Janae Teal (she/they)
Director of Programs
Grand Rapids, MI
Seattle, WA

Prior to The Capacity Collective, Janae worked as an analyst for a county government where they developed various data processes and used data to advocate for local policy change. Janae cares deeply about harm reduction and advocating for people who use drugs, dismantling the criminal (in)justice system, and removing barriers for LGBTQ+ communities. She believes in the power of community and strives to make meaningful impacts in the world of data, social, and intersectional racial justice. Janae holds a BA in both Sociology and English from Washington State University and an MA in Public Sociology from Cal Poly Humboldt. In their free time they enjoy exploring new places, hanging out with their auntlets, listening to audiobooks, and supporting local breweries.

Meredith Williams (she/her)
Director of Operations
Grand Rapids, MI
Seattle, WA

Before starting The Capacity Collective with Janae Teal, she was an Associate Professor of Sociology in the California State University system where she taught courses in criminology, theory and research methods. Meredith’s passions include keeping people out of the criminal justice system, harm reduction, and LGBTQ and disability issues. She believes in the “campsite rule” in that we should always leave the people and places we encounter better off. Meredith holds a PhD in Sociology from Washington State University. Meredith loves to experience the world, learn new things, and catch up with her many nieces and nephews.

Jennifer Ruppelt (she/they)
Senior Project Manager
Montevideo, Uruguay

Before coming to The Capacity Collective, Jennifer worked with a Uruguayan non-profit in community development and the prevention of violence against children. She is passionate about creating a world where children are valued, supporting holistic wellbeing, and promoting LGBTQ+ rights. She believes that seemingly small changes can have big impacts in the lives of children, families and communities and she wants to be a part of creating change. Jennifer studied sociology and Spanish at Wheaton College. She loves pottery, gardening, traveling, and spending time with friends on the beach.

Em Carr (they/them)
Forever in our Work
Forever in our Hearts

Prior to The Capacity Collective, Em was a program coordinator for a home visiting program. In this role, they supported a team of home visitors in providing early learning education and case management supports to young parents in King County. Em cared deeply about reproductive and birth justice, and helping others realize their visions for a radical new future. They believed strongly in collective power, and strove to build community in all that they did. They held a BA in History from Oberlin College. In their free time, Em enjoyed taking way too many pictures of their cats, swimming in any of Western North Carolina’s beautiful rivers, and knitting.

Learn more about the Em Scout Carr Memorial scholarship for Harm Reduction work here.