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Lori Pfingst

Executive Director

Washington Economic Justice Alliance

Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow Alumni 2018 Cohort 4

Dr. Lori Pfingst is a national expert on health and well-being, policy entrepreneur, research nerd and lifelong change-maker. Lori’s work lives at the intersection of economic, health and environmental well-being and has contributed to increases in minimum wage, progressive taxes and revenue, human services reform and advances in co-governance and participatory decision-making. Her team coordinates the multisector, interagency collaboration to implement the 10-Year Plan to Dismantle Poverty in Washington state. She is a published author and storyteller, weaving the power of data with the wisdom of experts with experience to advance public policies that support the well-being of children, families and communities.

Lori is a recipient of the Aspen Institute’s prestigious Ascend Fellowship, an American Public Human Services Association Racial Equity Champion and a recent nominee for the MLK Beloved Community Award and Governor’s Distinguished Manager Award. Prior to joining DSHS, Lori served in leadership roles in non-profits, academia, and county government.

In the wild, Lori loves biking, cooking, watching her daughter play softball, and hanging out with family, friends and fur-babies.

Stories Featuring Lori Pfingst
February 14, 2023
2022 Ascend Impact & Inspiration Report
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June 25, 2022
Leadership Reflections from the 2022 Aspen Ideas Festival
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June 15, 2022
Ascending at the 2022 Aspen Ideas Festival
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January 14, 2021
The Time Is Always Right To Do What Is Right
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July 13, 2020
Introducing the Aspen Two-Generation Coordinator Community of Practice
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June 29, 2020
Undo A System of White Supremacy: The Call for a New Social Contract
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June 19, 2019
2018 Ascend Fellow Action Plans
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March 13, 2019
Moving Families Toward Opportunity, Two Generations at a Time
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Ascend Fellows are a community of values-driven leaders who share an unwavering commitment to our shared goal of intergenerational family prosperity and well-being.