Staff

As Freedom Project’s Executive Director, David works with the board, development teams, and builds collaborations with other organizations. He also coordinates marketing (social media, video production) and Reentry programming. He has a natural passion for people and loves to see others grow to potential. He brings his creative energy and enthusiasm for the mission to build connections, community and collaboration. “Team work makes the dream work!” David is a Credible Messenger, founding member of Inside Out Toastmaster reentry club, and a popular keynote speaker.

david@freedomprojectwa.org

Joanie coordinates Freedom Project’s prison programs through the Department of Corrections and in collaboration with our dedicated team of volunteers and mentors. She aims to support the variety of needs of the community members integral to Freedom Project’s work – including class participants, inside mentors/facilitators, folks returning to the community from incarceration, and those who volunteer their time on the inside/outside. Joanie has a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Washington.

joanie@freedomprojectwa.org

As Development Director, Karen works collaboratively with Freedom Project staff to develop long-term strategies for funding sustainability. Prior to working at the Freedom Project, Karen spent the past ten years connecting women and men to educational, apprenticeship, and basic needs resources as they transitioned out of incarceration. Outside of her work with Freedom Project, Karen enjoys her work as a facilitator in Pierce County for the Community Partnership Transition Solutions hub. She also is currently a Graduate Student at Western Washington University studying Adult Higher Education with an eye to working on ways to reduce the cycle of the School to Prison Pipeline.

karen@freedomprojectwa.org

Kiki manages day-to-day operations and works to build a strong foundation of clarity and collaborative systems upon which Freedom Project can grow further into its mission. She brings over 20 years experience in business management, organizational development and personal growth, as well as a rich meditation practice of over 15 years. Kiki has a Bachelor’s Degree with High Honors in American Studies from Smith College.

kirsten@freedomprojectwa.org

Rusty supports volunteer orientations and trains volunteers for both inside prison programs and office volunteers. Rusty is also the Community Circle/Seattle Facilitator and is passionate about providing Nonviolent Communication and mindfulness training to Freedom Project Volunteers. Rusty’s biggest life resource is his regular meditation and living Nonviolent Communication. Rusty holds a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in psychology, spirituality from Antioch University, Seattle. Along with Lucy Leu, Rusty is the co-founder of Freedom Project.

rusty@freedomprojectwa.org