Director Susan Daniel, Kitsap County Susan first joined Kitsap League of Women Voters in the 1970’s. She took time off to go to law school and then to practice law. Upon her retirement, she rejoined and has been an active member of Kitsap League. She served as South Kitsap Unit chair for a few years and is currently on the program and Protect Our Democracy committees. Susan attended Texas Women’s University, graduated from the University of Missouri and the Puget Sound (now Seattle University) School of Law. She has served on the boards of several nonprofits, including the Kitsap Dispute Resolution Center, the Kitsap Community Foundation, the Kitsap Historical Society, and Leadership Kitsap. When she is not volunteering, Susan enjoys walking, birding and gardening. |
Director Dee Anne Finken, Clark County Dee Anne Finken joined the League in Central California more than 35 years ago. A member in Clark County since 1997, she most recently served as Communications Team chair. A former newspaper reporter, she directed the journalism program at Clark College, where she was a tenured faculty member until she retired in 2018. She recently co-chaired the LWVWA study “The Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy.” She lives in Vancouver with her husband of 41 years. They have two adult sons, one grandson and another grandson due in June. When she’s not volunteering, she enjoys swimming, spending time with family and friends, following local and regional politics, and reading newspapers—in print and online. I was drawn to the League by work I saw being undertaken by intelligent, passionate and caring women. I strive to help make the world a better place by following their model. |
Director Miriam Kerzner, Benton/Franklin Counties LWV: Assisted the Governance Issue Chair. Work: Teach American Government at Columbia Basin College Volunteer: Member of the Richland Public Facilities District, Chair of the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers Outreach and Education Committee, Programming Committee member of the Columbia Basin Badger Club, member of the Strategic Planning and Communications Committees of the Arts Center Task Force. Personal: Born in Toronto, Canada, I moved to Pittsburgh with my husband to pursue a graduate degree in Public and International Affairs. Due to the various educational needs of my son, I became involved with both private schools and homeschooling, but have always been a staunch supporter of public schooling. My American Government classes are designed to help my students develop an awareness of and respect for a variety of political approaches to the issues that arise based on a fundamental shared belief system in liberal democracy. I also enjoy knitting, acting, cooking, and baking. |
Director Shelley Kneip, Thurston Shelley has been a League member since 2008. She has been a Board member of both the Kitsap and Thurston Leagues. Shelley has been active in a wide variety of League activities at both the local and state levels, including candidate forums, working on the state debates. state and local studies and serving on various committees. Work/Volunteer Life: Shelley is a retired attorney, with experience in municipal, land use and environmental law. She previously held positions on several local nonprofit boards. Shelley resides in Lacey with her husband and two dogs. |
Director Cynthia Stewart, Tacoma-Pierce County and Thurston County League Experience: Currently completing third term as President of Tacoma-Pierce County LWV and board member since 2014; two terms on LWVWA Board, 2013-2017, including one term as second Vice President; two terms as Board member of Thurston LWV. 13 years on LWVWA Lobby Team. Work: Now retired. Worked approximately 30 years in public sector at State of WA, King County and Thurston County as policy analyst and manager. Also served as managing partner of a company providing mediation and group facilitation services. Serve on boards of two other non-profit organizations. Personal: Married, three children, four grandchildren. I rejoined League after retirement because I had enjoyed it so much 30 years earlier as a young stay-at-home mother. I thrive on the issues that League works on, its commitment to democracy, and the many friendships I’ve developed over many years in League through working on projects together. |
Off Board ChairsBeatrice Crane, VOTE411 Project Manager State Office StaffAmy Peloff, Administrative Director Carolyn Stewart, Administration and Communications Assistant LWVUS LiaisonKimberly Hamlin | Nominating CommitteeJean Alliman, Chair, Spokane Linda Benson, Clallam Julie Sarkissian, Seattle-King County Two additional members will be named from the LWVWA Board
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We wish to honor our past presidents who have served us so well.
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