<p>Vanessa Priya Daniel is an award-winning leader for racial and gender justice who helps organizations rethink power, leadership, and impact in an era of rapid social and political change. Her work sits at the intersection of inclusive leadership, democracy, philanthropy, and organizational effectiveness—offering leaders practical ways to build trust, resilience, and results in complex environments.</p><p>A seasoned keynote speaker known for blending sharp analysis with humor and warmth, Vanessa draws on more than 20 years as a labor and community organizer to connect big-picture ideas to real-world leadership challenges. She is the author of <em>Unrig the Game (</em>2025), which distills lessons from women-of-color-led movements into actionable insights for leaders across sectors.</p><p>Vanessa founded and served for 17 years as executive director of the Groundswell Fund, a leading philanthropic organization that moved more than $100 million to over 200 grassroots groups through an innovative, movement-led governance model. Her leadership has been recognized by<em> Inside Philanthropy, The Chronicle of Philanthropy,</em> and Smith College, and her writing has appeared in <em>The New York Times</em> and other major outlets.</p><p>Today, she delivers keynotes, workshops, and strategic advising for corporations, associations, colleges, universities, and foundations seeking to lead with clarity, navigate polarization, and align values with measurable impact.</p>
Award-winning leader for racial and gender justice and author of Unrig the Game helping organizations build power, purpose, and impact
<ul><li><strong>Unrigging Power: Leadership Lessons from Women of Color for Building Stronger Organizations, Movements, and Democracies</strong></li><li><br></li><li><strong>Key areas addressed include:</strong><ul><li>The 3 Leadership Superpowers Women of Color Bring to Change-Making</li><li>How women of color lead with clarity, adaptability, and moral courage—and how these capabilities can be adopted by leaders across sectors to navigate polarization and uncertainty.</li><li>The Top 5 Barriers Women of Color Face in Leadership—and How They Navigate Them</li><li>What these barriers reveal about today’s leadership systems, how peer support sustains resilience, and how allies can show up in practical, meaningful ways.</li><li>Healing Organizational Dysfunction Without Losing Accountability</li><li>Lessons from movement leaders on leading with empathy, care, and sustainability—while maintaining boundaries, discipline, and focus on mission and frontline communities.</li><li>Why Grassroots Power Is Essential to Defeating Authoritarianism</li><li>How mass participation and grassroots organizing strengthen institutions, prevent internal conflict, and keep organizations aligned with their values and goals.</li><li>Building Beloved Community to Sustain People and Purpose</li><li>Why authentic connection, trust, and community are essential strategies—not soft skills—for sustaining leaders, organizations, and movements over time.</li><li>Customized for Your Audience and Objectives</li><li>Vanessa works closely with event partners to tailor her remarks or workshops to audience needs—whether corporate, association, college, or nonprofit—aligning content with your goals, industry context, and desired outcomes.</li></ul></li></ul>