We are pleased to welcome the following people to the Washington State Budget & Policy Center board of directors! They join a group of dedicated community leaders, academics, policy experts, and strategists who help shape the direction of our organization.
Irene Basloe Saraf, community advocate
Irene is the founding board president of the Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund, and she also served on the board of the Tenants Union of Washington. Prior to moving to Seattle in 2003, Irene was the legislative director of the National Low Income Housing Coalition in Washington, D.C. Irene has a bachelor’s in humanities from Yale, a master’s in public policy from the University of Chicago, and a juris doctor from New York University. She is especially passionate about how the Budget & Policy Center’s work aligns with her commitment to advocating for the needs of people with low incomes. “I understand how access to stable, safe, and affordable housing supports people in the other aspects of their lives – education, employment, health, family – and that government investment is often necessary to ensure housing quality and affordability for low-income people,” she says. “Our social safety net depends on an equitable budget that includes sufficient taxation and ample investment in programs serving low- and moderate-income people.”
Karan Gill, chief of staff of King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove
In addition to his responsibilities with the King County Council, Karan (“ker-in”) is the lead on budget issues and oversees a variety of other policy issues for the district representing much of South King County. Previously, Karan led the public policy efforts for a local nonprofit, was the legislative aide to Washington State House Speaker Frank Chopp, and was campaign manager for Senator Kevin Van De Wege. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and a Master of Public Administration from Seattle University. “The mission and the work of the Budget & Policy Center is personal to me,” he says. “I was raised in a low-income household in South King County and witnessed first-hand many of the inequities that families face in our community. With that perspective, I have been fortunate to work on the state and local side of public policy to help advance policies through an equity and social justice lens.” Karan, who previously served on our community advisory board, is dedicated to undoing racial disparities in public institutions and fighting for more resources for those communities who are furthest from opportunity.
Jan Harrison, director of diversity stewardship and Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation liaison, University of Washington
Jan has been with the University of Washington for more than 10 years. In her current role, she works to build healthy and productive communities and organizations through the application of critical race theory and impact-driven philanthropy. She also serves as a liaison for Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation, an organization that supports graduate education in science, engineering, and medical research. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Western Washington University and a master’s in cultural studies from UW. She is excited about helping the Budget & Policy Center serve the needs of populations who have historically faced barriers to opportunity through innovative, data-driven policies. “Economic, education, health care, and social inequities aren’t random, but are the outcomes of race-based oppressions embedded in policy and budget decisions,” she says. “As a race scholar, community activist, and Black American woman, I have unique perspectives on social areas concerning fiscal allocations and policy development that have been under-emphasized and under-utilized.”
Lauren Hipp, early learning senior campaign director for MomsRising
In her role at MomsRising, Lauren works to advance the organization’s commitment to ensuring all families have access to affordable, high-quality early care and education opportunities that are welcoming and inclusive, and that create environments where all children can thrive. She has almost 10 years of experience in the early learning field doing policy, advocacy and organizing, and program implementation in both Washington state and nationally. She has previously worked with Thrive by Five Washington, the League of Education Voters, and the University of Washington. She has a Master of Public Administration from the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington. She looks forward to supporting our organization’s work on increasing opportunity and prosperity for all families in Washington, including our focus on racial justice. “I believe in the mission and guiding values of the organization and deeply appreciate the analysis and focus on budget and tax policy to ensure Washington is budgeting with a centering on families and communities,” she says.
