Who We Are

The DCYF Oversight Board is led by two co-chairs, one community member and one legislator. Co-chairs are elected every two years, with the legislative position alternating between parties each term.

The Board is composed of subject matter experts and representatives from the early learning, child welfare, and juvenile justice and rehabilitation sectors, as well as individuals with lived experience and members of the Legislature. All board roles are defined in statute (RCW 43.216.015).

Co-Chairs

Portrait of Diane Liebe

Diane Liebe, MD

Co-Chair, Community Member Yakima Valley Farm Worker’s Clinic, Children’s Village

Portrait of Claire Wilson

Claire Wilson

Co-Chair, Democratic Legislator Washington State Senate

Board Members

Portrait of Sharonda Amamilo

Sharonda Amamilo

Judicial representative presiding over child welfare court proceedings or other children's matters Thurston County Superior Court Judge

Portrait of Anna Armstrong

Anna Armstrong

Representative, Eastern Washington Tribal Kalispel Tribe

Portrait of Steve Bergquist

Steve Bergquist

Democratic Legislator Washington State House of Representatives

Selfie of Katie Biron

Katie Biron

Representative, Foster Parent Fostering Connections

Portrait of Bobbe Bridge

Bobbe Bridge

Subject Matter Expert, Juvenile Rehabilitation and Justice Center for Children & Youth Justice

Portrait of Leonard Christian

Leonard Christian

Republican Legislator Washington State Senate

Portrait of Tom Dent

Tom Dent

Republican Legislator Washington State House of Representatives

Portrait of Ben de Haan

Ben de Haan, PhD

Subject Matter Expert, Child Welfare University of Washington School of Social Work

Selfie of Pamela Javier

Pamela Javier

Lived Expert, Current or Former Foster Youth Co-Design Consultant

Selfie of Danielle Johnson

Danielle Johnson

Representative, Child Welfare Caseworker Department of Children, Youth, and Families

Portrait of Ruth Kagi

Ruth Kagi

Subject Matter Expert, Early Learning State Representative (retired)

Black and white portrait of Lois Martin

Lois Martin

Representative, Early Childhood Program Practitioner Community Day Center for Children

McClanahan, Tonia – 2023

Tonia McClanahan

Parent Group Stakeholder Representative Washington State Office of Public Defense

Portrait of Mary Sprute Garlant

Mary Sprute Garlant

Representative, Office of the Governor (non-voting) The Office of the Governor

Stacy Williams2

Stacy Williams

Western Washington Tribal Representative Cowlitz and Clark County Child Advocates

Portrait of Shelly Willis

Shelly Willis

Organization Advocating for the Best Interest of the Child Representative Family Education and Support Services (FESS)

Our Staff

Portrait of Lyscha Marcynyszyn

Lyscha Marcynyszyn, PhD

Executive Director

Selfie of Nickolaus Colgan

Nickolaus Colgan

Administrative Coordinator