Co-Founder & Executive Director
She/her
Sharonne Navas is the first American-born child of immigrant parents from Guatemala and El Salvador, giving her a deep appreciation for the complexities of being multilingual and multicultural in America.
A native New Yorker, she relocated to the Seattle area in 2009 and has since dedicated herself to advocacy, education, and community engagement. With a career spanning nonprofit leadership, policy advocacy, and community organizing, Sharonne has held key roles, including Executive Director of Para Los Niños, Deputy Executive Director of Ayuda, Inc., and Assistant Director of Development for NARAL Pro-Choice America. She has also worked with organizations such as Stand for Children and the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, demonstrating her commitment to social justice and equity.
Recognized for her leadership, Sharonne was appointed Commissioner for the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs in 2010. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Green River College and the Board of the Low Income Housing Alliance Action Fund. She is also a member of the Washington State Attorney General’s Task Force on Domestic Terrorism and Mass Violence.
A passionate advocate for education and equity, Sharonne successfully championed a $900 million investment into Washington State’s Learning Assistance Program, ensuring better support for students facing systemic barriers. Additionally, in response to the digital divide exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, she created Washington State’s Digital Navigation program to expand digital equity and access for underserved communities.
Committed to leadership development, Sharonne is a graduate of the Emerge Washington Women in Politics Training program. She has also been actively involved in initiatives such as Thrive by Five’s racial equity cohort, the Washington State Education Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee, and the Road Map Project of CCER.
She holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology from St. John’s University, along with certifications in School Funding and Finance from Georgetown University and Public Policy, Behavioral Science in Policy, and Education Finance from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Beyond her professional commitments, Sharonne enjoys exploring Washington’s vibrant food and wine scene with her husband, Steve, and their beloved tweenie dachshunds, Manny and Porter — with three more doxies coming in the Spring of 2025!