Features

For those who don’t know you, tell us a little about your background.

I’ve been working to fund social movements and safety net programs for a little under two decades. In the broadest sense, I’m concerned about making the world more equitable and just. I studied gender and social policy at the London School of Economics and NYU and have served at organizations working at the local, national, and international levels. For the past five years and a half years, I’ve been with Planned Parenthood’s national office, working with some of our biggest philanthropic partners to fund both healthcare work throughout the Federation, as well as the advocacy and electoral work that makes it possible for Planned Parenthood to provide healthcare in a supportive environment, unimpeded by politics or extremist ideologies. 

What are you most looking forward to about reviewing Anthem Awards entries?

I’m looking for entries that feel authentic and meaningfully engage with impacted communities. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests and the #MeToo movement in recent years, a lot of companies and organizations gave these issues lip service, without making any real attempts to change the status quo. I’m also just looking to be inspired and find entries that expand my awareness. 

What does it take for a project or campaign to cause real-world change?

For me, it usually comes down to the strength of the storytelling. Does a story present a problem, as well as a solution? Is there a role for the audience to play? Does it feel authentic in representing impacted individuals and communities? It’s part science, part art, and if I could figure out a formula I would probably be in a very different role than the one I am in now! 

How does your work at Planned Parenthood Federation of America support your mission?

My work is all about redistributing resources to advance equity in healthcare. As someone who has needed a lot of healthcare in my life, I believe at my core that people deserve care that is accessible, timely, affordable (or better yet, free), and provided in a manner that respects the dignity, identity, and autonomy of every individual. That is so far from the reality for most people in this country. 

Bonus: What’s your favorite purpose-driven project or mission-driven campaign right now, and why?

I’ve been very inspired by the work of Reverend William Barber II and the Poor People’s Campaign, an effort to continue the later work of Dr. MLK Jr.  to advance economic justice and build the political power of the poor. They do an amazing job at connecting the various issues that impact low-income folks including healthcare, environmental issues & climate change, voting rights, racism, gender discrimination, etc., within a faith-based framework.