21st Century Leadership with Ashleigh Gardere

The R.A.C.E. Podcast

Welcome to Episode 9 of Season 3 of The R.A.C.E. Podcast. I am back after a bustling summer and I am absolutely delighted to be speaking with Ashleigh Gardere, President of Policy Link, a national research and action institute that is working to build a future where all people in the United States of America can participate in a flourishing multiracial democracy, prosper in an equitable economy, and live in thriving communities of opportunity.​ Our conversation delves into the honor and often challenge of upholding the legacy and continuation of social and racial justice work. I have watched and been inspired by Ashleigh and her work and am so thankful for her commitment and her time.
Meet Ashleigh Gardere:

Ashleigh has been recognized by Living Cities as one of the nation’s Top 25 Disruptive Leaders working to close racial wealth gaps, Ashleigh is an expert in economic and workforce development, public policy, organizational leadership and culture change, and performance management for large-scale systems transformation.
As *newly appointed* President at Policy Link, Ashleigh brings vision to life through PolicyLink programs, activating common and uncommon partners to develop a shared national equity agenda. She is a pioneer in inclusive economic growth. She works effectively across government, private, and nonprofit sectors to create infrastructure for a coalition broad enough to Win on Equity.
Ashleigh serves as board chair of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation which partners with organizations and networks to alleviate poverty and increase social and economic justice in 11 Southern states. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from New York University and a master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, where she was a Public Policy and International Affairs Fellow.
Listen in as Ashleigh shares:

• The identities she holds closest including “21st century leader”
• How she defines Racial Equity and how it informs her leadership
• The goals and needs necessary for her role as President of Policy Link
• The results of her work and what keeps her motivated
• Her sources of support and information
• What she wants leaders to know, think, and feel in their quest to be leaders in this work
• And so much more

Connect with Ashleigh Gardere:

• Website: Policy Link
• LinkedIn: Ashleigh Gardere

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