Meet Our Economic Development Team

We help businesses throughout the state begin or increase their exports and international sales. Our team provides a range of support services, including advocacy, consulting, risk mitigation, market research, trade show support and more, all designed to help Washington companies open doors to trade overseas and increase sales. Download more information that provides an overview about our team, learn more and get in touch with us.

Isabelle DeWulf – Managing Director
As Managing Director of Commerce’s Small Business Export Assistance division (SBEA), Isabelle is responsible for developing and managing Washington State’s export promotion initiatives and international trade development services supporting small and medium-sized businesses throughout the state. Before joining Commerce’s Export Assistance team, Isabelle managed and developed the French-American Chamber of Commerce – Dallas/Fort Worth, whose mission is to promote trade and investment between France and North Texas. Isabelle acted as a liaison for the French-American business community, government agencies, trade and community-based organizations. The SBEA team assists Washington companies enter or expand their business capacity into foreign markets, diversifying and growing the state’s economy, preserving the state’s global competitiveness, resulting in jobs retention and creation, and strengthening communities throughout the state.

Joanna Boatwright – Aerospace International Trade Specialist
Before joining Commerce Joanna worked for several Boeing suppliers, including Orion Industries, Three Sigma Manufacturing and Pegasus Northwest, as well as non-profit aerospace organizations such as the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA), and the British American Business Council (BABC-PNW). Joanna brings a strong knowledge of Washington State’s aerospace industry sector and extensive connections within the aerospace supply chain to her role in Commerce, as well as her expertise in business development, project management and marketing. In addition, Joanna’s has extensive experience planning both in person and virtual events for regional and global audiences and connecting Washington and international businesses.

Karl Dahlgren – Life Science/Global Health International Trade Specialist
Before joining Commerce, Karl was based in Santiago, Chile, serving as a freelance consultant for an international trade consulting firm on various projects in the Americas since 2009.  During the same period, he started importing cellphone charging kiosks from the U.S., sourced and founded his own coffee brand, and was granted a utility patent by the USPTO.  As a freelance consultant, Karl assisted companies in entering South American markets (and vice versa), generated market reports and regulatory requirements updates, and worked on projects in the medical equipment, mining, gas and oil, and electric mobility sectors. Before moving to Chile, he was a global commodity broker (precious metals, urea, manganese, soy and coffee beans) based in Portland, Oregon. Karl is tri-lingual (English, Spanish, and Portuguese).

Tammy Deets – Clean Technology, Advanced Manufacturing & Maritime Manager
Tammy has a broad range of experience in the private and public sectors and brings her strong business development, marketing and sales experience as well as her knowledge of the clean tech, advanced manufacturing, forest products, and maritime industry sectors to the team. Tammy’s experience includes starting up an international business firm in Hong Kong to co-founding a non-profit organization promoting clean energy in Washington State. Throughout her career Tammy worked with entrepreneurs, C-Suite executives, elected officials and civic leaders. As a member of OEDC’s Business Development Unit, Tammy was involved in business recruitment, expansion and retention throughout the state. Tammy will now have the opportunity to assist small businesses enter and expand into foreign markets and leverage the strong connections she developed with ADOS, trade organizations and global businesses.

Nicole Gunkle – Special Projects Manager
As Special Projects Manager, Nicole manages Commerce’s STEP Export Voucher Program and other projects as assigned. Before joining the Office of Economic Development & Competitiveness, she served as the International Export Grant Manager for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Nicole has a strong background in international trade, grant management, communications, marketing and events management. As Export Grant Manager, she project-managed large government contracts, supported the development of U.S. company operations abroad, developed and fostered collaboration between business and government entities, and led outreach and engagement initiatives for program awareness.

Julie Monahan – Information & Communication Technology Development Manager
Julie has spent a career supporting the growth and success of small businesses. As a business journalist, Julie covered the banking and technology industry, interviewed Fortune 500 CEOs, and was a long-time contributor to Entrepreneur magazine, the leading publication devoted to small business development. Her commitment to entrepreneurship now spurs her work to connect Washington State tech companies with global opportunities at international trade shows and with inbound trade and business delegations from around the world. Julie was part of the original team that launched the U.S. Small Business Administration’s STEP program in Washington State in 2011, with responsibility for outreach and communications and the Export Voucher program.

The sector development program supports an array of industries, creating policy, navigating regulatory barriers and providing invaluable advocacy.The team works closely with emerging market leaders as they transform their innovations into commercial-scale products and services. They identify a range of resources that help grow our regional workforce in ways that strengthen communities – vital to Washington’s competitive success in both U.S. and global markets.

Kirk Esmond – Innovation & Industry Partnerships Director
Kirk and his team serve as liaisons between regional, national and international governmental entities. In particular, Kirk ensures Commerce supports key industry sectors across Washington State by promoting our innovation economy and developing strategic partnerships. This role fosters collaboration in ways that benefit economic development. Additionally, Kirk engages regional, national and international stakeholders, partners with the Department of Ecology’s Recycling Market Development Center, and advises on policy, legislation, and budget requests. Kirk also continues to direct the statewide circular economy programs and initiatives. Kirk brings valuable expertise that spans more than 20 years from both the private and public sectors, including workshop facilitation, development of purpose-driven strategies, market research, brand and corporate communications, technical writing, and grant management.

Kyle Gitchell – Circular Economy Development Director
Kyle serves as a connector for Washington’s emerging circular economy markets. He works to oversee the reuse and repurposing of industrial waste into innovative opportunities through grant funding, policy engagement, and community partnership. He collaborates with the Department of Ecology on the Recycling Market Development Center to advance solutions for economic circularity. Kyle brings a breadth of knowledge and experiences from his background at Commerce as a leader in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives as well as a Systems Performance Analyst in the housing and homelessness system. As a US Army veteran, AmeriCorps VISTA alumnus, and former nonprofit leader Kyle brings a passion for supporting communities and helping people succeed. Kyle holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Policy and is currently pursuing a degree in Complex Systems Science to help public systems better support policymaking and community development in increasingly complex issues.

Leslie Perkins – Circular Economy Development Manager
Leslie supports emerging industries in Washington State’s circular economy with initiatives to reduce industrial waste and promote recycling innovation across our state. She administers the Industrial Symbiosis Grant Program and also collaborates with the Department of Ecology on the Recycling Market Development Center. They advance solutions for hard-to-manage waste materials, providing information and resources. Leslie’s prior experiences include Commerce’s Energy Division, and diverse private and public sector entities, serving on staff for several elected officials. Leslie lends real-world experience to her education, holding a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Sustainable Business Practices certificate program.  Leslie is passionate about connecting people to meaningful solutions in solid waste and land use policy, community outreach, entrepreneur training programs, and operations.

Shannon Halberstadt  – Creative Economy Sector Lead
As Creative Economy Sector Lead, Shannon cultivates partnerships and policy to grow creative businesses and jobs in Washington State. Shannon brings decades of experience supporting Washington State’s creative workers and creative businesses, including leadership roles with Artist Trust, Spokane Arts, The Recording Academy (GRAMMY’s), and The Vera Project. She’s sat on numerous Boards and Commissions such as Whipsmart!, Inspire Washington, Seattle Music Commission, and Seattle Center Advisory Commission. When she’s not at work, you’ll likely find Shannon traveling, swimming, hiking, hunting down the best restaurants, or enjoying live music and cultural events.

Vincent Canada – Industry Sector Development Management Analyst
Before joining the Office of Economic Development & Competitiveness, Vincent served as a Public Benefits Specialist with the Department of Social and Health Services. In this role, he worked closely with people new to the U.S. fleeing persecution, war, poverty and violence. He is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, majoring in Political Science and International Relations. Vincent went on to obtain his Juris Doctorate at the American University, University of Washington College of Law. Vincent is an avid fan of Seattle sports teams and hopes to see the Mariners win the World Series. He loves the outdoors and spends as much time as he can by the water when the weather is nice.

Lynn Longan – Manager, Small Business Training & Education Center

Born and raised in rural Washington State, Lynn’s introduction to economic development was in family-owned and operated businesses such as logging, road construction, tree farming and shellfish farming. Lynn brings 20 years of economic development experience to our team. After working for the Department of Commerce in the Economic Development Division for 16 years, she accepted the role of Executive Director of the Economic Development Council in Mason County. Returning to Commerce, Lynn serves as the agency expert responsible for setting the agenda for the state’s economic development strategies for rural and underserved communities. She is responsible for developing and overseeing entrepreneur and small business training and education programs such as ScaleUp, Thrive!, Global Entrepreneurship Month and other technical assistance, education and training programs and services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, particularly those in rural and underserved communities.

Jacquie Goodwill – Marketing Communications Manager

Jacquie brings with her nearly three decades of marketing communications expertise for key community services and utilities that define our economic landscape. Her experiences reflect award-winning market launches and reputation management programs during periods of growth, acquisition, or major organizational transitions in small to mid-size towns across Washington and Oregon. Jacquie is verklempt over her son’s service in the United States Marine Corps, as well as her ability to feed and shelter her oversized lap dog and two cats who weigh, collectively, over 130 pounds. Her alter ego writes romance novels and memoir genre on healing and transformation following loss. Jacquie earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Seattle and her master’s degree in Public Communication from the American University in the District of Columbia.

Alex Harper – Brand & Creative Manager

Alex directs all the digital communications for the Choose Washington brand, including serving as webmaster for several Commerce websites. Before joining our team, Alex served as Advertising Creative Manager for McClatchy Company, overseeing creative and branding standards, managing the creative team and working with internal and external clients on an array of award-winning projects. He has extensive experience managing complex campaigns as well as maximizing the effectiveness of digital assets, including website design, construction and management, information design and analytics. Alex is also a whiz in the graphics department, serving as the go-to guy for ongoing design projects related to the brand. In his spare time, he likes to have his four dogs take him for a walk and engage in amazing creative pursuits that dazzle and mystify his coworkers.

Kara Haggard – Design & Production Manager

Kara is quietly making her mark in the design world. Before her current role, she owned a successful web and graphic design business, gaining a solid foundation in the industry. Kara’s strength lies in her ability to give a modern twist to old-school design trends, creating a unique and captivating aesthetic that resonates with our audiences. Her willingness to learn and adapt, while staying true to her design roots and signature style, sets her apart as a designer who brings a fresh perspective to the ever-evolving design world. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering in the community, strategy games, and caring for her beloved menagerie of pets.