Commissioners & Staff

Mary Wideman-Williams is a leadership development and organizational effectiveness trainer, instructor, and speaker. As Founder and Principal Consultant of MWW Enterprises she engages with organizations, designing and delivering impactful workshops and premier presentations. Mary served the City of Seattle in a variety of senior leadership roles over a 20-year career. She has deep human resources expertise and experience in both the public and private sectors. During her tenure with the City of Seattle, she led HR and Organizational Development functions at Seattle Public Utilities and served as the Director of Employment and Training with the Seattle Department of Human Resources. She was the Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer at Seattle Center from 2008-2018. Mary earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington, Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. She currently contributes as a guest instructor with the Evans School's Executive MPA program.

Denise retired from city service in 2023 after a rewarding 33-year career. Over the years, she worked across three city departments, dedicating 14 years to the Seattle Animal Shelter and 18 years to Seattle Center. Her professional expertise spans administrative executive support, project management, data analysis, human resources, public disclosure, public transportation, senior leadership, and extensive knowledge of internal and external city processes. Now enjoying her retirement, Denise is pursuing some long time personal interests, as well as doing some consulting and volunteer work. She currently resides with her husband in Port Orchard.

After graduating from the University of Washington with a BA in Social Science, I began my employment with City Light.  My father was a prominent self-made electrician during his lifetime, and my work at City Light provided an opportunity to share a common interest at the dinner table. 

I have been on various boards and committees at the City of Seattle for nearly 20 years. I served as President of City Light’s Black Employees Association, an Employee Survey Strategy Team Member, an Employee Assistance for Seattle Employees Trustee, a Combined Charities Coordinator, a Trustee and union steward for what is now PROTEC17  (through its evolutions with other labor organizations)  as a  Mayor’s Race and Social Justice Core Team Member, and City Light’s Race and Social Justice Change Team Member. 

I ran for Seattle’s Civil Service Commissioner because I believe my 20+ years tenure with the City of Seattle and my dedication representing employees’ interests will make me an asset for employees on this board. I believe I can help contribute my personal work experience in the city on this board improving training, opportunities, and fair outcomes. 

Andrea Scheele is the Executive Director of the City's Civil Service Commission and Public Safety Civil Service Commission and leads the CIV department. 

Andrea has worked as an employment and labor attorney and HR professional since 2005. She began working for the City of Seattle in 2014, and joined the civil service commissions since 2019. Andrea lives in West Seattle with her family and when she's not at work, enjoys working in her garden.

Sarah is the Civil Service Commissions Operations and Policy Advisor. She began her career at the City in 2003 as an intern for the City Auditor's Office. In her tenure, she has worked on labor relations, legislation, and human resources policy matters. Sarah is committed to equitable processes and standards in government employment to ensure fairness and value to employees, City departments, and the public. She lives in Seattle with her family and two cats; in her spare time enjoys practicing Spanish and writing letters on her 1954 Olympia typewriter.  

Teresa has been with the City of Seattle since 2001. Teresa worked for the Ethics and Elections Commission and worked out of class with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in 2003. She was promoted to the position as Administrative Staff Assistant for the CSC. In 2012 the Civil Service Commission and Public Safety Civil Service Commission combined staff to become the Civil Service Commissions (CIV.) Teresa became the Administrative support for the Executive Director, both commissions, and four hearing officers. She was promoted to Executive Assistant of CIV in 2020. Teresa enjoys working with the diverse employees of the City of Seattle and is committed to working toward achieving equity and enhancing diversity in the work of the Commissions. Teresa is the mother of an adult son in his 30's. She enjoys road trips on her Harley. She has toured Route 66, Sturgis, and Highway 101. Teresa is competitive in powerlifting and holds several World, National, State, first place, and best lifter titles in the Bench Press and deadlift. She is an inductee in her lifting federation's Hall of Fame.