My name is Katrina Tuggle, my pronouns are she/her/hers, and outside of work I love to spend time and enjoy life with my two daughters and husband, listen to podcasts, and go to the goodwill to find treasures!

My undergrad degree in Ethnic Studies fostered my understanding of systemic racism and how social constructions and representations of race, gender, and class impact our historical and contemporary world. I work for the Office of Equity because I believe in equity and justice for all. I believe that every Washingtonian deserves to be met with dignity and respect. I believe in truth telling, reparations + action for repair. I believe in self-reflection and lifelong learning. I am committed to public service because it allows me to interact, engage and support and realize change community. This work is personal to me because I have seen first-hand how racism controls narratives, bars access to opportunities, causes life-altering devastation, loss and even death. Our youth, families and communities are filled with greatness, strength, and brilliance. They hold the answers to our liberation, and we must embed anti-racism into all power structures.

I am a Pro Equity Consultant for the Office of Equity. This position provides me with the opportunity to partner with state agencies to offer support to implement PEAR strategic plans for agencies within the enterprise. One of my superpowers is my passion for justice, equity, belonging. I believe that our communities have the answers to challenge and dismantle systemic racism. My experience as an educator in public schools for 12 years will support pro-equity anti racism work because I have experience embedding pro-equity tools, resources, and professional development. I believe in sharing power and building relationships by using a strength-based model and asset lens. I relate well to people from a wide variety of circumstances and backgrounds. I empathize, recognize ideas, offer a solution-based approach to solving problems.

I commit to make a difference for my fellow Washingtonians in 2023 by providing consultation and collaboration to support personal and organizational change. I will work with my teammates to develop and implement systems to support agencies to build and strengthen PEAR teams and strategic action plans and ensure equity is embedded into existing systems, structures, and policies. To ensure effectiveness I will use evaluation tools, seek feedback, and make changes as needed. When outcomes are not what we desire I will collaborate with teammates and agencies to re-strategize and re-organize to meet the needs of Washingtonians. I will know that my work at the Office of Equity is making a difference for Washingtonians when community members and enterprise staff feel as they belong, their voice and experience is validated, and action is taken, and decisions are made through shared power and decision-making.

I served as a public-school educator for 12 years in multi-ethnic and historically marginalized communities. I pursued a career in education to challenge false narratives, build relationships and share power with students, families, and community. I used my position of power to challenge systemic racism and embed pro-equity in school structures, policies, and practices. A passion and guiding light for me was to ensure that families and students were met with dignity and respect. I used my position of power to strengthen school/home relationships by amplifying families’ voices and decision-making power and uplifting the assets, strengths, and gifts that our students, families and surrounding community possessed. I led professional development at my school to examine our role of upholding systemic racism and examining our position of power and how this impacts students’ educational, social, and emotional outcomes.

My vision for a just and equitable future for Washingtonians is a place where you feel like you belong and that you can trust that you can show up in every space as your true self. A place where you are free to travel, engage and navigate every space and place of Washington without fear.