Ej Juárez

About Ej Juárez

EJ Juárez brings deep experience in advancing equity, strengthening community power, and transforming systems to his role as Executive Director of State Innovation Exchange (SiX).Before joining SiX, EJ served as Director of Equity, Environmental Justice, and Civil Rights at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. There, he led one of the first state-level divisions in the country focused on embedding environmental justice into public policy and government decision-making. His leadership helped shape groundbreaking programs that center frontline communities in environmental governance.Previously, EJ was the Public Policy Manager at Group Health Foundation (now Inatai Foundation), where he worked alongside communities to advance health equity and build power. He also managed the Foundation’s public policy team and oversaw a place-based grantmaking portfolio dedicated to community-led initiatives.EJ has a long record of reimagining how public institutions engage with people. At the Seattle Public Library, he transformed the role of Community Partnerships and Government Relations Manager to deepen the library’s commitment to racial equity, strengthen partnerships, and expand access to programs. He also led the library’s intergovernmental affairs work and helped shape its internal culture.EJ’s leadership in politics and advocacy includes serving as Executive Director of Amplify/ColorPAC, where he led the merger of two organizations into the Pacific Northwest’s largest initiative focused on recruiting, training, and electing progressive local and state candidates. Earlier in his career, he worked community relations for Solid Ground, Washington’s largest anti-poverty organization.EJ’s experience as a campaign manager and consultant spans local and national races, as well as ballot initiatives focused on education and equity. He’s also been appointed to state commissions on Hispanic Affairs and Judicial Conduct, and currently serves on the Executive Boards of SEIU 775 Benefits Group, OneAmerica Votes, and Washington Conservation Action.A graduate of Saint Martin’s University, EJ launched the school’s first Student Health Center and later served on its Board of Trustees and was named Distinguished Alumnus in 2016. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Washington–Bothell, where he was later inducted into the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences Hall of Excellence.Throughout his career, EJ has been committed to centering community voice, shifting power, and building a future rooted in justice and collaboration.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   State Innovation Exchange

   Jun 2025 — Present

Education

• Saint Martin's University

  Community Services, Family and Community Services

  2005 — 2008

• University of Washington Bothell

  Master of Arts (M.A.) Cultural Studies

  2011 — 2013

Skills

• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Policy
• Non-Profits
• Grants
• Coalitions
• Fundraising
• Human Rights
• Strategic Communications
• Nonprofits
• Research
• Public Policy
• Social Justice
• Leadership Development
• Young People
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Social Media
• Volunteer Management
• Youth Development
• Program Evaluation
• Event Planning
• Community Organizing
• Program Development
• Policy Analysis
• Grassroots Organizing
• Politics
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Legislative Relations
• Non-Profit Administration
• Political Campaigns
• Philanthropy