Statewide Reentry Council Members and Staff

Janel McFeat (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Washington State Reentry Council. She is leading cross-agency policy changes that are improving statewide reentry outcomes for those currently incarcerated, with a focus on creating equitable and humane practices across all of WA. Over the last two years, McFeat has been focused on building relationships between the criminal justice system and individuals that are harmed by incarceration while dismantling the legacy of systemic discrimination.

Before joining the Council, she served as the strategic planner/program manager for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe’s reentry and built a nationally recognized program for native and non-native incarcerated individuals. McFeat is a White House Champion for Change nominee, and recipient of the Linda Gabriel Human Rights Award for leading work with formerly incarcerated young people, adults and their families.

As a Jamestown S’Klallam descendant, McFeat credits her great-grandmother for her most important lessons – the importance of relationships and the art of listening. She received her B.A. in Social Work from Pacific Lutheran University.

Esther Matthews holds a B.S. in Political Science from Oregon State University, as well as an M.S. and Ph.D. in Justice, Law and Criminology from American University in Washington D.C. She has a lived experience in the criminal legal system, which allows her to understand the system and its impact on communities from a dual perspective.

She has conducted research inside eight different prisons, to better understand the challenges of reentry, from multiple perspectives. Her dissertation research evaluated four peer-focused reentry programs that relied on different peer mentorship models. Her research on the criminal legal system has been published in several peer-reviewed journals and media outlets, like The Washington Post. After she received her Ph.D., she served as an Assistant Professor of Criminology at Gonzaga University and a Juvenile Rehabilitation Researcher for the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

In her role with the Statewide Reentry Council, she is able to use her knowledge of policy and research to advocate for more equitable and humane evidence-based policies to help create safer, healthier communities in Washington.

Galen Ruzzamenti holds degrees in Business Administration and Human Services with a Chemical Dependency Emphasis. He is an active member in non-profit volunteer programs throughout the Whatcom County area, helping people who are experiencing homelessness and addiction. As a lifetime Washington resident, he is passionate in empowering people to bring equal opportunity to all community members.

Ruzzamenti comes from an Operations Management background, where he used his position to practice fair hiring practices and give employment opportunities to those who have faced hardships from societal stigmas. He is a strong believer that breaking down barriers is key to maximizing restorative efforts.

Ruzzamenti is a person with lived experience in the criminal justice system and has seen the difficulties faced both during incarceration and reentering back into the community. He is passionate about bringing resources and program to those inside correctional facilities and those who are reentering.

Hanan Al-Zubaidy is the Associate Director For Corrections Education at the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Hanan has served in Corrections education in various capacities, ranging from an Education Navigator, Director of Education at a minimum security facility in Washington, and recently, the Corrections Education Program Administrator. Hanan holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy from Portland State University. Hanan is a member of the Correctional Education Association’s Council of Directors of Correctional Education. Hanan is dedicated to the success of underrepresented students and their families.

Larry Jefferson was appointed in April of 2021 by the Washington Supreme Court to become the new Director of Public Defense for the State of Washington. He has worked as a public defender in King and Thurston County since 1996. He is a graduate of The Evergreen State College and Seattle University’s School of Law. Larry is a Board member of the Campaign for Equal Justice and the Diversity and Inclusion Section of The Thurston County Bar Association. He is past President of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Thurston County Bar Association. In 2023, he was named the Loren Miller Bar Association’s recipient of the Excellence in Law Award, in 2022, he was named Luminary of the Year by the Seattle Clemency Project. In 2020, he received the Daniel Bigelow Award from the Thurston County Bar Association and was named Attorney of the Year. Larry is a devoted husband, father of two wonderful adult children, and a self-proclaimed mama’s boy. He enjoys transforming harm into justice, standing by his barbecue, and cheering for the Seahawks.

Ty Reed was born in Tennessee, spent time residing in Virginia and Georgia, and has lived in WA State for over 30 years. A graduate of University High School in Spokane, Ty has a bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University of Washington. Ty has seen the highs and lows of life. He has been a nationally awarded salesperson for a Fortune 50 company and has also experienced homelessness, addiction, and incarceration. After entering recovery in 2016, Ty started Recovery Career Services, a nonprofit that helps individuals overcoming criminal convictions find and keep employment. As part of that work, he is a speaker that educates business associations and employers about the importance of second chance hiring.

He is currently the Reentry Manager with WA Employment Security Department.

Tyron serves as the Medicaid Reentry Transformation Implementation Manager at the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), where he plays a key role in advancing statewide efforts to support individuals transitioning from incarceration. His portfolio spans a wide range of Medicaid initiatives, including Maternal Infant Health, Adolescent, Youth, and Young Adult services, as well as Medicaid Administrative Claiming (MAC). Tyron has also led strategic efforts to strengthen Tribal Government partnerships through Tribal-MAC participation, promoting equitable access and representation across Washington.

Driven by a deep commitment to addressing health-related social needs, Tyron combines professional expertise with grassroots engagement. Beyond his work at HCA, he actively volunteers in the community—helping individuals navigate essential services such as Medicaid enrollment, reentry support, housing assistance, and food security programs.

Tyron’s dedication to systems transformation and community empowerment continues to shape meaningful progress across Washington’s landscape.

Tracy holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and a master’s degree in organizational leadership. He has 40 years of experience working with justice involved individuals. Currently he manages the DSHS/Office of Forensic Mental Health Services Jail Technical Assistance Program. In this capacity, he has had the opportunity to tour every jail in the State (County, City and Tribal) and interview leadership staff regarding jail services such as booking, screening/assessments, treatment and reentry.

Tracy started his career with juvenile rehabilitation where he worked on a crisis response team and as a counselor. He spent 29 years with the Washington Department of Corrections. During that time, he gained experience working in community corrections, work release, prison, statewide program implementation, grant management, and grant administration. Tracy also has experience managing a residential treatment facility who focused on competency restoration services for people facing criminal charges.

Eric Richey is the elected Whatcom County Prosecutor since 2018 after 25 years of handling criminal cases in the office. He has served on many boards and committees, including Brigid Collins Child Advocacy Center, Whatcom County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, and the Chuckanut Health Foundation. Eric was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and received degrees from Western Washington University and the University of Oregon School of Law. He is married, has two children and enjoys bikes and boats.

Penelope Sapp was hired at the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office Jail in 2002, where she worked in various jail assignments. She was promoted to sergeant in 2007 and assigned to operations sergeant and training sergeant. In 2014 she was promoted to lieutenant, and in 2021 she was promoted to Chief of Corrections. During her assignment as a lieutenant, Penelope focused on re-entry services, including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), to help those incarcerated transition into the community more successfully. She continues to enhance those services in her role as Chief. In addition, Penelope was selected by Governor Inslee to be a Commissioner for the Washington State Criminal Justice Commission, assisting in the development of high standards and exceptional training for the law enforcement personnel that work in our state. Penelope is currently writing her dissertation for her Ph.D. in Philosophy of Public Policy Administration. When Penelope is not studying, she is giving back to the community in some capacity. She is one of the founding board members of the Kitsap Shop with a Cop program and event that invites over 120 underprivileged children to holiday shopping with law enforcement personnel. In addition, she is currently the secretary of the Kitsap Fair and Stampede Boards, the new non-profit created to plan the county fair.

Hilary Young is vice president of advocacy and philanthropy for Pioneer Human Services, the oldest and largest reentry provider in Washington state. In this role, she leads public policy, advocacy, communications and fundraising efforts to effect positive change for people impacted by the criminal legal system. Before joining Pioneer in 2011, Hilary spent her career in the public sector advocating for a range of issues, including workforce development for marginalized individuals and healthcare reform. Committed to the fight to end discrimination against people with conviction histories, Hilary has served on the Seattle Fair Chance Housing Committee and the Seattle Reentry Workgroup and is a current member of the Statewide Reentry Taskforce and the Washington State Housing Justice Coalition. She is a graduate of The Evergreen State College.

Danielle Armbruster began her career with the Department of Corrections in September 1996 as a Clerk Typist 2 and was promoted through increasing levels of responsibility from accounting to the general manager of Correctional Industries at Stafford Creek Corrections Center. Armbruster also served as a board member of the National Correctional Industries Association (NCIA) and recently served as the NCIA’s Western Region chair. Armbruster is the 2012 recipient of the Secretary’s Leadership Award.

Karen Lee, a United States Army Veteran, is an alumna of both the United States Military Academy at West Point and the University of Washington School of Law. She is currently a member of the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and University of Washington Foundation boards, and she is a Corporate Director at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Northwest Natural Holdings, and Lease Crutcher Lewis. Her list of accomplishments is long and what is constant throughout her distinguished career is her commitment to serving others and making it possible for everyone to lead a life of dignity.

Karen assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at Plymouth Housing in 2022. Prior to this, Karen held the position of CEO at Pioneer Human Services and served as a cabinet member and agency director during Governor Christine Gregoire’s administration. With a four-year tenure in the U.S. Army, including an overseas tour, Karen also contributed as the Director of Gas Operations at Puget Sound Energy. Earlier in her legal career, she gained experience at K&L Gates. Karen is deeply committed to active involvement in our community and reentry.

Winona Stevens is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. Her commitment to serving Native Americans affected by incarceration led her to launch Native American Reentry Services. Her organization has two programs: Iron House Medicine and HEAL for Reentry.

To further support our brothers and sisters involved in the criminal justice system, Winona’s work includes being a trainer for White Bison’s Wellbriety Training Institute, a consultant for the American Probation & Parole Association’s Washington State Tribal Intergovernmental Reentry Workshop, consulting with WA State’s Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration on the implementation of their religious program policy, and has contracted with the WA State Department of Corrections, administering their Native American Religious Programs.

Additionally, Ms. Stevens serves on the following boards: Huy, the Washington Statewide Reentry Council (Governor appointed Tribal Affairs Representative), White Bison, and the University of Washington’s Native American Advisory Board.

Winona is currently a doctoral student at the University of Washington’s Educational Leadership Ed. D. program in partnership with Muckleshoot Tribal College. She received her master’s degree in social work at the University of Washington. She has held many positions which include Adjunct Professor at Northwest Indian College, White Bison Recovery Coach and New Directions Anger Management Group Facilitator.

Priya is a mixed race, queer, chronically ill survivor who has been with API Chaya since 2012, and is currently the Executive Director. Through her leadership, API Chaya developed programs with incarcerated community members across WA state prisons; as well as increased community capacity to directly intervene in gender-based violence towards healing and accountability, outside of state systems. In this role Priya is particularly interested in developing strategic priorities, investing in whole family support for the people we serve, and ensuring API Chaya remains accountable to the immigrant communities and survivors at our core. She has been in the anti-violence anti-prison movements for more than 15 years. She is a former board member of the Coalition Ending Gender-Based Violence; Trikone NW; and is a founding member of Collective Justice. Priya has a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley; and a JD from the University of Washington School of Law.

Quinton brings a wealth of experience in legislative advocacy, justice reform, and community health to the Washington State Reentry Council. With a proven track record in advancing policies that support reentry, Quinton has been instrumental in creating pathways for individuals impacted by the justice system.

His professional background includes coordinating reentry legislative affairs, leading research and performance reporting, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to develop innovative solutions for reducing barriers to reentry. As a Community Health Worker and an advocate for holistic community support, they are deeply committed to equity and inclusion, ensuring that justice-involved individuals receive the resources they need to thrive.

Quinton also contributes to various initiatives as the founder and Executive Director of Forge, including workforce development, housing advocacy, and partnerships aimed at addressing systemic inequities. He is passionate about building collective power and fostering leadership within marginalized communities, making him a valuable addition to the Council.

Arlen W. Moses is a member of The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and is a descendant of the Colville Nation. His commitment to serving the Native American community reflects in his resume, employed in various fields for the Yakama Nation since 1995, volunteered in several public safety capacities, participated on various Tribal, State and National Committees and Commissions, and has worked as a consultant for the National Emergency Training Center, Emmitsburg, Maryland in Tribal Affairs.

Arlen started his career in Corrections, Rehabilitation, Reentry and Restorative Justice during the Retrocession of PL 83-280 in 2016 and has been working to improve the conditions and circumstances of his community, more specifically the Tribal youth and the elderly. Employed as the Youth Court Services Program Manager, he has the responsibility to uphold Law and redirect Tribal youth back into Tribal traditions, culture and beliefs.

Working to complete his education at Heritage University located on the Yakama Reservation, Arlen is earning a double major in both Criminal Justice and Psychology and intends on continuing his education in Law. Having a strong faith in traditions, culture and beliefs, he gives credit to his elders, who taught him about tamánwi- (the law). Arlen is reminded, “Virtue is the fabric within a culture that binds a community together and prior to civilization, jails and prisons, our people relied on community-based, social sanctions and knowledge to preserve fairness, be recognized, heard, address wrongdoing and promote over-all healing.”