Suzan (Suzi) LeVine Suzan (Suzi) has a account Commissioner for the Washington State Employment Security Department, Wife, Mom, dog-walker and former U.S. Ambassador Greater Seattle Area 500+ connections Contact info Employment Security Department Brown University About I am a public sector leader who has also worked in the private and non-profit sectors and who has: • Current expertise in workforce development, apprenticeship, and the future of work • Digital agility and a consistent history of integrating new technology solutions • A long history of marketing and communications success • Strong experience in building global corporate partnerships • A track record of effective strategic planning Articles & activity 2,471 followers Asparagus Soup Suzan (Suzi)’s profile photo Suzan (Suzi) LeVine Published on LinkedIn I love asparagus soup. But I will never look at that green bowl of yum the same way again. One of the many responsibilities that the agency I lead, the Washington Employment Security Department, has is, in the agricultural sector, “to oversee efforts to recruit U.S. workers and to help the federal government determine whether a labor shortage exists” (you can find this definition here: https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/foreign-worker-FAQ). When meeting with staff and our workforce partners during my listening tour, I’ve been asking what folks’ first jobs were. While I was surprised at the number of pizza makers and corn-detasslers we have, what really gave me pause were all those who started out as farmworkers. I can still visualize my staff member who, before even verbalizing her first job, cradled her back as if she could still feel the work. It was only after a deep breath to release that remembered pain that she shared that her first job was as an asparagus picker. In fact, several team members and team leaders started out picking asparagus. Given their descriptions of the backbreaking nature of harvesting asparagus, it caused me to reflect on the physical investment by workers and the monetary investment by farmers into my bowl of soup. Even though I already pay attention to and appreciate the ingredients of my food because I keep kosher, I will no longer take my soup for granted. Instead, any time I enjoy a future bowl of soup/plate of grilled peaches/slice of apple or cherry pie/pint of beer/bag of popcorn /etc…, I will say an extra thank you to the farmworkers, the farmers, and our team members who work with both! This is the team of our staff and partners that works in our WorkSource office in Sunnyside (near Yakima) and who work compassionately and closely with farm laborers and farmers to meet their respective needs. 17 Likes 4 Comments Like Comment Share See all articles No alt text provided for this image Naval Base Kitsap Spouse Community! Are you a spouse of a current or former service member? Do you know someone who is? Join the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Director and Employment Security Department Commissioner For a Military Spouse Listening Session WorkSource Kitsap 1300 Sylvan Way, Bremerton, WA 98310 September 18, 2019, from 1-3pm (Virtual Option for Remote Attendees) Governor Inslee signed a new executive order in May 2019 reaffirming Washington State’s commitment to supporting the entire military family. Alfie Alvarado-Ramos, WDVA Director, and Suzi LeVine, ESD Commissioner, want to hear from military spouses on both your challenges and ideas for supporting your careers and families. To register, please visit the event page: https://lnkd.in/g3U7cTZ (Attendees who register to attend virtually will be sent an event link) #veterans #militaryspouse #militaryspouses #washington #careers Suzan (Suzi) shared this 2 Likes No alt text provided for this image thank you so much for sharing this with your network! And for those piqued by this idea - it's a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of every Washingtonian - especially with the dignity of work! Suzan (Suzi) commented a group of people sitting at a table So honored to have participated! Suzan (Suzi) shared this 3 Likes See all activity Experience Employment Security Department Commissioner Company NameEmployment Security Department Dates EmployedJul 2018 – Present Employment Duration1 yr 3 mos LocationOlympia, WA The Employment Security Department (ESD) helps every Washingtonian be lifelong career ready and works to ensure that our economy has the talent it needs to thrive now and far into the future. I am humbled and honored to have been appointed by Governor Inslee to helm this agency and the exceptional team across the state to deliver on this critical and noble effort! We are at an incredible moment in time right now with an unprecedented pace of innovation and I believe that Washington State and E... See more Publicis Groupe Member Of The Supervisory Board Company NamePublicis Groupe Dates EmployedMay 2019 – Present Employment Duration5 mos LocationParis, France Publicis Groupe Publicis Groupe Self-Employed Apprenticeship Advocate and Catalyst Company NameSelf-Employed Dates EmployedJan 2017 – Present Employment Duration2 yrs 9 mos Since returning from Switzerland, I have, along with my husband, been speaking across the globe with groups large and small and with government, business, academic, and philanthropic leaders about what we can learn from the Swiss system of apprenticeship. The qualit... See more Suzi and Eric LeVine in Nevada at the Governor's Conference on Workforce Innovation Suzi and Eric LeVine in Nevada at the Governor's Conference on Workforce Innovation CareerWise Colorado Board Member Company NameCareerWise Colorado Dates EmployedMar 2017 – Present Employment Duration2 yrs 7 mos LocationGreater Denver Area CareerWise is shaping Colorado's workforce through innovative, business-led youth apprenticeships. Markle Foundation Volunteer: Task force member - Rework America Task Force Company NameMarkle Foundation Dates EmployedSep 2017 – Present Employment Duration2 yrs 1 mo LocationUnited States "The Rework America Task Force seeks to transform our labor market from one solely focused on traditional credentials like degrees and work history, to one rooted in the skills needed for the jobs of the 21st century." Democratic National Committee Volunteer: Deputy National Finance Chair Company NameDemocratic National Committee Dates EmployedOct 2017 – Present Employment Duration2 yrs LocationWashington D.C. Metro Area Helping obtain the resources to build the grassroots and technology needed for the DNC. Seattle Region Partnership Co Chair Company NameSeattle Region Partnership Dates EmployedApr 2017 – Present Employment Duration2 yrs 6 mos LocationGreater Seattle Area A new tri-sector initiative that brings together business, government, and philanthropy to address jobs and opportunity for our region’s residents. The Center on the Economics and Management of Education and Training Systems at ETH International Advisory Board Member Company NameThe Center on the Economics and Management of Education and Training Systems at ETH Dates EmployedJun 2017 – Present Employment Duration2 yrs 4 mos LocationZürich Area, Switzerland The Center on the Economics and Management of Education and Training Systems (CEMETS) is dedicated to the improvement of vocational education and training worldwide through support of economic policy development for educational reform leaders, and through the ... See more Career Connect Washington Task Force Member Company NameCareer Connect Washington Task Force Dates EmployedJun 2017 – Feb 2018 Employment Duration9 mos LocationWashington State This successful public-private partnership accelerated career-connected learning in Washington during the span of the task force, delivering to Governor Inslee the recommendations linked below. As a part of this task force, my husband, Eric, and I co-organized a study trip to Sw... See more The recommendations and overview of the Career Connect Washington Task Force The recommendations and overview of the Career Connect Washington Task Force U.S. Department of State US Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein Company NameU.S. Department of State Dates EmployedMay 2014 – Jan 2017 Employment Duration2 yrs 9 mos LocationBern Area, Switzerland Led 100-person Embassy to advance United States economic, security and human rights interests Overall: Created and executed a strategic planning framework focused on building foreign direct investment and jobs in the United State... See more I-LABS at the University of Washington Company NameI-LABS at the University of Washington Total Duration13 yrs 7 mos TitleVolunteer: Advisory Board Chair and Co-Founder Dates EmployedMar 2006 – Jan 2014 Employment Duration7 yrs 11 mos Co-led strategic planning for I-LABS at UW (the world’s leading early learning research facility) to facilitate world-changing research that will improve human potential by discovering the fundamentals of human learning. Within that, I helped co-found the advisory board an... See more TitleVolunteer: Past Board Chair Dates EmployedJul 2000 – Jan 2014 Employment Duration13 yrs 7 mos Responsible over the years for personnel, development and fundraising events Obama for America Volunteer Company NameObama for America Dates EmployedJan 2007 – Jan 2013 Employment Duration6 yrs 1 mo LocationGreater Seattle Area Previously: volunteered to help the President get re-elected Microsoft Corporation Director of Strategic Partnerships for Student Developers; Director of Communications for Education Company NameMicrosoft Corporation Dates EmployedMay 2009 – May 2012 Employment Duration3 yrs 1 mo Director of Strategic Partnerships for Student Developers Managed the partnerships and sponsorship for student developer programs • Generated $2 million in partnerships with Coca Cola, Nokia,... See more The Kavana Cooperative Volunteer: Co-Founder and Board Chair Company NameThe Kavana Cooperative Dates EmployedJan 2006 – Jun 2009 Employment Duration3 yrs 6 mos Co-founder and past board chair for the Kavana Cooperative. I conceived of, raised money for, planned and rolled out an entirely new model for Jewish community. Within that, I led all of the office management and legal duties and coordinated much of the programming. We have received national recognition and are being tracked closely as a successful model for building Jewish identity. See less Expedia Vice President of Marketing and Sales Company NameExpedia Dates EmployedMar 2003 – Apr 2005 Employment Duration2 yrs 2 mos Vice President of Sales and Marketing Led 25-person luxury travel sales and marketing teams • Oversaw sales and marketing to and with hundreds of luxury travel agencies across the U.S. Director of Marketing Led the public relations and editorial teams • Managed public relations and communications for the Expedia IPO • Secured thousands of stories across the U.S., helping Expedia become the top online travel site • Oversaw the news content creation on Expedia.com, including through the 9/11 crisis See less Microsoft Product Manager Company NameMicrosoft Dates EmployedJul 1993 – Nov 1999 Employment Duration6 yrs 5 mos Product Manager for Operating Systems and Desktop Applications • Led Windows 95, MS-DOS 6.2X and WFW 3.11 forecasting, manufacturing and distribution • Coordinated, developed, built and performed at Windows 95 World Tour (26 global locations) • Handled the strategic planning, research, packaging, PR, and advertising for Home Essentials 98. See less Show fewer experiences Education Brown University Brown University Degree NameScB and AB Field Of StudyEngineering (mechanical/aerospace) AND English Dates attended or expected graduation 1989 – 1993