Elevating Cougs is a collaborative effort jointly organized by WSU HRS Learning & Organizational Development (LOD) and Modernization. Since 2023, these two teams have worked together to envision and bring to life this unique development event for WSU employees.
Learn more about the conference organizers below!
Learning & Organizational Development
Ariana McDonnell
Learning & Organizational Development
Ariana is proud to be part of the third generation of WSU employees, having started her journey here in 2020.
Building on that legacy, she combines creativity and strategic insight to design and evaluate dynamic learning experiences. In her role as a Learning & Organizational Development Consultant, Ariana is passionate about advancing a culture of continuous learning and supporting professional growth. She has greatly enjoyed developing her skills through collaboration with talented colleagues across the WSU system and contributing to projects like Elevating Cougs.
When she’s not in the office, Ariana loves to spend time with her husband and son, gardening and crafting, and snuggling with her cat Petite.
Ariana is proud to be part of the third generation of WSU employees, having started her journey here in 2020.
Building on that legacy, she combines creativity and strategic insight to design and evaluate dynamic learning experiences. In her role as a Learning & Organizational Development Consultant, Ariana is passionate about advancing a culture of continuous learning and supporting professional growth. She has greatly enjoyed developing her skills through collaboration with talented colleagues across the WSU system and contributing to projects like Elevating Cougs.
When she’s not in the office, Ariana loves to spend time with her husband and son, gardening and crafting, and snuggling with her cat Petite.
Carey Musburger
Learning & Organizational Development
Carey joined WSU’s Learning and Organizational Development team in August 2023, bringing over 25 years of experience in customer service and 10 years in management across a range of industries.
Her diverse background spans training, change management, and coaching in fields such as periodontics, consumer banking, local government, finance administration, treasury, and recreation.
Carey is also well-versed in providing support and guidance for websites and apps, combining technical know-how with a passion for helping others.
Her varied expertise makes her a valuable asset to the team, dedicated to fostering growth and development at every level.
Carey joined WSU’s Learning and Organizational Development team in August 2023, bringing over 25 years of experience in customer service and 10 years in management across a range of industries.
Her diverse background spans training, change management, and coaching in fields such as periodontics, consumer banking, local government, finance administration, treasury, and recreation.
Carey is also well-versed in providing support and guidance for websites and apps, combining technical know-how with a passion for helping others.
Her varied expertise makes her a valuable asset to the team, dedicated to fostering growth and development at every level.
Modernization
Paul Fleming-McCullagh
Modernization
Paul has been part of WSU and Modernization since the start of the Workday project in 2017 (time flies!). During this time, a guiding principle has been to make work life a little less stressful for everyone, especially when it comes to making it easier to access and understand the information people need.
Central to this principle, and Paul’s proudest project at WSU, is Elevating Cougs.
When his laptop’s off and he’s not working, Paul relaxes with family, their black labs, and his fountain pens.
Paul has been part of WSU and Modernization since the start of the Workday project in 2017 (time flies!). During this time, a guiding principle has been to make work life a little less stressful for everyone, especially when it comes to making it easier to access and understand the information people need.
Central to this principle, and Paul’s proudest project at WSU, is Elevating Cougs.
When his laptop’s off and he’s not working, Paul relaxes with family, their black labs, and his fountain pens.
Emily Akin
Modernization
Emily has served the WSU community since 2017, and the Modernization Team since 2019.
She brings a passion for helping the WSU community navigate both the exciting and challenging aspects of adopting new technologies and ways of working to her role as Change Management Communications Coordinator.
For the past three years, Emily has greatly enjoyed bringing this same dedication to the Elevating Cougs conference.
A born-and-raised Pacific Northwesterner, Emily can also be found enjoying the outdoors with friends and family, fly fishing on the Clearwater, and spending time with her whippet dog, Oona.
Emily has served the WSU community since 2017, and the Modernization Team since 2019.
She brings a passion for helping the WSU community navigate both the exciting and challenging aspects of adopting new technologies and ways of working to her role as Change Management Communications Coordinator.
For the past three years, Emily has greatly enjoyed bringing this same dedication to the Elevating Cougs conference.
A born-and-raised Pacific Northwesterner, Emily can also be found enjoying the outdoors with friends and family, fly fishing on the Clearwater, and spending time with her whippet dog, Oona.
Elevating Cougs Planning Committee
The Elevating Cougs Planning Committee connects the Elevating Cougs team with departments across the university, acting as community liaisons and providing recommendations for conference topics, sessions, and more.
2025 Committee members:
- Danielle Desormier, WSU Spokane – College of Nursing
- Adam Williams, College of Veterinary Medicine
- Robin Stanco, Finance and Administration
- Kat Odell, CAHNRS
- Karen Ito, WSU Vancouver – Human Resources
- Kelly Gabel, WSU Tri-Cities – Advancement and Community Engagement
- Jana Lunstad, WSU Tri-Cities, Academic and Student Affairs
