Laurel Poplack

Workforce Development and Legislative Department Administrative Assistant

 

Since January 2022, Laurel (she/they) has served on two teams at the WSLC: the Workforce Development Department, which is dedicated to advocating for Washington’s working families from initial entry into the workforce, to career transition, and when facing job loss; and the Legislative Department, which engages in legislative processes in support of the labor movement’s shared priorities and to further affiliates’ individual interests in state government. They work out of the WSLC’s Olympia office.

Laurel previously served as the WSLC’s Legislative Intern in 2021. For the two years prior, they worked for YWCA Olympia, both as an Americorps service member and as Program Specialist to help create, track and advance the organization’s legislative agenda. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they also worked with UNITE HERE Local 8 to help support its laid-off members seek unemployment and health benefits, food assistance and grant applications, and did tenant organizing work with Washington Community Action Network. Laurel earned a B.A. in American Cultural Studies from Fairhaven College at Western Washington University in 2016.

“Through these experiences, I now understand the significance of our power when we act collectively,” Poplack said. “I am passionate and ready to mobilize to create more equitable systems for us all. I am very excited for my role with WSLC and the opportunity to support and strengthen workers’ rights in Washington state.”