The Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) is excited to welcome two new staff members whose skills, passions, and professional experiences will strengthen our mission to support Washington’s locally elected school boards. With these additions, WSSDA’s professional staff now includes 14 full-time and two part-time employees.
Meet Cynthia, Legislative Policy Specialist
Cynthia Tamayo joins WSSDA with deep experience in nonpartisan policy, advocacy, and community engagement.
A Skagit Valley native now living in Lacey, Cynthia earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in sociology and cultural anthropology from Saint Martin’s University. Motivated by her lived experiences and a deep desire to address inequities impacting underserved communities, she later pursued a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in government and policy.
Growing up in a low-income household and becoming the first in her family to attend college shaped her belief in the power of education. She brings that passion to her work, emphasizing the importance of amplifying community voices in shaping meaningful policy solutions.
Cynthia’s professional background includes service at the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs, where she led a bilingual civic-engagement campaign to help community members understand and participate in the legislative process. She also advised on policy initiatives for Hispanic and Latino communities. Prior to that, she supported National Guard members at the Washington Student Achievement Council with applications for the National Guard Post-Secondary Education Grant.
Outside of work, Cynthia volunteers with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Washington State Leadership Board. When not advocating for equitable policy, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, Indi and Zola, reading, and spending quality time with family.
As Director of Strategic Advocacy Logan Noel-Endres shared, “Cynthia comes to us with a strong background working in nonpartisan policy and advocacy spaces. She is a strong communicator who weaves meaningful conversations and personal stories into advocacy messages.”
Meet Emily, Administrative Assistant
Also joining WSSDA is Emily Manganello, our new administrative assistant, whose experience blends public administration, technology, and organizational support.
Emily brings several years of experience supporting local government operations and IT service management. During her time with the City of Colorado Springs, she played an important role in process improvement, training development, and the creation of technical and policy documentation used across departments. Her work often bridged the gap between internal technical systems and the employees who rely on them, ensuring that information was accessible, accurate, and easy to understand.
With a Master of Public Administration and an academic background in information systems, Emily combines analytical skill with a commitment to community service. She values clear communication and collaboration, believing that strong internal systems are essential to good governance.
A Colorado native, Emily moved to Washington State in 2021 in search of “greener pastures”—though she still misses the snow. She’s an avid traveler and makes fast friends when gifted with a unique deck of playing cards!
WSSDA is thrilled to welcome both Cynthia and Emily. Their experience and enthusiasm will help us continue supporting school directors and advancing public education across Washington state.