Joanne Peterson
Director of Management Services
Seattle Public Utilities
Executive MPA, University of Washington's Evans School, 2005
Areas of Specialization:
Leadership Development and Succession Planning
Joanne Peterson is the director of management services for Seattle Public Utilities. She teaches courses through Cascade Executive Programs on succession planning.
In her work with Seattle Public Utilities, Peterson leads a group of 30 within a shared services model for field operations and maintenance. Her division supports workforce and business systems across three lines of business–drinking water, wastewater/storm water, and solid waste. Her responsibilities also include the management of two apprentice programs that serve as the career entrance point for skilled craft workers, budget and fleets management, strategic procurement, and performance management.
Peterson also served as the human resources director for Seattle Public Utilities and became a champion within the industry for leadership development and succession planning. Under her direction, Seattle Public Utilities trained nearly 300 emerging leaders in a customized curriculum to prepare participants for the changing workforce. Her extensive experience within the public sector also includes serving as a planner and administrator of human services and manager of affordable housing programs in Kitsap County.
Prior to entering the public sector, Peterson spent more than 10 years in the not-for-profit community focusing on the creation of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Peterson holds an Executive Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Affairs.