Grace Yoo, who has led the Washington Women’s Commission’s quest to improve pay equity, will become head of the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness at the state Department of Commerce.

Yoo had served as executive director of the Women’s Commission — a state agency that reports directly to Gov. Jay Inslee — since May of last year. During her tenure, Yoo expanded the commission’s mission beyond more conventional women’s policy areas such as reproductive health and safety issues around domestic violence to include economic empowerment. The commission recently launched a statewide campaign called “Activate 3.8” to promote pay equity for women across the state. The name refers to the 3.8 million women in Washington state.

Women across the state made $18,400 less in average wages than men in 2022, the second-largest discrepancy in the U.S.

Yoo will become assistant director of the state Department of Commerce, and will lead its economic development efforts.

“I’m a strong believer in the power of economic empowerment to unlock better outcomes in the health and safety of our communities,” Yoo said, “especially those that are underrepresented and underestimated.”

Yoo previously worked in an executive role at Starbucks and, prior to that, served as a diplomat with the U.S. Foreign Service, where she advocated for the rights of Americans incarcerated in foreign countries.

At the Department of Commerce, Yoo will lead teams promoting industry sector development, small business export assistance, and small business finance and community support.

“Her business and international experience, coupled with her background and passion for topics crucial to human rights and equity, are ideally aligned with the department’s work and strategic priorities moving forward,” Commerce Director Mike Fong said.