Arthur Hendricks
Lacey
Summary
Accomplished expert in advancing equity and community engagement within the public sector. Skilled in negotiating intergovernmental agreements and developing comprehensive engagement strategies that translate complex policies for diverse populations, ensuring compliance and fostering community trust.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Equity and Engagement Manager
Pierce Transit
Lakewood
01.2024 - 04.2026
- Developed and implemented community engagement strategies for diverse and underserved populations, translating complex regulatory and policy information into accessible communications for community members and elected officials.
- Served as primary liaison for civil rights and community engagement, coordinating with municipal partners, community organizations, and regulatory agencies to align compliance and engagement priorities.
- Navigated politically sensitive compliance and community relations matters, fostering consensus among stakeholders with competing priorities to enhance collaborative efforts.
- Created coordinated complaint intake and investigation process, enhancing cross-functional communication and accountability across agency departments and partner agencies.
Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Manager III
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Seattle
08.2019 - 12.2023
- Directed Race, Equity, and Social Justice strategy across five divisions — coordinating with municipal partners, community stakeholders, and cross-agency teams to advance policy priorities and program implementation.
- Developed and implemented community engagement standards and Language Access Plans in compliance with federal requirements — coordinating engagement with immigrant, refugee, and limited-English-proficient communities across the King County region.
- Standardized community engagement frameworks across five DNRP divisions — including parks, natural areas, solid waste, and wastewater — enhancing consistency and accountability in municipal and community partner relations.
- Supported development of King County's equity accountability framework with Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget — tracking implementation of policy commitments and reporting outcomes to county leadership.
- Monitored departmental performance and compliance with intergovernmental commitments, providing briefings to department and executive leadership to inform decision-making.
Deputy Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer
King County Executive's Office
Seattle
11.2020 - 12.2022
- Advised the County Executive and county leadership on equity governance, policy development, and intergovernmental relations — collaborating directly with elected officials, their staff, and senior county managers on complex and politically sensitive matters.
- Advised senior leadership on the legislative implications of Racism as a Public Health Crisis — helping to shape King County's public policy response and community engagement strategy during a high-profile, politically complex initiative.
- Co-led implementation of ARPA investments and Racism as a Public Health Crisis action plans — coordinating across county departments, municipal partners, and community organizations to advance policy commitments and track implementation.
- Reviewed legislative activity and advised department leadership on policy implications — prepared briefings and recommendations on critical legislative developments affecting county programs.
- Supervised department staff across six program areas including civil rights, community engagement, policy, planning, and grantmaking — managed relationships with community partners and elected officials to enhance program effectiveness.
- Represented department at legislative hearings, public events, and community forums — communicated complex policy information to diverse audiences, fostering understanding and collaboration.
- Managed a $7M federal grant portfolio to 120 community organizations — overseeing intergovernmental coordination, compliance monitoring, and outcome reporting across a complex multi-partner initiative.
Equity & Inclusion Manager
Portland Parks & Recreation
Portland
12.2014 - 07.2019
- Developed and led site-based community engagement strategies for programs serving diverse and underserved populations — organized meetings, tours, briefings, and community events; drafted materials; and facilitated dialogue among stakeholders with diverse and conflicting interests.
- Collaborated with city council, advisory commissions, and community stakeholders to advance bureau's racial equity plan — monitored implementation, tracked compliance with policy commitments, and advised bureau leadership on legislative and policy developments.
- Co-created the City of Portland's Racial Equity Budget Analysis Tool — a policy development initiative requiring negotiation with city bureau leadership, the city budget office, and elected officials to establish a new citywide policy framework.
- Created culturally responsive community engagement strategies for complex siting and program implementation contexts — established new programs and facilities in communities with histories of distrust toward city government.
- Authored the bureau's first Five-Year Racial Equity Plan — a policy development initiative coordinated across multiple city bureaus, community organizations, and elected officials, adopted as bureau policy and integrated into the city's strategic planning process.
- Developed Parks for New Portlanders — a nationally recognized intergovernmental and community partnership model involving federal, city, and community partners to advance equitable access to park services for immigrant and refugee communities.
- Served as the bureau's primary liaison to community partners, advocacy organizations, and municipal stakeholders on equity, civil rights, and community engagement matters.
Sr. Marketing, Communications & Engagement Coordinator
Portland Housing Bureau
Portland
07.2009 - 12.2010
- Developed engagement strategies that contributed to a 20% increase in minority homeownership in designated urban renewal areas — a measurable outcome of sustained intergovernmental and community partnership.
- Coordinated with elected officials and city agencies on community-facing housing initiatives, translating complex housing policy and regulatory information into accessible materials for community members.
- Developed community engagement and communications strategies for affordable housing and urban renewal programs, collaborating with municipal partners, lenders, nonprofits, and community organizations to implement housing policy.
Sr. Public Participation Coordinator / Co-Manager, Urban Renewal Areas
Portland Development Commission
Portland
01.2005 - 07.2009
- Co-managed two urban renewal areas with a combined $50M annual budget — serving as the primary liaison between the agency, municipal partners, elected officials, neighborhood associations, and community stakeholders on urban renewal priorities and program implementation.
- Co-led cross-agency project team for Downtown Waterfront and Old Town Chinatown redevelopment — coordinating intergovernmental agreements and driving community engagement in a high-profile, politically complex urban development initiative.
- Facilitated community engagement on complex, politically sensitive siting and development decisions — fostering collaboration among stakeholders on mixed-use development, transportation infrastructure, housing, and commercial projects in historically complex urban districts.
- Negotiated and coordinated intergovernmental project frameworks with city agencies including the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Bureau of Transportation, and TriMet — managing competing priorities and building alignment across partners.
- Monitored program implementation and compliance with intergovernmental commitments — delivering reports and actionable recommendations to advisory committees, city council, and community stakeholders.
Crime Prevention Program Manager
City of Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement
Portland
01.2000 - 07.2005
- Partnered with U.S. Attorney's Office, Portland Police Bureau, and community organizations on violence prevention policy and program implementation — coordinated efforts across government and community partners to advance complex, politically sensitive public safety initiatives.
- Managed intergovernmental and community partnerships across seven district coalition offices and 96 neighborhood associations — liaised between city government, law enforcement, and neighborhood stakeholders to enhance public safety and community livability.
- Developed and implemented community engagement strategies for neighborhoods facing conflict, distrust, or competing interests — facilitated dialogue and built consensus among stakeholders with diverse viewpoints to promote community cohesion.
Education
Intercultural Communications -
Marylhurst University
01-1996
Skills
- Racial equity & social justice practice
- Advocacy strategy development
- Policy analysis
- Legislative drafting
- Human services policy
- Behavioral health
- Community engagement
- Community needs assessment
- Strategic partnership development
- Partnership management
- Stakeholder communications
- Conflict resolution
- Community needs assessment
Prior Leadership And Public Service
- Cultural Competency Coordinator, Oregon Youth Authority / Commission on Children & Families, 01/01/99 - 12/31/00
- Title V Program Manager (DOJ Federal Contract), Developmental Research and Programs, 01/01/95 - 12/31/99
Accomplishments
- 2016 Oregon Recreation and Parks Association Outstanding New Professional Award
- 2018 Friends of Muslim Educational Trust Award
Timeline
Equity and Engagement Manager
Pierce Transit
01.2024 - 04.2026
Deputy Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer
King County Executive's Office
11.2020 - 12.2022
Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Manager III
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks
08.2019 - 12.2023
Equity & Inclusion Manager
Portland Parks & Recreation
12.2014 - 07.2019
Sr. Marketing, Communications & Engagement Coordinator
Portland Housing Bureau
07.2009 - 12.2010
Sr. Public Participation Coordinator / Co-Manager, Urban Renewal Areas
Portland Development Commission
01.2005 - 07.2009
Crime Prevention Program Manager
City of Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement
01.2000 - 07.2005
Intercultural Communications -
Marylhurst University