Karinda Washington

Karinda Washington, a highly experienced public relations professional from Detroit, MI, brings close to 20 years of expertise in developing and executing innovative engagement strategies in both public and private sectors.

During her tenure at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Karinda held several key roles including External Affairs Officer for Operation Allies Welcome, DHS' first Social Impact senior executive, and Chief of Staff at the Office of Partnership and Engagement.

She spearheaded initiatives such as the DHS Loaned Executive Program and the Exemplar training with industry program, demonstrating her visionary leadership and ability to manage multi-million dollar budgets.

Karinda excels in interpersonal communication, enabling her to establish and maintain strong relationships with various stakeholder groups, both internally and externally.

Passionate about community relations, community development, social impact, and corporate social responsibility in urban settings, Karinda is known for her commitment to making a positive difference in the world.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor's Degree in English Written Communication from Eastern Michigan University, a Master's Degree in Communication Public Relations and Organizational Communication from Wayne State University, and a Senior Executive Fellows Certificate from Harvard Kennedy School.

Karinda's career spans roles such as Executive Director of Social Impact, Acting Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement, and External Affairs Specialist at DHS, as well as previous positions at Michigan Legal Services.

Faith, Integrity, Leadership - The Karinda Brand encapsulates her values and approach to her professional endeavors, making her a respected figure in the public relations field.