Sharone Navas is a nationally recognized nonprofit executive, racial equity advocate, and coalition-builder with more than 30 years of experience driving systemic change in education and public policy.

A trusted leader across government, philanthropy, and community organizations, she is known for building durable partnerships, scaling organizations, and advancing equity-focused strategies that deliver measurable impact. 

Sharone is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Equity in Education Coalition (EEC), Washington State’s only statewide public policy and advocacy organization focused on advancing racial equity in education. Under her leadership, the Coalition grew from a 10-person collective to a multimillion-dollar, statewide powerhouse engaging over 150 organizations, 50 state agencies, and 40,000 parents and students. She has successfully shaped and passed 15 omnibus education equity bills in the Washington State Legislature, helping secure over $900 million in public investment for historically underserved students.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sharone led EEC’s transformation into a rapid response hub, distributing over 64,000 laptops, 150,000 headsets, and $5 million in food assistance. Leveraging these operational efforts, she secured a $22 million public grant to build a digital equity pipeline that continues to provide access to underserved communities. These achievements highlight her ability to align urgent operational needs with long-term systemic change.

Sharone brings more than 15 years of expertise in educational equity, educational policy, and school funding systems—both in Washington State and nationally.

She has formal training in education policy and finance through Georgetown University’s Education Finance Certification, the Education Trust’s ESSA Bootcamp, and the Aspen Institute SOAR Fellowship, as well as executive education programs at Harvard Kennedy School. This blend of academic training and lived policy experience allows her to navigate the intersections of funding formulas, equity agendas, and advocacy with fluency and political acumen.

Her leadership extends into governance and philanthropy. She serves as a gubernatorial appointee on the Green River College Board of Trustees, providing fiduciary oversight, presidential selection, and strategic guidance for the institution. She has also served on multiple boards and commissions, including the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs, advising governors and legislators on policies impacting the Latine community.

A skilled fundraiser, Sharone has cultivated major donors, secured multi-year public and philanthropic grants, and grew organizational revenue by 3900% in just three years at EEC. She is also a compelling public speaker, media contributor, and advocate, fluent in both Spanish and English, and known for amplifying the voices of BIPOC communities with clarity and conviction.Sharone’s personal and professional journey reflects her deep commitment to equity. A proud Latina who has lived in Central America, she brings cultural fluency, lived experience, and unwavering dedication to uplifting marginalized communities..

Throughout her career, Sharone has remained guided by a belief in the brilliance and potential of every student. She is a visionary, pragmatic leader who blends strategic acumen with authentic partnership—always working toward systems that ensure all children thrive.