Janae Teal

I was raised in a working-class family; immersed in multi-generational trauma. I was exposed to the realities of social inequalities from a young age. For as long as I can remember, I have been committed to bettering the social situations of those around me.

I am a first-generation college graduate with a Master’s Degree in Sociology. I have professional experience in everything from elder justice and rural elder abuse prevention to gender justice and understanding how gender dynamics influence political participation for people with intellectual disabilities. I have worked as a grant writer for the largest federally recognized Tribe in the state of California, and as an analyst and program coordinator for county governments.

I love data, research, and helping to answer complex (and sometimes overlooked) questions with qualitative and quantitative data, and I am so excited to be working with and for the diverse communities of King County.

Employment

  • Senior Research Consultant, ML Whalen Consulting 2018 – Present
  • Program Coordinator, County of Humboldt 2017-2018
    • Elder and Vulnerable Adult Services Team
  • Staff Services Analyst, County of Humboldt 2016-2017
    • Older Adult Services and Elder Abuse Prevention
  • Grant Writer, Yurok Tribe 2015-2016
  • Graduate Research Assistant, Humboldt State University 2014-2015
    • Center for Applied Sociological Analysis and Education
    • Office of Graduate Studies
    • California Center for Rural Policy
  • Executive Assistant, Pacific Sociological Association 2013-2014

Education

  • M.A. in Sociology, with distinction, Humboldt State University 2015
    • Thesis: Black Trans Bodies are Under Attack”: Gender Non-Conforming Homicide Victims in the U.S. 1995-2014
  • B.A. in Sociology, Washington State University 2012
    • Minor: Women’s Studies
  • B.A. in English, Washington State University 2012
    • Minor: Creative Writing

Awards

  • McConkey Outstanding Graduate Student, Humboldt State University 2015
  • Inaugural Greater Seattle Business Association Graduate Scholarship 2013
  • Women of Distinction Award, Washington State University Vancouver 2013
  • Pride Foundation Community Scholarship 2012
  • Humanitarian Award, Washington State University Vancouver 2012
  • Greater Seattle Business Association Graduate Scholarship 2011 and 2012
  • Jeanette Jewett Scholarship, Washington State University Sociology 2011

Community Engagement

  • Secretary and Grants Manager, Board of Directors, Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction 2017-18
  • Commissioner, Humboldt County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission 2014-17
  • Member, Humboldt County Youth Disparities Reduction Collaborative 2015
  • Intern, National Center for Youth Law  2014
  • Intern, First 5  Humboldt 2014
  • Co-Chair, Sociology and Criminology and Justice Studies Community Advisory Board, Humboldt State University 2014-15
  • Co-Founder and Co-Organizer of Gender Neutral Bathroom Week, Washington State University Vancouver 2012-14
  • Intern, YWCA Independent Living Skills Program, Clark County 2011-2012