After 29 years of service to our community, Seattle Jobs Initiative is winding down operations.
September 18, 2026, was the final workday for most of our program and administrative staff. This has been a difficult transition, and we want to recognize the people who carried SJI’s work forward every day. Our staff brought expertise, persistence, creativity, and care to their work with participants, clients, and partners. We are deeply grateful for everything they contributed.
We are also pleased to share that SJI’s Consulting and Research, Data and Design teams will continue their work with National Able Network beginning October 1, 2026.
A small SJI transition team remains in place to complete the organizational wind-down, meet SJI’s remaining obligations, respond to outstanding questions, and manage the records, resources, and relationships still entrusted to the organization.
Why SJI is Closing
After reviewing SJI’s financial position and considering the available alternatives, the Board of Directors determined that the organization did not have the resources needed to continue operating. The Board voted to dissolve SJI and begin an orderly wind-down.
SJI’s formal legal dissolution will occur after the necessary financial, contractual, regulatory, and administrative work is complete
Honoring SJI’s Staff and Work
For 29 years, SJI worked alongside participants, employers, public agencies, funders, clients, and community organizations to expand access to education, employment, and economic opportunity.
We are proud of what SJI’s staff and community accomplished together. The work created opportunities, strengthened partnerships, and helped people take meaningful steps toward their employment and education goals.
To the staff members whose work with SJI concluded in September, thank you. Your knowledge, commitment, and belief in the people SJI served shaped the organization and its legacy.
To the teams continuing their work with National Able Network, thank you for carrying this work forward.
To our participants, thank you for trusting SJI and allowing us to be part of your journey.
To our partners and supporters, thank you for working alongside us and investing in this work.
What Happens Next: Key Information
The remaining SJI transition team is focused on:
Because only a small transition team remains, response times might be longer than usual. Thank you for your patience as the team works through outstanding responsibilities.
Contact List
Bri Nguyen, Research, Data and Design, Senior Managing Consultant: bnguyen@seattlejobsinit.com
Kathi Medcalf, Consulting, Senior Managing Consultant: kmedcalf@seattlejobsinit.com
If you recently received services from SJI and have questions about an appointment, payment, referral, record, or other outstanding matter, please contact: info@seattlejobsinit.com
Please do not include sensitive personal information in an unencrypted email. A transition team member will explain how to provide confidential information securely.
SJI is contacting funders and contracting agencies directly about active agreements, outstanding deliverables, final invoices, restricted funds, records, data, and grant-funded property.
For questions about a grant, contract, report, or closeout requirement, please contact: Laurie Olson, Controller: LOlson@seattlejobsinit.com
If your organization has an active referral, training arrangement, program partnership, or other commitment with SJI, please contact: Kevin Osborn, Interim Executive Director: KOsborn@seattlejobsinit.com
Please include the name of the program, agreement, or SJI contact associated with your inquiry.
Former employees with questions about final pay, benefits, tax documents, employment verification, personnel records, references, or equipment return, please contact: Yoon Manivanh, HR & Organizational Development Coordinator: YManivanh@seattlejobsinit.com
For other questions about SJI’s wind-down, contact: SJI@seattlejobsinit.com, (206) 628-6975
While this is not the ending we hoped for, the work mattered—and so did every person and partnership behind it.
We are grateful to every staff member, participant, funder, employer, training provider, client, community organization, Board member, and supporter who contributed to SJI’s work over the past 29 years.
Thank you for being part of Seattle Jobs Initiative.
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