State Senator Joe Nguyễn has been appointed as the next director of the Washington state Department of Commerce. The department plays a crucial role in managing economic development programs and addressing important issues such as clean energy deployment, electric vehicle adoption, and affordable housing. Nguyễn, a Democrat from West Seattle, has a background in technology, having worked at Microsoft for nearly a decade before entering public service. He has received recognition for his civic work and leadership in the Legislature, where he has pushed for legislation on climate change, clean energy, and technology education.
Nguyễn’s appointment was announced by Governor Bob Ferguson, who praised his experience and record of fighting for the people of Washington. As the state’s first Vietnamese American senator, Nguyễn’s personal background as the child of refugees from Vietnam adds a unique perspective to his new role. He will be taking over from Mike Fong, the current director of Commerce, who has been in the position since 2023. Nguyễn’s leadership in addressing pressing issues facing the state is expected to have a positive impact on the department’s work going forward.
In other news, Rene Yoakum, the executive vice president of customer and culture at Seattle-based Remitly, is stepping down from her role after more than six years with the company. She will continue to provide consulting services for Remitly through the end of 2026. Additionally, Banzai International has appointed Nancy Norton as its chief legal officer. Norton brings a wealth of experience in legal counsel for technology and biotech companies to her new role, where she will play a vital part in driving the company’s growth strategy and exploring new avenues for expansion.
Seattle’s Matthew Bogdan is set to become a partner at the law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, focusing on energy, infrastructure, and clean tech industries. Bogdan’s expertise includes a range of energy sectors such as wind and solar power, energy storage, and electric vehicle charging. Meanwhile, two assistant professors at Seattle’s Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Christina Termini and Sanjay Srivatsan, have received awards to support their research in cancer biology. Termini will investigate processes underlying acute myeloid leukemia, while Srivatsan will study the origins of glioblastoma, a primary brain tumor in adults.
Finally, next-generation nuclear company NuScale Power has added Diana Walters to its board of directors. The Corvallis, Oregon-based company is developing small modular reactors and has plans to potentially build devices in Ohio and Pennsylvania to support data center operations. Despite laying off a portion of its workforce at the start of the year, NuScale continues to advance its technology and expand its reach in the energy sector. Walters, with a background in the natural resources sector, brings valuable expertise to the company’s board as it navigates future growth opportunities.
