Nichole Ossa

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Organizational Development Administrator
State of Washington

Nichole Ossa has held a variety of roles in Human Service including working in direct service and administrative roles related to vocational rehabilitation, mental health, long-term care, disability supports, poverty reduction, and workforce development. Since 2018 Nichole has dedicated her time specifically to DEI in public service. She currently serves as the Chief of Proactive Equity, Access Planning, and Belonging for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

Nichole holds an undergraduate degree focused on Latin American studies and human rights, a master’s degree in counseling psychology, and is currently completing a Ph.D. in social justice and transformational leadership studies. Nichole credits the opportunity she had as a young person to participate in a campaign to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as her first awakening moment with DEI. Today, she is living her childhood dream of participating in creating a more equitable world, something that would not be possible without the work of those that came before her, those that join her today, and those are ready and step in to continue this work.