Alandra Washington
Vice President for Organizational Transformation and Effectiveness W. K. Kellogg Foundation
Why does the leadership of Black women in philanthropy matter?
The leadership of Black women in philanthropy matters because of our unique perspectives, lived experiences and intersectional lens we bring to the work. We are the bridge builders to issues and communities that is nuanced by both our individual and collective stories of marginalization, underrepresentation and devaluing across gender and race. Often times it is only a Black women who can lift up these complexities in a way that adds another layer of depth and understanding that leads to better decision making.
Describe your leadership as a Black woman in philanthropy in one sentence.
My leadership in the field of philanthropy encompasses my passion, mentorship and activism to ensure the most vulnerable in society have access and opportunity to equitable strategies and solutions to thrive.
What does the project Voice. Vision. Value. mean to you?
This project means that Black women are celebrated and lifted-up for our wisdom, knowledge, skill, expertise and contributions to the field of philanthropy, but the project doesn't stop there. It also fills a gap. Our work and efforts in the philanthropic sector have been far too long ignored. This work begins to curate a deep and rich legacy of Black women's contributions in this space and undeniably how we have shaped the philanthropic sector and its collective work to more inclusive, equitable and just.
How has the presence and power of Black women changed the philanthropic sector?
The presence and power of Black women changes everything. I believe our presence has helped to shift the philanthropic sector to engage in authentic conversations using an intersectionality framework across race, gender and socio economic status, bring voice to communities traditionally marginalized, build stronger networks within Black communities and across communities of color and spur impactful innovations in ways we are still experiencing.
How would you describe this moment in history?
This moment in history is about healing together and moving forward together in ways that allow us to see real change now. It is no surprise the Black women are the masterminds and at the forefront of this movement. For many of us, it has been our life's work. Audre Lorde talks about the significance of difference and how from our difference and outsideness of the white dominant culture, personal power is forged. We have always been the watchers and keepers of our communities. This moment in history is about an unapologetic and relentless pursuit see real sustainable change and dismantling of a global oppressive system within our lifetime.
What are the ways Black women in philanthropy can support and sustain Black women movement building?
First Black women in philanthropy should continue to bring individual and collective stories of success and impact of Black women movement builders into our boardroom conversations, our philanthropic investment decisions and other spaces of influence. Secondly, we can help sustain this work by leading with our own personal giving to support the work of Black women movement builders and encourage others to use their resources to support our women leaders. Thirdly, I believe we should provide safe spaces for healing and rejuvenation of mind, body and spirit of Black women movement builders. You can't decouple the work from the movement builder it is one in the same; so when you provide space for the Black women movement builder to rejuvenate, heal, develop and grow, you are in essence doing it for the movement.
Bio
Alandra Washington is vice president for Transformation and Organizational Effectiveness at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan. In this role, she supports the
foundation’s efforts to promote thriving children, working families and equitable communities.
Washington supports the president and CEO in advancing the development, implementation and oversight of quality improvement and organizational performance initiatives. She is responsible for ensuring improvement, integration and alignment of a wide range of functions that exist to support operations and grantmaking, as well as evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of organization-wide practices.
Previously, Washington served as director for the Family Economic Security team at the foundation. She has also served as deputy director of the foundation’s Education & Learning team and program director for philanthropy and volunteerism. Washington has more than 15 years of experience managing national initiatives and leading nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. She brings extensive experience and knowledge in organizing communities for comprehensive change initiatives that include improving economic security of low-income families, community economic development, educational outcomes and capacity building and strategy development for nonprofit organizations. She has provided thought leadership and research in the areas of parental involvement in education, philanthropic engagement and place-based change initiatives. Major contributions in these areas include published research, a national study of parental involvement including trends, status and effects on school success. In addition she has coauthored a book chapter, “Resilience and opportunity: Lessons from the U.S. gulf coast after Katrina and Rita,” and a foundation review research article, “Strategies for impacting change in communities of color.”
Prior to joining the Kellogg Foundation in May 2002, Washington was chief executive officer of The Greater East St. Louis Community Fund. At The Fund, she provided strategic and programmatic grantmaking leadership in the areas of community and economic development, education, environmental justice, leadership development and community engagement. Earlier, she was executive director and community organizer for the New Spirit Organizing Office of East St. Louis, where she provided in-depth community engagement leadership along with neighborhood leaders in addressing social, political and economic inequities.
Washington earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in public policy and administration, both from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She was a doctoral candidate at St. Louis University, where she studied organizational theory and development. Washington holds a doctorate in educational leadership and organizational analysis from Western Michigan University.
In addition, she has served as a director of the Metropolitan Association of Philanthropy, cochair of the St. Louis Nonprofit Services Consortium and as a member of the East St. Louis Enterprise Zone Community Development Committee. She also has been involved with the East St. Louis Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She is currently a board member of the Association of Black Foundation Executives, Women’s Funding Network, Living Cities and GenerationOn. She was the inaugural recipient of the of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy’s (APIP) 2012 Banyan Tree Award for her extensive work and support of community philanthropy initiatives across the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
Washington supports the president and CEO in advancing the development, implementation and oversight of quality improvement and organizational performance initiatives. She is responsible for ensuring improvement, integration and alignment of a wide range of functions that exist to support operations and grantmaking, as well as evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of organization-wide practices.
Previously, Washington served as director for the Family Economic Security team at the foundation. She has also served as deputy director of the foundation’s Education & Learning team and program director for philanthropy and volunteerism. Washington has more than 15 years of experience managing national initiatives and leading nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. She brings extensive experience and knowledge in organizing communities for comprehensive change initiatives that include improving economic security of low-income families, community economic development, educational outcomes and capacity building and strategy development for nonprofit organizations. She has provided thought leadership and research in the areas of parental involvement in education, philanthropic engagement and place-based change initiatives. Major contributions in these areas include published research, a national study of parental involvement including trends, status and effects on school success. In addition she has coauthored a book chapter, “Resilience and opportunity: Lessons from the U.S. gulf coast after Katrina and Rita,” and a foundation review research article, “Strategies for impacting change in communities of color.”
Prior to joining the Kellogg Foundation in May 2002, Washington was chief executive officer of The Greater East St. Louis Community Fund. At The Fund, she provided strategic and programmatic grantmaking leadership in the areas of community and economic development, education, environmental justice, leadership development and community engagement. Earlier, she was executive director and community organizer for the New Spirit Organizing Office of East St. Louis, where she provided in-depth community engagement leadership along with neighborhood leaders in addressing social, political and economic inequities.
Washington earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in public policy and administration, both from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She was a doctoral candidate at St. Louis University, where she studied organizational theory and development. Washington holds a doctorate in educational leadership and organizational analysis from Western Michigan University.
In addition, she has served as a director of the Metropolitan Association of Philanthropy, cochair of the St. Louis Nonprofit Services Consortium and as a member of the East St. Louis Enterprise Zone Community Development Committee. She also has been involved with the East St. Louis Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She is currently a board member of the Association of Black Foundation Executives, Women’s Funding Network, Living Cities and GenerationOn. She was the inaugural recipient of the of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy’s (APIP) 2012 Banyan Tree Award for her extensive work and support of community philanthropy initiatives across the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.