Rose Gundersen, State and Local Government Affairs Associate, retired from the Washington Retail Association (WR) on June 10, 2026, concluding a distinguished career marked by dedicated service, effective advocacy, and unwavering support for WR members.
Rose joined WR in 2019, initially leading administration of the Workers’ Compensation Retro Program, a safety-focused initiative that rewards participating members for strong workplace practices and loss prevention. Her work quickly expanded as she became a trusted resource to members navigating complex systems and compliance requirements.
In 2025, Rose transitioned to the Government Affairs team, where she broadened her focus to employment law, workforce policy, and emerging regulatory issues impacting retailers statewide. Her deep understanding of labor standards was informed by a diverse professional background spanning insurance, banking, entrepreneurship in both nonprofit and private sectors, and her prior role as Small Business Liaison Manager at the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
Rose also played a key role in advancing WR’s Retail Workforce Initiative, grounded in the association’s Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion principles, helping elevate awareness of retail as a meaningful career pathway.
A bilingual professional raised in Hong Kong, Rose brought a global perspective and strong community commitment to her work, including volunteer service with youth and refugee support organizations.
WR extends its appreciation for her years of dedicated service and wishes her the very best in retirement.
