Washington’s First Equity Director Fired by Governor Inslee’s Office

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee speaks to reporters in Seattle on March 16, 2020. Elaine Thompson/Pool/Getty Images

Governor Jay Inslee’s administration has fired Washington’s first Office of Equity director, Dr. Karen A. Johnson.

Johnson’s last day was Wednesday after being appointed by Governor Inslee in March of 2021 to help promote equity in state government.

According to the governor’s office, Jonson’s firing comes after concerns over a lack of stability and budgetary concerns.

“The office has experienced a lack of stability in agency operations and the work environment, including high vacancy rates, high employee turnover, and budgetary concerns,” Mike Faulk, Press Secretary for the Governor’s Office, said in an email statement to local King5 news. “We remain committed to the work and the success of this office moving forward. We determined this will require new leadership.”

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee and other leaders speak to the press in Seattle, Wash., on March 28, 2020. Karen Ducey/Getty Images

Faulk added that Johnson “was provided the opportunity to resign and chose separation instead.”

“She launched this groundbreaking office and contributed greatly to starting this important work,” Faulk said in a statement. “We remain committed to the work and the success of this office moving forward. We determined this will require new leadership.”

In an interview with local KING 5 news, where her firing was first reported on Monday, Johnson told the outlet that she was not aware of Faulk’s concerns and that her office was planning to hold public agencies accountable if they failed to make equity a priority.

Faulk states that Johnson’s departure had nothing to do with her plan to hold the agencies accountable.

“The governor has been incredibly supportive of the Office of Equity’s work,” Faulk said in an email statement. “The next director will be expected to provide accountability, implement the governor’s executive orders on equity, and help agencies reduce disparities. We want the Office of Equity to be an effective and transformative force in government.”

Inslee signed legislation creating the office in April 2020, and at the time of her appointment, Johnson was the equity and inclusion administrator for the state Department of Corrections.

“Governor Inslee has boldly announced Washington’s historic commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, and I am excited to join his team at this time,” Johnson said in a statement at the time. “We will work to develop a new state culture that centers equity in all of its work and provides all Washingtonians with an opportunity to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

The Office of Equity was set up to examine all state facets through the equity guidelines.

“The Washington State Office of Equity exists to facilitate policy and systems change to promote equitable policies, practices, and outcomes to streamline our service delivery and improve the customer experience through, Agency decision making, Community involvement, Technical assistance and training to agencies, Maintaining data and establishing performance metrics, and Accountability,” according to the office’s website.

Inslee’s Chief of Staff Jamila Thomas thanked Johnson for her work and said the equity office remains a priority for the governor’s office.

“We’ve seen how important this agency’s work is and how we all play a role in achieving our shared goal of helping everyone in Washington flourish and achieve their full potential. I applaud your leadership and commitment to ensuring we center equity across the enterprise,” Thomas said. “We all have a responsibility to promote access to equitable opportunities and resources that will reduce disparities and improve outcomes for all Washingtonians.”

Johnson told MyNorthwest that the office needs new leadership going forward and only wants the best for the office to continue its work in the name of equity.

“I am blessed that I got to do this job, and I stand by what I did, and I stand by the community that I was trying to help in my tenure at the Office of Equity,” Johnson said. “I would hope that [Gov. Inslee] continues to provide employees across the state the opportunities that they deserve and continue the work of accountability to make everyone’s lives better.”