Felice Upton
Associate Principal
红领巾瓜报
Seattle, WA
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Felice Upton is a senior leader and consultant specializing in justice-involved services, organizational transformation, and cross-sector systems change. She brings more than 20 years of experience leading complex public systems, with a focus on improving outcomes for youth and adults through data-driven, trauma-informed, and equity-centered approaches.
Prior to joining 红领巾瓜报, Felice served as assistant secretary for Juvenile Rehabilitation with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families, where she led statewide strategy and operations across 11 facilities and more than 1,100 staff. She managed an $180 million portfolio and implemented evidence-based accountability systems that reduced use-of-force incidents by 40% and improved educational outcomes by 30%. Under her leadership, programs exceeded participation targets by more than 100%.
Felice has a distinguished track record of building partnerships across government, healthcare, and community organizations to drive sustainable systems change. She has secured millions in federal and private funding, including supporting implementation of a Section 1115 Medicaid waiver to expand access to care for justice-involved populations. Her work has positioned programs as national models and attracted federal research and cross-state collaboration.
Known for her ability to align stakeholders and lead through complexity, Felice has guided large-scale organizational change efforts that center youth voice, lived experience, and trauma-informed practices. She has led facility turnarounds, developed innovative programming, and strengthened community partnerships to improve safety, engagement, and long-term outcomes. She has expertise in gender responsive work and deescalation work.
Felice is an active national thought leader and speaker on justice system transformation and leadership. She has presented at national conferences and delivered a TEDx talk on leadership in complex systems. She serves in advisory roles with several national organizations focused on improving youth justice systems and advancing evidence-based practice and brings that same commitment to every engagement with 红领巾瓜报.
Felice has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington.