On January 20, 2021, Karinda Washington was designated Acting Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement. In this role, she leads the coordination of the Department of Homeland Security’s engagement efforts with state, local, tribal, territorial (SLTT) governments, SLTT elected officials, SLTT law enforcement, the private sector, the faith community, and colleges and universities, ensuring a unified approach to external engagement.

Washington served as Office of Partnership and Engagement (OPE) Acting Executive Director for Faith Initiatives and led the establishment of the Faith Based Security Advisory Council from April 2020 to January 2021. She was selected as the first OPE Chief of Staff in October 2017. As Chief of Staff, Washington administers OPE’s multimillion-dollar budget, manages daily operational complexities, provides strategic direction for the DHS Loaned Executive Program and Exemplar training with industry program, advises DHS senior leadership on public-private partnerships, and champions social impact initiatives Department-wide. Prior to these assignments, Washington served as an External Affairs Specialist in the Department’s Private Sector Office.

Before joining the Department, Washington served 10 years and held multiple positions for Michigan Legal Services to help protect homeownership. She continues to advise senior nonprofit organization leaders on how to rebuild and empower local communities in her hometown of Detroit, MI and in Washington, DC.

Washington is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in English: Written Communication and Wayne State University where she received a Master of Arts degree in Communication: Public Relations and Organizational Communication. She is a Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executive Fellows alumna.