Ada Williams Prince

Senior Advisor, Program Strategy and Investment Pivotal Ventures

Why does the leadership of Black women in philanthropy matter?

It matters because without our leadership our communities will continue to be spoken for, rather than from. Its needs will continue to be guessed, its path forward will continue to be assumed, and its heart will continue to be misunderstood. Our leadership is an essential component for the holistic fix to this centuries-old situation.

Describe your leadership as a Black woman in philanthropy in one sentence.

I lead from a proud place of multiple identities, constantly keeping both my ancestors and my descendants in mind when forging the path forward in this work.

How has the presence and power of Black women changed the philanthropic sector?

We have begun to shift the framework itself! This is not an easy or quick "fix", it is a reimagining, a rebuilding, and a constant push to expand the visions of our respective foundations.

How would you describe this moment in history?

We are at a pivotal moment in history when the intersectional lens through which we as Black women see the world is finally beginning to be recognized for the value it engenders by others without this unique vision. It is a moment where are all of the work, the love, the struggle of our ancestors just might begin to bear fruit if we can be strategic and loving, understanding that this moment of reckoning is scary for many while embracing the truth that it is empowering and revelatory for others.

What are the ways Black women in philanthropy can support and sustain Black women movement building?

By centering the needs of our communities, by never forgetting where we come from, by holding fast to our truths and by never forgetting the Value and the Vision of our unique Voices.

What does the project Voice. Vision. Value. mean to you?

Voice. Vision. Value is a celebration and acknowledgement of all of the powerful Black women in leadership in Philanthropy. It is an appreciated and valuable addition to the space, after all, without embracing joy, what is the point of all of the struggle?

Bio

Ada Williams Prince, Senior Advisor, Program Strategy and Investments Ada is an established thought leader at the intersection of philanthropy, equity and global economic development. As Senior Advisor for Program Strategy and Investment at Pivotal Ventures, founded by Melinda Gates, she directs high level engagement and strategies to advance social progress in the United States. Specifically, in the areas of adolescent mental health (globally and domestically), accelerating the power and influence women and girls of color.

Ada brings over 20 years of experience working on social impact globally and domestically. She has served as a Program Officer for the Marguerite Casey Foundation, Director of Special Projects for OneAmerica, and Senior Advocacy Officer at the Women's Refugee Commission and a number of other senior program positions. She's held international posts with the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Survivors in Brussels, Save the Children in London, and on field missions with Refugees International, and the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance at USAID.

Ada has served as a board member for several organizations including, Neighborhood House and the Refugee Women's Alliance in Seattle, and chair of the board of directors of Wandsworth Women's Aid UK, a domestic violence shelter. Currently she serves on the board of PAI (a global reproductive health organization) and Crisis Text Line.

She has spent her career fighting for the rights of global women, girls and families everywhere.

Ada holds a BA and MA degrees from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, VT and the University of Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. She and her family live in Seattle.

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