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August 28, 2025

Department of Commerce

Zavala

Daniel Narvaez Zavala is the state Department of Commerce's new chief operating officer. Zavala was appointed by Commerce Director Joe Nguyen and began state service earlier this summer. Zavala has nearly 20 years of experience working in education, housing, law and nonprofits. Most recently, he served as executive director of Building Changes, a statewide organization dedicated to advancing equitable solutions to prevent and end homelessness for youth and families. Under his leadership, the organization grew new partnerships, expanded its footprint and impact, and secured more funding for housing stability. Zavala also held senior leadership roles in education advocacy, leading efforts to improve school funding, transparency, and accountability across multiple states. He began his career as a special education teacher in New York City and Washington, D.C. He also worked at the state Attorney General's Office, as well as at Boeing and Amazon. Zavala holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law, and a master's in psychology and a bachelor's in international relations from Stanford University. He is a member of the Washington State Bar, and his executive education includes programs at the University of Washington Foster School of Business and Harvard Business School.




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