May 13, 2024

Event Recap | Theory to Practice: Leading People in a Post-Pandemic World

Theory to Practice is an ongoing series of discussions hosted by the Evans School that brings together academics and researchers at UW with practitioners in the field to explore key policy, governance, and social sector topics.

On May 9, 2024, the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance hosted a compelling conversation on the challenges and opportunities of managing and leading a public workforce in our post-pandemic world.

Our panelists shared insights and experiences from their work at both local and federal levels, offering valuable perspectives on adapting to remote work, fostering employee resilience, and reimagining service delivery. From research-backed strategies to real-world practices, we delved into the complex issues facing public sector leaders today. Attendees engaged in an honest exploration of the hurdles ahead and the innovative strategies needed to navigate them effectively in today’s workforce.

Resources

Resource Doc

Speakers

Lisa Pearson

Lisa Pearson serves as the PBS Regional Commissioner for the Northwest/Arctic Region of the U.S. General Services Administration, providing leadership to the region in delivering programs and services for a portfolio of 504 owned and leased buildings across Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Pearson began her career with GSA in 2001 as an Employee & Labor Relations Specialist in the Great Lakes Region. She has since held several senior level positions including two stints as Acting PBS Regional Commissioner.

She completed a Bachelor’s in Sociology & Urban Studies at Northwestern University and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Sebawit (Sebu) Bishu

Sebawit (Seba) Bishu is an Assistant Professor of Public Management at the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington, Seattle.

Her scholarly work explores race and gender relations in public organizations with a focus on leadership, street-level bureaucracy, identity, and organizational behavior. Bishu’s research asks the question “how do societal, organizational and managerial level factors shape public organizations’ and bureaucrats’ behaviors and decisions, and what are the implications for access to, and quality of, public services?”

Bishu’s work is published in academic journals such as Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, Public Administration Review, the American Review of Public Administration, and the Review of Public Personnel Administration.  She is currently conducting qualitative research using data from 143 interviews with municipal managers across the United States.

Stephanie Lucash

Stephanie Lucash is Deputy City Manager at the City of Kenmore. She has 30 years of municipal government experience including management and leadership positions at the Cities of Kenmore, Seattle, and Covington. In Kenmore, she oversees an array of critical areas such as economic development, public safety, housing and human services, and more. Her exemplary work in Kenmore has earned her two statewide award.

Lucash is President of the Board of Directors for the Washington City/County Management Association. She also serves on the Association of Washington Cities Board of Directors and as Vice Chair of the Washington Secretary of State’s Archives, Library and Legacy Foundation Board of Trustees.

Before joining Kenmore, Lucash was Director of Citywide HR Planning and Innovation at the City of Seattle where she played a key role in the City’s pandemic response and launched nine citywide human resources projects.

Lucash has a Master’s of Public Administration from the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance at the University of Washington and is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, certified Crucial Conversations trainer and Peacekeeper.