Zavala started at the agency earlier this summer



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Aug. 22, 2025

Commerce Director appoints Daniel Narváez Zavala as new chief operating officer

Zavala has nearly 20 years' experience in public service

Daniel Narváez Zavala is the Department of Commerce’s new Chief Operating Officer. Zavala was appointed by Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn and began state service earlier this summer.

Daniel Narváez Zavala

“Daniel will help ensure we remain a responsive, accountable, and mission-driven agency,” Director Nguyễn said. “His leadership will directly support our commitment to strengthen communities and grow Washington’s economy. He will energize our executive leadership team and help the whole agency navigate tremendous national and statewide changes.”

Zavala was born and raised in Washington to a family of public servants. He's carried on that tradition for nearly 20 years in fields including 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.

“Commerce is a central state partner in ensuring success for people across Washington,” Zavala said. “I’m humbled by the incredible people here and I’m committed to helping build cohesion and culture in this agency to improve the lives of each and every person in this state and our tribal communities. In this role, I will strive to remove barriers and reduce risk, and help communities access public resources to strengthen the communities we serve.”

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 Washington State Attorney General’s Office, as well as at Boeing and Amazon, bringing public and private sector experience from institutions that shape Washington’s economy and public systems.

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.

For more information, go to commerce.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]. 









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