FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Eme Crawford, eme@stateinnovation.org
Date: June 9, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — State Innovation Exchange (SiX) and SiX Action proudly announce that Eliseo (EJ) Juárez has been named their new executive director. Juárez, a nationally respected leader in equity-driven public policy, nonprofit transformation, and collaborative partnerships, joins SiX as it enters its second decade of advancing progressive state leadership.
Juárez brings nearly 20 years of experience across government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. Most recently, he served as Director of Equity, Environmental Justice, and Civil Rights at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, where he led the country’s first statewide equity and environmental justice initiative, managing more than $140 million annually in community benefit investments.
“EJ Juarez’s career has been dedicated to advancing justice through strategy, movement-building, and accountable leadership. We are thrilled to welcome him to SiX as we expand our work to support state legislators driving collaborative, people-powered governance,” said Sarah Johnson, SiX board chair.
“EJ’s pragmatic leadership, shaped by his experience in both government agencies and the nonprofit sector, is exactly what SiX needs at this pivotal moment,” said Liz Dupee, SiX Action board chair. “As public trust in collaborative governance and democratic values faces challenges, EJ brings a grounded, visionary approach to advancing justice and equity. His deep alignment with SiX’s mission and his broad, cross-sector expertise uniquely position him to shepherd this work with purpose and impact.”
Previously, Juárez led major civic and political advocacy efforts, including as executive director of Progressive Majority and ColorPAC, where he built multiracial coalitions, expanded candidate training programs, and restructured national political organizations for long-term sustainability. He has also held senior roles at the Inatai Foundation and the Seattle Public Library, among others.
“SiX is uniquely positioned to support the leaders shaping a future rooted in racial, gender, social, and economic justice,” said EJ Juárez, SiX executive director. “I’m honored to join the team and ready to help scale our impact at a time when state leadership has never been more urgent.”
Founded in 2014, State Innovation Exchange (SiX) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances progressive governance by supporting state legislators and building collaborative partnerships with advocates and grassroots organizations. Its 501(c)(4) sister organization, SiX Action, advances aligned advocacy work.
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