Bob Ferguson, the governor-elect of Washington, has appointed Kathryn Leathers as the new director of the Department of Retirement Systems, effective January 15. This agency is responsible for managing retirement plans for nearly 1 million public sector employees, including teachers, police officers, and firefighters. Ferguson praised Leathers as a dedicated public servant committed to the sustainability of retirement plans. Her extensive experience includes serving as general counsel for the governor's office since 2017 and advising both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. Leathers has also held significant roles in the state bar association and has prosecutorial experience in King County.

This appointment is part of Ferguson's broader initiative to refresh leadership across state agencies, emphasizing the importance of sustainable retirement systems for public sector workers. Leathers' diverse legal and legislative background positions her well to address the complexities of retirement systems, aiming to enhance the agency's effectiveness in safeguarding the retirement of Washington's public employees.