Sharonne Navas

About Sharonne Navas

I build things that weren’t built for us—policy agendas, coalitions, digital equity infrastructures, mutual aid networks, and sometimes entire organizations. I’ve spent 30+ years fighting for racial, economic, and educational justice—often inside systems that weren’t designed for equity, transparency, or joy.I co-founded and led the Equity in Education Coalition, Washington’s only statewide racial equity advocacy org focused on public education. I’ve helped pass laws, move millions in public investments, and distribute tens of thousands of laptops during a pandemic. I’ve testified, fundraised, drafted legislation, built pipelines, and burned out (once or twice—but who hasn’t?).I’m a policy wonk with people skills, a strategist who thinks in systems and stories, and a coalition-builder who believes trust is a renewable resource—if you tend it well. I speak Spanish, sarcasm, and the subtle dialect of foundation-speak. I do not believe in incrementalism unless it’s how we’re measuring harm reduction.I thrive in complexity and have a high tolerance for chaos—which may explain why I share my home (and often my lap) with five dachshunds. Herding them is not unlike managing a coalition: messy, loud, and occasionally absurd—but always worth it.Always looking for the next big fight that needs equal parts policy fluency, executive leadership, and righteous indignation (ideally with a decent benefits package).I can be someone\'s cup of tea. I am someone\'s shot of tequila. Either way, I\'ll bring the food - and it will be delicious!Let’s talk if you want to build something brave.

Experience

1. Co-founder & Executive Director

   Equity In Education Center

   Aug 2012 — Present

   The Equity in Education Coalition is a state wide coalition that is looking at a more targeted and comprehensive approach to improve educational achievement and growth as well as closing the Opportunity gap throughout the State of Washington.As a Coalition representative of communities of color and low-income communities, we are taking a strategic approach to closing the Opportunity Gap that takes into account the effects of race, homelessness, racial and institutional discrimination, children and parents whose first language is not English, poverty, and family instability.

Education

• Georgetown University

  Certification, Education Finance

  2019 — 2019

• St. John's University

  BA/BS, Psychology and Sociology

  1993 — 1997

Skills

• Program Evaluation
• Press Releases
• Event Planning
• Policy Analysis
• Grant Writing
• Leadership
• Public Speaking
• Community Organizing
• Program Development
• Team Building
• Research
• Courageous Conversations About Race and Equity
• Organizational Development
• Public Relations
• Collaborative Leadership
• Program Management
• Public Policy
• Policy
• Training
• Staff Development
• Event Management
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Non-Profit Administration
• Facilitation
• Non-Profits
• Nonprofit Management
• Strategic Planning
• Leadership Development
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Fundraising
• Community Engagement
• Proposal Writing
• Grants
• Spanish
• Workshop Facilitation
• Philanthropy
• Board Development
• Undoing Institutional Racism
• Community Outreach