Movement leaders and grassroots partners share their support and confidence for new Executive Director Carmen Daugherty as she steps into this role with a bold vision for building the future, not just in moments of crisis but in the everyday, difficult work of building power.
“This moment calls for all of us to be clear about what we’re fighting for and courageous enough to build toward it together. I’m thrilled to welcome Carmen Daugherty as Advancement Project’s new Executive Director, and I know she will lead with the vision, conviction, and deep commitment to community that this moment demands.”
Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson, Chair of Advancement Project Board of Directors
“I am thrilled to learn that the Advancement Project has selected Carmen as its next leader. She is exactly the right strategic, clear leader we need in this chaotic moment in our country. With her in leadership at AP, I have great confidence that the movement will not only endure, it will advance.”
Vince Warren, Executive Director, Center for Constitutional Rights
“There’s no one better suited to lead the Advancement Project into its next chapter. Carmen has spent her career fighting for the communities AP exists to serve. As we face escalating threats to Black and brown communities and their right to public education, the right to protest, and free and fair elections, Carmen will bring the vision, strategy and movement roots necessary to meet the moment and secure a brighter and better tomorrow.”
Nathaniel Chioke Williams, PhD, Treasurer of Advancement Project Board of Directors
“Carmen is exactly the kind of principled leader our movement needs. She leads with a deep commitment to justice, is firmly rooted in community, and is funny as hell. Her appointment as Executive Director is a tremendous win for the Advancement Project and the broader movement, and I am thrilled to see her step into this role.”
Jessica Sandoval, National Director, Unlock the Box Campaign
“I have had the extraordinary privilege of working alongside Carmen over the past several years, watching her courage, compassion and unwavering commitment to racial justice. I am proud to see her step in to the leadership role at Advancement Project, not simply to continue the work we built together, but to imagine what is possible and lead us into the next chapter with her own bold vision. I am could not be more excited for Advancement Project and our movement!”
Judith Browne Dianis, Former Executive Director of Advancement Project
“As Advancement Project continues the sacred mission of building a caring and justice society across America, I have confidence and hope for the future that our new Director Carmen Daughter, will not only carry out our mission, but that she will be a collaborative community and movement partner. Carmen’s belief in an unwavering, unapologetic justice movement and her belief in partner collaboration is her superpower. Carmen is the strategic leader we need for the challenges and the promise we have ahead of us to advance and empower our communities and to build the community and world we all deserve.”
Arlene Holt Baker, Board of Directors of Advancement Project and Advancement Project Action Fund, AFL-CIO Executive Vice-President Emerita
“I am excited to congratulate and celebrate Carmen in her new role as Executive Director of the Advancement Project. I know she will excel as Executive Director of AP with her vast experience in movement building, knowledge of advocacy, and legal expertise. I look forward to continuing to work with her moving forward.”
Letha Muhammad, Co-Executive Director, Education Justice Alliance and Education Justice Action
“Having known both Carmen and the Advancement Project for years, I am so excited to see what lies ahead for the organization. She’s a visionary thinker, creative advocate, and authentic relationship-builder. I’ve seen her be tireless in her work to advance a multiracial democracy and build a better world for communities of color, especially young people. And somehow she’s able to do it all while maintaining her whip-smart sense of humor.”
Katayoon Majd, Director of Strategy, Abundant Futures Fund
“I am excited to see Carmen step into the role of the ED of the Advancement Project. Carmen has been a tireless advocate for justice and fairness for children involved in the criminal legal system. During this critical moment, Carmen’s leadership will help further the Advancement Project’s mission to create a multiracial democracy that gives all young people a chance to succeed.”
Mishi Faruqee, Director, Andrus Family Fund
“Carmen, a clear-eyed servant leader, has an informed passion for racial justice. I admire Carmen’s kind, peaceful aura that blends well with her keen operational and organizational awareness, policy chops, and orientation towards action. She will be an exciting quiet storm in movement work.”
Eddie Hailes, Former Managing Director of Advancement Project
“Carmen Daugherty was made to lead in this moment. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a combination of unmatched subject-matter expertise, a fidelity to principles of inclusion, and an abiding love for the people and communities she serves. She has also shown a deep understanding of Advancement Project’s unique brand of movement lawyering and leadership. Those traits are very much needed in this time of acute challenge to racial justice and multiracial democracy. I am so excited to have Carmen at the helm of this important organization and I look forward to working with her side by side in the ongoing fight for justice.”
Damon T. Hewitt, President & Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
“CJSF is overjoyed at Carmen’s appointment as ED of the Advancement Project. Carmen’s wealth of experience and strategic leadership at AP makes her the ideal leader to steward the organization. Her decades long commitment to advocacy and legal expertise, coupled with a deep knowledge of how to partner with community organizers in education, youth, and immigration justice- will be a bulwark of support and defense for the human rights of youth of color across all systems impacting them. AP couldn’t be in better hands. Onwards Carmen- we support you wholeheartedly and know you will further deepen and elevate Judith’s dedicated service to new heights!”
Manuela Arciniegas, Executive Director, Communities for Just Schools Fund