MDC Announces Executive Leadership Team as Organization Looks to the Future

MDC President & CEO Lakeisha Hood Moise recently announced an evolved executive leadership structure designed to strengthen stewardship, innovation, operational excellence, and mission delivery across the organization.

The leadership structure includes the promotions of Jenna Bryant to Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer; Brandy Bynum Dawson to Vice President of External Affairs; and Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn, Ed.D., to Vice President of Research, Learning & Impact.

They join Calvin Allen, Vice President of Programs; Joscelyne M. Evans, Ph.D., Vice President of Development; and Mark Motamen, Vice President of Finance on MDC’s executive leadership team.

“We are building the leadership capacity and coordination needed to turn strategy into action and meet this moment with focus, energy, and confidence, while positioning MDC for lasting impact across the South in the years ahead,” said Hood Moise.

Building Today While Planning for Tomorrow

The leadership evolution comes as MDC undertakes a strategic planning process that will shape the organization’s priorities and direction for the next three years.

MDC’s partners and stakeholders are informing that work with their institutional knowledge, experience, and perspectives. The organization expects to share its finalized strategic plan in the coming months.

The strengthened executive structure provides a foundation for carrying that strategy forward by bringing complementary leadership across operations, external affairs, development, finance, programs, research, learning, and impact.

• Jenna Bryant, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, leads enterprise operations, strategic alignment, and organizational performance, working closely with the President & CEO and executive leadership to strengthen the systems, collaboration, and stewardship necessary for long-term sustainability and mission impact.
• Brandy Bynum Dawson, Vice President of External Affairs, leads MDC’s integrated external engagement strategy, aligning communications, brand stewardship, community and stakeholder partnerships, and public policy and government relations to advance MDC’s mission, expand its influence, and strengthen relationships across the South.
• Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn, Ed.D., Vice President of Research, Learning & Impact, leads MDC’s enterprise approach to evidence, learning, research, evaluation, and impact, helping ensure that organizational strategy and decision-making are informed by rigorous analysis, community-informed learning, and measurable progress.
• Calvin Allen, Vice President of Programs, guides MDC’s programmatic vision and portfolio, helping ensure programs remain high-quality, responsive to community needs, aligned with MDC’s mission and values, and positioned for measurable impact.
• Joscelyne M. Evans, Ph.D., Vice President of Development, leads MDC’s fundraising and philanthropic strategy, strengthening donor and funder relationships and the systems that support the organization’s long-term financial sustainability.
• Mark Motamen, Vice President of Finance, provides leadership for MDC’s financial strategy, stewardship, planning, compliance, and performance while supporting organizational decision-making and long-term sustainability.

Continuity of Mission, Evolution in How We Lead

While MDC’s leadership structure is evolving, its mission remains constant: shaping a South where all people thrive.

Across their respective roles, members of the executive leadership team share responsibility for organizational health, collaboration, and mission delivery. They also carry forward MDC’s commitment to embedding racial and gender equity across its internal practices, external work, decision-making, and priorities.

Together, the team brings complementary expertise and a shared responsibility for moving MDC’s work forward with clarity and intention.

The leadership announcement is one part of a broader period of growth and planning for MDC. In the months ahead, MDC will share more about the leaders helping guide the organization, including new members of its Board of Directors, as well as the strategic direction that will shape the next phase of MDC’s work.

Topics: Leadership, MDC News