Every year, we take the time to recognize outstanding staff for their dedication and many contributions to our department. Criteria for selecting outstanding staff included superior service, resourcefulness, innovation, creativity, excellence, integrity, and a commitment to creating and sustaining a climate of equity, justice, and anti-racism. Congratulations to all nominees!
DGH Outstanding Staff Award Recipient
Rachel Johnson
Managing Director
International Clinical Research Center (ICRC)
For nearly a decade, Rachel has shown her commitment to global health. In her role as Managing Director of the International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), she has worked on capacity development with international partners, developed a new research structure for clinical operations, and effectively managed the UW Financial Transformation. Her leadership style is inclusive, transparent and balanced. Rachel creates a supportive workplace climate through meet and greet sessions with new graduate students, trainings, and social activities. She has also participated in the ICRC's efforts to build more equitable partnerships with our international colleagues, both with investigators and fiscal managers during the grant development and execution process.
DGH Outstanding Staff Award Nominees
Maya Beal
Assistant Director, Finance
International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH)
Maya oversees all budgeting, fiscal compliance, and operations of I-TECH. Maya has done outstanding work overseeing fiscal compliance during a period of extreme stress and uncertainty through the roll out of a new fiscal process. She has done hero's work to escalate needs that would have resulted in a loss of funding if not met, and ensure approvals and compliance is in place when the system does not yet have that functionality. She is incredibly calm and clear-headed, and a source of strong support to faculty and staff.
Mame Mareme Diakhate
Data Manager
Global Center for the Integrated Health of Women, Adolescents, and Children (Global WACh)
Mareme brings technical expertise and excels in managing research data with excellent communication. Mareme is deeply committed to her workplace relationships and devotes extra time and thought to fostering relationships and collaboration within our team and especially with our colleagues in Kenya. In addition to providing mentorship, she organizes routine meetings with the KEMRI team in Kenya to review ongoing data management work. She participates in the Gut Health & Child Survival team antiracism plan as part of the partnership pillar, while also volunteering extra time contributing to center-level guidances around equitable partnerships.
Ernie Lefler
Program Manager
Pathobiology Program
Ernie never settles for a fair job when an excellent job can be achieved. He works tirelessly to support the program and is a trusted colleague to all. Ernie always acts with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and is an ally and advocate for students from diverse backgrounds. This advocacy starts during the admissions process and continues throughout a student’s time at UW. Ernie and his actions lie at the center of many of our activities, events, and proceedings. His spirit and energy help to elevate the overall collaborative nature and interactivity within our interdisciplinary program.
Lisa Nonzee
Senior Manager
Human Resources
Lisa exemplifies excellence and integrity in workplace relationships, interactions, and decision-making by fostering a positive team built on trust, transparency, and growth. DGH's international footprint, highly diversified funding portfolio, and significant faculty and student rosters, mean being creative and resourceful is a must for pulling together services to meet needs. Lisa excels at creating a safe space through open communication and humor, and demonstrates genuine interest in colleagues’ ideas and concerns. She encourages the sharing of knowledge amongst team members and advocates for employees, striving to find the best solution. She is the most present senior HR figure throughout multiple lifecycles of HR teams within the department.
Lincoln Pothan
Research Coordinator
Global Center for the Integrated Health of Women, Adolescents, and Children (Global WACh)
Lincoln is a truly incredible colleague. Her ability to move between big-picture and detailed thinking – and explain issues at both levels – is invaluable to our projects. She can adapt to meet any need that comes up, ranging from logistical challenges training 700 healthcare workers in Kenya, to technical challenges in data management, to political challenges navigating stakeholder expectations. Lincoln ensures that team members are well-supported and has shown exemplary commitment to decolonizing global health. She works closely with our Kenyan colleagues to understand how she and the rest of the UW team can be in an effective supportive role.
Melanie Rabe
Accountant
International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH)
Melanie has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to the mission of our department. Melanie consistently fosters positive workplace relationships through her approachable demeanor, willingness to collaborate, and genuine concern for the well-being of her colleagues. Furthermore, she demonstrates unwavering integrity in her decision-making processes, always prioritizing the best interests of the department and upholding ethical principles in every action she takes. In addition to all the achievements in navigating the challenges of the new University financial system, Melanie has taken the initiative to create comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which have significantly improved the efficiency and effectiveness of our processes.
Marisa Van Osdale
Senior Program Manager
International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH)
Marisa is passionate about her work, has outstanding attention to detail, and never hesitates to problem-solve when there are concerns or confusion. In addition to her regular program duties, she is routinely one of the first people to volunteer for center-wide activities including supporting award/grant applications, being a member of the I-TECH DEI Committee, participating in strategy/planning groups, and planning I-TECH’s end-of-the-year party. She has always taken the time – even in the busiest periods at I-TECH – to recognize her colleague’s work. Marisa is a true leader and it’s clear that she values her colleagues.
Selam Yadetta
Program Manager
Master of Public Health Program
Selam goes above and beyond to ensure that our students and colleagues find the resources they need. She helps to create and sustain a climate of equity, justice, and anti-racism by working with our international students from many different backgrounds. Selam was the singular most important person in planning a successful Iftar event with more than 130 attendees by coordinating multiple people to harmoniously support the Iftar, despite her personal commitments. Selam donated her time and effort, putting the welfare of the event attendees first above all else.
Thank you again to the nominators!