Our Team

With more than 75 employees, including a team of HR experts and employment attorneys, Washington Employers is the industry leader in strategic workforce performance solutions. Our leadership team includes seasoned professionals who are deeply committed to helping member organizations achieve the business results they need to succeed and thrive.

Leadership Team

Craig Nelson, President – Craig Nelson is President of Washington Employers. Craig’s strategic vision ensures that the organization recruits, develops, and engages talented employees to facilitate the unique needs of members. Craig joined Washington Employers in 1987, and has more than 30 years of business management experience. He holds a B.S. from the University of Oregon, and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. He also holds an insurance license in Washington State. 

Matthew Lynch, Director, Labor Relations Services and General Counsel — Matt Lynch is Director of Labor Relations Services and General Counsel for Washington Employers. Matt has been with the organization since 1988, and leads a department of labor relations and employment law attorneys and HR professionals who deliver strategic advocacy and solutions for employers confronting HR, employment law, and union challenges. His legal and HR compliance team partners with other Washington Employers service providers to offer integrated HR and legal services unique to the business community. Prior to joining Washington Employers, he practiced at a Seattle law firm. Matt earned his J.D. from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis and his B.A. from the University of Chicago. 

Arthur Dalessandro, Director, Workers’ Compensation Services.  Arthur M.  Dalessandro is the Director of Workers’ Compensation Services for Washington Employers where he manages the largest Manufacturing Retrospective Rating Program in the state of Washington with in excess of thirty million dollars in annual premiums.   Mr. Dalessandro has more than 20 years of workers’ compensation experience, 19 of which has been focused on Washington State Retrospective Rating and Third Party Administration. He joined the Washington Employers Team in 1995.  Previously, he supervised the national accounts unit of a nationwide insurance organization and was certified to administer self-insured benefits nationally. 

Jeannine Ryan, Director, Sales, Marketing and Member Services – Jeannine Ryan is Director of Sales, Marketing, and Member Services. She manages the sales, marketing, learning and development, and consulting teams to deliver bottom-line results for members. Jeannine, a Washington Employers team member since 2010, has more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, employee development, and talent management positions. Her prior positions include director of talent development at T-Mobile USA, co-founder of Realized Performance, vice president of sales for Click2learn Inc. (now SumTotal Systems), regional operations and sales management roles for IBM Global Learning Services, and sales roles for AT&T. She holds a B.A. degree from the University of Washington. 

Susan Fitzgerald, Director, Business Operations — Susan Fitzgerald is Director of Business Operations, where she supervises Washington Employers’ business management functions, including accounting, finance, and IT services, and serves on the organization’s leadership team. Susan joined Washington Employers in 2006, and has more than 28 years of experience in finance, accounting, and business operations. She is a Certified Management Accountant, and holds a B.S. degree from California State University at Chico.