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Karinda Washington
Executive Director, Social Impact & Campaigns (Senior Executive Service) at U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Karinda L. Washington is the Executive Director of Social Impact and Campaigns (Senior Executive Service) at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.12 She is a Detroit native and Wayne State University graduate who has made significant strides in her career at DHS.1
Career Highlights
- Joined the Senior Executive Service on May 23, 2021, as Executive Director, Social Impact and Campaigns.1
- Leads DHS's community engagement efforts, focusing on creating opportunities for underserved and underrepresented communities.12
- Oversees the Department's Blue Campaign to combat human trafficking and the "If You See Something, Say Something®" public awareness campaign.1
- Served as External Affairs Officer and Private Sector Lead for Operation Allies Welcome, helping resettle over 85,000 vulnerable Afghans in the United States.12
- Previously held positions such as Acting Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement and Chief of Staff in the Office of Partnership and Engagement.2
Background and Education
- Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan.12
- Graduated from Detroit Public Schools' Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School.1
- Earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English: Written Communication from Eastern Michigan University.12
- Obtained a Master of Arts degree in Communication: Public Relations and Organizational Communication from Wayne State University.12
- Alumna of the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executive Fellows program.12
Professional Experience
Before joining DHS, Washington worked for 10 years at Michigan Legal Services, protecting homeownership and advancing affordable housing initiatives.1 She has nearly 20 years of experience in designing and implementing creative engagement processes and programs within the public and private sectors.2
Washington is also the founder and keynote speaker at Dash Worthy, LLC®, a management consultant firm focused on public-private partnerships, corporate social responsibility, and philanthropy.1


