By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Gov. Bob Ferguson recently confirmed Megan Matthews as director of the Washington State Office of Equity, formalizing her leadership after serving in the role on an interim basis.
Matthews was appointed interim director in 2023 by former Gov. Jay Inslee following the departure of the agency’s first director, Karen Johnson. Matthews has worked with the Office of Equity since April 2021 and previously served as assistant director and acting director.
The Office of Equity was created through legislation signed by Inslee and is tasked with promoting access to equitable opportunities and resources to reduce disparities and improve outcomes statewide across government.
Matthews said stepping into the role has been both humbling and transformative, particularly given the absence of leadership examples during her upbringing.
“I am so proud. I am so humbled. It is a privilege and I feel a great sense of responsibility. Some of the things I feel is, I never saw myself as a director,” says Matthews. “I never knew anybody who was a director. So, I was like, that’s something I can’t do. But now, I’m the big director person, right? I can’t be, that’s not me. It was a lot of my own mental barriers that I had to work through to even get into the director’s position. And I always like to say for little Black girls, that you can do this, and I feel like me being in the position I’m in, lets them know that there’s a space for them too.”
According to the Office of Equity, the agency recognizes that state government has not always served all communities equally. While some have benefited from government programs and services, others have faced barriers due to policies, practices and systems that have limited access.
Matthews said part of the challenge is helping people understand the agency’s mission in a broader national context where equity work is often misunderstood.
“I think helping people understand what our work is, is a challenge because of the national narrative. People have assumptions about the work and so, we must have a way to clearly articulate,” says Matthews. “Articulate what we mean and how we approach it and how we’re advancing a ‘Washington for all’ and that everyone benefits when we are focused on everyone’s needs and those solutions that meet everyone’s needs.”
Patrick Stickney, a senior policy and legislative affairs advisor for the office, said Matthews’ confirmation reflects her work to build a more responsive state government.
“Director Matthews, her confirmation is a testament to her work to create a state government that works for the people of Washington. She’s worked constructively with state agencies and the legislature to pursue this goal, and her confirmation reflects the priority of serving all Washingtonians,” says Stickney.
Matthews, who grew up in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood, said her leadership was shaped early in life as the oldest of four siblings. A graduate of Lincoln High School, Matthews later earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Williams College and a master’s degree from The Evergreen State College.
Matthews said the scale of state government presents ongoing challenges in implementing equity-focused work, particularly in the current national climate.
“Right now we’re operating in a federal environment that isn’t necessarily supportive of the work. And so, we have really been committed to trying to work with the attorney general’s office to develop the strategies that allow us to keep doing our work in a real way and giving support to other entities who want to continue this work as well,” says Matthews. “So that has been a challenge. A challenge is just that the system is massive, right? Even in this state, there’s 75,000 state employees, so when you’re talking about systems, you’re talking about a lot of players and a lot of people and there aren’t always enough resources to do the work. I think helping people understand what our work is a challenge.”
As discussions around diversity, equity and inclusion continue statewide and nationally, Matthews said the role is about more than leadership, but about building a system rooted in dignity and respect.
“In this time, being the director of the Washington State Office of Equity in such a time as this, where there’s a lot of division, where there’s a lot of just meanness and cruelty, I want to be able to offer a different path forward,” says Matthews. “I see a future of love, care, concern, where every person has value just because they exist. Where every person should be treated with dignity and respect and appreciated for their humanity.”
Matthews said empathy plays a central role in strengthening both government institutions and the communities they serve.
“In Washington, I think we are uniquely situated because we have a lot of resources in our state. I think we don’t have to pick winners and losers anymore. I think we can all win,” Matthews adds. “And actually, no matter how you look at it, if you’re someone who has a lot of empathy for people, suffering just hurts you if you have a lot of empathy. But empathy keeps you aware, it fuels this work and our society is stronger because of it.”
Stickney said the goal of the office is to ensure government works for all residents.
“I think that the big thing is just a Washington where everybody can thrive, where state government works to incorporate a variety of perspectives, does not do one size fits all solutions, to really help people receive the services and the benefits and the programs, and the resources that they need to live dignified lives, no matter who they are,” says Stickney.
