Staff Spotlight: Chrissie Younie
As Department HR Manager, Chrissie’s job is to partner with, educate and provide guidance to all the division HR Managers/Division Administrators on matters relating to HR, including job descriptions, Workday issues, business processes, LOA guidance, compensation, employee relations, and more.
Chrissie has always had a passion for travel and her current position comes after a career shift from the hospitality and tourism industry.
After graduating high school, she took a gap year and solo-traveled to Ireland & England. “I lived there for about 3-months, just traveling around, meeting new people, and seeing the sights. I did not know anyone before I left here and was only my second time to Europe,” she said.
Once she returned, she enrolled at EdCC (Edmonds Community College) where she earned her Associates of Applied Science in Hospitality & Tourism (plus a certificate).
After a few years working as a reservation agent for a cruise line and a travel counselor and airline ticketing agent with the Wyndham group, she went back to school and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Administrative Management from Central Washington University.
“At CWU I worked as a Student Assistant in the Graduate School Office and that piqued my interest in graduate school and I decided to apply!”
While working toward her Master’s in Administrative Management & Data Analytics at CWU, Chrissie began in her current role at the University of Washington. She said, “there was about 6-months of overlap where I was a full time grad student and working full time in my position, it was insane!”
Chrissie enjoys the diversity of her work in her position and the opportunities for professional development and learning new skills.
“Each day is always different and I thrive in that atmosphere—keeps you on your toes! I also enjoy constantly learning new things and the UW and Department of Medicine is a great place to do just that.”
In addition to her everyday duties, she is currently a member of the Professional Development Workgroup for the Department of Medicine strategic plan.
“I am excited to be part of this workgroup because I personally believe professional development opportunities for employees are very important to allow for growth in their role, interests and knowledge,” Chrissie said.
“Also, I just love learning and professional development allows for those opportunities!“
When she is not at work, she’s likely travelling (“or researching different destinations!”) and is currently working through the process of getting her Italian citizenship.
She is a native of the Pacific Northwest, having lived in and around the Seattle area for the majority of her life. She loves to cook, attend street festivals, paint (“a lot of butterflies and fairies”) and listen to a wide variety of music “from the 60s to present and all different genres,” she said. “I credit my parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents with instilling music appreciation!”
She also loves spending time with her “pandemic pup,” a Corgi named Hazel she adopted in May 2020. “She is just so silly and cute! I love taking her places, she makes friends with everyone and totally prefers humans over other dogs!”