Janice Deguchi

Janice Deguchi has served as the Executive Director of Neighborhood House since September 2019. At Neighborhood House, Janice has led an inclusive process to update the organization’s strategic plan, strengthened its commitment to become an anti-racist organization, and secured $4.7 million in additional funding annually to expand early learning facilities at five locations.

Janice is a third-generation Japanese American whose parents were incarcerated during WWII. She grew up in South Seattle, graduated from Rainier Beach High School, UW, and Seattle University. For over 25 years, she has helped people gain access to vocational training, early learning, senior care, and youth mentorship.

Janice’s commitment to social justice extends beyond her work. She has been a tireless advocate for early learning and was recognized in Parent Map for her advocacy in 2013. She led a public art project that commissioned a mural commemorating the contribution and incarceration of Japanese American Farmers at the Pike Place Market. Janice volunteered to prepare income tax returns through United Way’s Free Tax Help program for three filing seasons and currently serves on the boards of 501 Commons, Washington State Community Action Partnership, and is co-chair of the Seattle Human Services Coalition Wage Equity Leadership Committee.