Deric Gruen shares the leadership of Front and Centered with a focus on programs and policy. Deric has created and led diverse initiatives for climate and environmental justice and community economic development, from idea through fruition, for community-based organizations, in education, and in government. A graduate of Garfield High School and the University of Washington School of Public Policy, Deric is from a family full of social workers, has a new baby, and is the descendant of refugees from Germany and Lebanon—where he started his work in environmental justice.