To support the ED’s efforts to elevate and address the educational needs of students in foster care, students experiencing homelessness, and those involved with the juvenile justice system. My work focuses on aligning policy, funding, and program priorities across special populations. I am responsible for external engagements, partnerships, and collaboration with other key federal agencies including, the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Department of Justice.

• Support the design and implementation of the Foundation’s grantmaking strategy in the following areas: adolescent learning and development; high school redesign; performance assessment systems; alternative education; college, career and civic readiness; college access and success and systems-involved youth.• Serve as a conduit between national and local funders to build relationships and opportunities for collective understanding and action.• Established the California College Pathways Funder Alliance, a funder collaborative that has helped secure ongoing public resources that support foster youth to and through college.

• Worked with legislators to develop progressive legislation, including a state-funded scholarship for systems-involved students and a ground-breaking data exchange between Children’s Administration, Washington Student Achievement Council and school districts.• Led statewide policy implementation efforts, providing professional development, technical assistance and training to over 1,000 K-12, higher education and public agency professionals annually. • Developed a peer mentoring program to support 500 college students annually.

• Managed programming for girls with incarcerated parents, ages 5 – 18.• Developed first of its kind education rights holder training for incarcerated parents.• In partnership with Seattle Police Department, co-designed and launched the IF Project, a healing and reconciliation program for incarcerated parents and their children.

Grant Administrator 2004 – 2006• Built long-term partnerships between public service agencies, community organizations, lead education agencies and postsecondary institutions to establish a strong college and career pipeline for systems-involved students. • Implemented a new federal scholarship program and an academic mentoring program. Case Manager 2003 – 2004• Developed college and career readiness curriculum and tools, based on the person-centered planning approach, to support systems-involved students to and through postsecondary education and training.• Provided individualized support to students, ages 15 – 21, with special educational needs. Family Support Specialist 2002 – 2003• Served as education advocate and liaison between families, schools and social workers in twelve school districts.• Connected underserved families with children and youth, ages 5 –18, to resources and support services in King County.