Associate Professor, Department Chair, Faculty Director
(425) 739-8100 x8775
Allied Health, A210C
Ren’ee Mangini has worked in and human resources for over 30 years and is currently consulting, speaking, and instructing in all functional areas of HR and organizational development. She is the Principle of HR Management & Organizational Development. Her services offer practical solutions for business effectiveness. She is recognized for excellence in design and facilitation of training and speaking on various topics using an efficient, interactive, informative, fun, and user-friendly strategy. She is known for building and leading award-winning initiatives and teams. Renée’s HR internal roles include Director of HR & Payroll, Corporate Director of HR, Director of HR, Generalist, HR Consultant, and Business Partner. Her extensive experience includes most industries, union and non-union environments, public-sector, private, and nonprofit organizations.
Ren’ee has been certified and instructing in adult training programs for over 25 years. She develops programs, curriculum, and instructs in all functional areas of HR. Ren’ee is the HR Program Department Chair, SHRM Student Chapter advisor, and lead instructor for the HR program at Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech). She manages the HRCI Pre-approved Provider Certification program since 2011 & SHRM-CP&SCP Provider Certification program since 2014 for LWTech. Ren’ee has aligned the curriculum at LWTech to cover the SHRM knowledge block with practical knowledge HR professionals need in work and to study for their certification exams today. Ren’ee converted the LWTech HR Program to a hybrid model that uses case studies and discussions to add flexibility for student’s busy lives. Ren’ee also develops and instructs at Bellevue College Continuing Education Program (online and in person), at Seattle Central Community College, NHRMA and SHRM conferences.
Ren’ee has her Senior Professional in Human Resource (SPHR) and Global Professional in Human Resource (GPHR) designations through the HRCI. She is a Senior Certified Professional though SHRM (SHRM-SCP). Ren’ee has a BS in Business Administration with a specialization in HR Management, Organizational Behavior, and Development and a minor in Business and Professional Communication from CWU. She has done advanced studies in online and classroom instruction from the Slone Institute and developing and instructing online for 10 years.
Adjunct Professor
A Chicago native, Tom graduated with a B.S. from Florida International University. He has worked extensively in hospitality, education and human resources management with the following firms: The Morton Group, Hyatt Hotels, T.A Davis & Associates, Restaurants Unlimited, Inc., Tommy Bahama, City University of Seattle, and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). He currently serves as Co-Chair of SPU’s Diversity Team and as a Strategic Advisor.
Tom has taught in the HR certificate program at the University of Washington and currently teaches HR Management at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. Tom is certified, for life, by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Additionally, Tom holds the designation of Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) from the Society of Human Resource Management.
Tom has actively participated as a volunteer leader with the following organizations: Employment Management Association (now the Staffing Talent Acquisition Collaborative), Site Councils for Einstein Middle School, Highland Terrace Elementary School and Shorewood High School, and as President/Treasurer of his homeowners association.
Tom is married to Keri and has two sons; Taylor, 30, and Max, 21. When Tom is not busy helping to create a highly engaged and productive workplace culture, you’ll find him in the water as he’s an avid scuba diver – regularly diving in the Puget Sound and serving as a volunteer diver with the Seattle Aquarium.
Adjunct Professor
Originally from Long Island New York Sean found his way to the Northwest while serving in the United States Air Force. Before relocating to the Puget Sound area in 2014 he lived in Spokane for over 18 years.
While working full-time as a Network Technician with Qwest Communications (now CenturyLink), Sean earned his Bachelors in Business Administration with a major in Human Resource Management from Eastern Washington University (EWU). Instead of following the more traditional path into HR he became active in his local union, and eventually served seven years as president.
After several years he accepted a position as CenturyLink’s Health Benefits Coordinator and earned his Masters of Public Administration from EWU. Looking for new challenges he moved to western Washington and became the Human Resources Manager for Valley Com 911 in Kent. Sean has sat on numerous boards and commissions and currently serves on the Auburn Airport Advisory Board and Pierce County’s Salary Commission for Elected Officials. He holds his PHR and SHRM-CP certifications.
Sean, his wife Laurie, and their two teenage sons live in Auburn. Sean is a private pilot and enjoys hiking, running, skiing, watching his sons participate in water polo, swimming and wrestling. During the summer they enjoy boating and soaking up the sun at Lake Roosevelt.
Adjunct Professor
Laura Southard (she/her/hers) has been an adjunct instructor in the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Human Resources Program since 2012. Laura worked in the non-profit sector as a community organizer and director, and in the labor movement as the Operations Director with SEIU and also as a Regional Director with the AFL-CIO. In 2006 Laura shifted into Human Resources, joining Seattle Public Utilities as the Employee Training and Development Manager. Over the course of a 14-year career in the public sector, Laura was selected for several HR leadership roles, including Department HR Director, Labor Relations Director and Deputy Director for City Human Resources. Laura is now the principal consultant at Laura Southard Consulting, LLC providing strategic HR services to non-profits and smaller businesses.
Laura received a master’s degree in Human Resources Management in 2010 and is a Senior Professional in HR. (SPHR and SHRM-SCP). Her professional passion is supporting organizations in need of HR “lift” and helping organizations build systems, policies and practices which help create a more equitable and inclusive workplace.
Laura lives on Whidbey Island with her wife and is the Mom of rescue Pup Benji.
Adjunct Professor
Raj Vhan is a life-long learner and has a genuine desire to teach, train and coach individuals. After spending over a decade and a half as a risk manager, he chose to build upon this experience and focus more on people by transitioning into human resources. It is at LWTech that he found the knowledge, career path, and networks necessary for his next chapter. Shortly upon enrollment in the HR Management program at LWTech, Raj sat for and obtained his Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation. Once Raj completed several HR courses at LWTech, he had a desire for additional learning and training. He believes that reports and metrics are the byproduct of culture and communication. Hence, once Raj earned his certificate from LWTech, he applied and was accepted into the Masters in Organizational Leadership program at Gonzaga University. In the Spring of 2020, Raj will graduate with his Master’s degree with a dual concentration in both Change Leadership and Strategic and Organizational Communication.
When Raj is not immersed in human resource work and family life, he is involved in coaching youth sports and training fitness classes. Raj believes that we all have the ability to be our best selves if we approach situations with an open mind, heart and perspective that learning and development is an incremental approach unique to every individual. In Raj’s opinion, effort beats potential every time and a growth mindset is necessary for personal development. Raj is excited to be an Adjunct Professor at LWTech and sees this role as a homecoming and way to give back to the institution and the students it serves. He brings enthusiasm, positive energy and a passion for teaching at LWTech.
Business Hours
Mon-Fri, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Campus Hours
Mon-Thurs, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday, Closed to the public
Sat-Sun, Closed