Experience

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  Antioch University Seattle

  • 2326 6th Ave, Seattle WA

  • Director of Urban Environmental Leadership and Diversity

    • Feb 2014 - Present
    • 2326 6th Ave, Seattle WA

    Ron Harris-White is Director of Urban Environmental Leadership and Diversity. His responsibilities include the promotion of environmental educational and cultural enrichment programming and activities for students, while at the same time, increasing cross-cultural understanding for the total University and surrounding communities. Ron researches best practices in diversity initiatives and uses those findings to inform decisions. He develops unique programs and communications strategies to promote diversity, and assesses the outcomes of those initiatives with a particular focus on their impact as related to recruitment and retention. As it relates to community outreach, Ron builds authentic and collaborative working relationships with external diverse communities and stakeholders; works with Academic Affairs and external community members to increase access and inclusion in programs and activities for students from underserved populations. Ron co-authored a chapter on social justice in “Government is us, 2.0.” http://www.amazon.com/Government-2-0-Cheryl-Simrell-King/dp/0765625024 Ron coordinates cultural awareness programs and assists in the implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives for the campus community. Ron manages outreach to local and regional leaders, businesses, individuals and groups within diverse cultures. Ron teaches classes on reconciliation, strategic thinking and community building. He co-manages “Morethana Farm,” an innovation-based permaculture farm in rural King County: http://morethanafarm.wordpress.com/ Ron helped establish Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative and Seattle Parks Urban Food System program.

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  Harris-White Consulting

  • Seattle

  • Environmental Justice Strategic Advisor & Principal

    • Jan 2012 - Present
    • Seattle

    Mission: Harris-White Consulting is a social action services firm based in Seattle, Washington. Its mission is to provide inclusive leadership, environmental justice and community building design and application for actors involved in the social justice movement.

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  Seattle Public Utilities

  • City of Seattle

  • Policy and Performance Management Advisor

    • Jul 2012 - Jan 2013
    • City of Seattle

    Ron Harris-White was Policy and Performance Management Advisor for Seattle Public Utilities, Customer Service Branch.Ron provides critical strategic planning, policy analysis, and evaluates the Branch’s performance and budget management processes. He works with his colleagues to achieve the Branch strategic framework goals including productivity and efficiency improvements.Ron has more than fourteen years of management, analytic and strategic planning experience in City of Seattle government. Ron has been a Strategic Advisor for various City agencies including SPU’s Community Relations Development, Seattle Parks & Recreation, Office of Sustainability and Environment, and the Office of Civil Rights on topics ranging from water conservation to organizational learning. Ron also held the position of Budget Analyst for New York City’s Office of Management and Budget. Prior to moving to Seattle, Ron and his wife published community newspapers in Hawaii. Ron’s achievements include earning two Masters Degrees, one in Public Administration and the other in Theology. Ron enjoys spending time with his wife of more than 30 years, Paula, their three children, and four grandchildren. One of Ron’s favorite past times is urban gardening and environmental justice advocacy. He is a native of New York City and has called Seattle his home for the last 15 years.

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  CCEJ - Community Coalition for Environmental Justice

  • Seattle, Washington

  • Acting Executive Director

    • Jun 2012 - Jul 2012
    • Seattle, Washington

    Ron Harris-White selected to Lead CCEJ - Community Coalition for Environmental JusticeRon Harris-White has been selected to serve as acting executive director for CCEJ - Community Coalition for Environmental Justice http://www.ccej.org/ Environmental justice, or EJ, means that low-income people and people of color have equal access to environmental quality and services and that they are equally represented in environmental, land-use, regulation and community development planning projects.Ron assumed the position of Acting Executive Director (Strategic Advisor/Fund Developer) for CCEJ effective June 3, 2012. Ron will develop strategic and fundraising plan with feedback from CCEJ board/staff. Ron will also implement plans with assistance from CCEJ board/staff. Harris-White has worked on issues involving environmental and social justice for more than thirty- years. Ron and his wife published community newspapers in Hawaii. Ron has worked at the Office of Civil Rights while assisting in crafting the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative. Harris-White led the development of the Parks Urban Food System team and he worked with Seattle Tilth to establish of two (2) Seattle urban farms. http://unitedpeoplesfarm.wordpress.com/ and http://seattletilth.org/about/rainier-beach-urban-farm-wetlandsCCEJ's mission is to achieve environmental and economic justice in low-income communities and communities of color. CCEJ believes that everyone, regardless of race or income, has the right to a clean and healthy community.CCEJ wins with community organizing, education, political advocacy and coalition building.

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  City of Seattle

  • United States
  • Government Administration
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Strategic Advisor/Special Projects Manager

    • Jan 2001 - Jan 2012

    Managed strategic community development projects including: Seattle Mayor's Inter-departmental Clean & Green Seattle initiative; Race and Social Justice Initiative presentations to other jurisdictions2006 and 2007 Combined Charities CampaignsPaperCuts campaignDeveloped and managed inclusive outreach campaigns Developed and managed Organizational Learning SystemDeveloped and managed multi-media branding campaigns Developed and managed television campaigns Developed and managed public speaking seriesPrepared speaking points for high level elected officials and policymakers

  • Public Policy Strategic Advisor

    • Nov 1997 - Jan 2012

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  National Urban Fellows

  • Alum

    • 1991 - 2012

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  Seattle Public Utilities

  • Strategic Advisor

    • Nov 1997 - Dec 2011

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  2009- 2010 City of Seattle Public Utilities

  • Strategic Advisor

    • Nov 2008 - Nov 2009

    Strategic Advisor Corporate Policy & PerformanceDeveloped City utilities policy and procedures 2007; Climate Action Now Grassroots Coordinator (Out of Class Assignment)Managed community development of Seattle Climate Action Now

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  Rainbow Bridge Consultants

  • Small Business Consultant/Publisher/Writer/Television Producer

    • Jan 1987 - Jan 1997

    Owned and operated two (2) community newspapers;Developed public relations campaignsProduced television programs and commercialsManaged the Hawaii Island Contractors' Association where I developed policies and managed state and county lobbying effortsUniversity of Hawai`i at Hilo - Developed and implemented a strategic communications plan for the university as the Director of Marketing

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  N.Y.C. Office of the Comptroller

  • Special Assistant to the Comptroller

    • Jan 1990 - Jan 1991

    Conducted a management systems review of the office of contractsConducted a statistical analysis police crime picture

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  Mayor

  • New York City Office of Management and Budget

  • Budget Analyst

    • Jan 1983 - Jan 1985
    • New York City Office of Management and Budget

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  Police Patrol

  • New York City Transit Police

  • Police Officer

    • May 1974 - May 1980
    • New York City Transit Police

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  City of New York

  • Greater New York City Area

  • Senior Budget Analyst

    • Jan 1974 - Jan 1980
    • Greater New York City Area

    Managed research on police/fire/building budgetary issuesMonitored department expense and capital budgetsPrepared annual reports