5 minute read
LaSandra Gaddy: Getting to Know Our President and CEO
Describing yourself isn’t always easy. But LaSandra Gaddy is proud to own some labels: a CEO, a Black woman, a woman of faith and, importantly, a wife, mother and grandmother full of joy and love for her family. As she steps into her newest role as president and CEO of Grand Rapids Community Foundation, LaSandra is focused on listening and carefully evaluating what is, so that together we can make strides toward a more equitable community. She brings personal and professional experience to the role, which she sees as an opportunity to shape impact in our community and inspire others.
LaSandra grew through the ranks of the banking industry, before transitioning into nonprofit leadership. She didn’t imagine herself as a CEO, but several women in her life from diverse backgrounds saw her potential and encouraged her to see what they saw. Today, as president and CEO of Michigan’s oldest community foundation, LaSandra hopes to be that encouragement for other women.
We don't often see Black and brown women in leadership positions at foundation levels,” she said. “Representation is important and it matters. When young people can see, they can dream. I hope me being in this position will cause other young women to say, ‘Oh, so can I. And so will I.’
An Insider View
LaSandra, who served as CEO of Women’s Resource Center for seven years and in other nonprofit executive leadership roles before that, sees her background as an “insider” helping her identify the impact the Community Foundation can make. One of the things that drew her to this position was a tough conversation with the Community Foundation team about a grant process that was creating barriers.
This was a couple of years ago,” LaSandra said. “They invited my feedback, and after our conversation, said ‘we agree and we are not going to only change this for you, but it's going to be changed for other organizations.’
Focused on its North Star, the Community Foundation has explored what an inclusive economy and thriving community looks like, interrogating, testing and learning from mistakes. LaSandra shares this attitude—being unafraid to evaluate, challenge, adapt and change to make positive impact for the future.
I imagine a community where ALL have the opportunity to prosper,” she said. “I imagine a community that doesn't only talk about equitable and inclusive opportunities, but that lives it out.
The Community Foundation has a legacy of impact in Kent County, shaped by the investments of many partners—some for decades. LaSandra plans to take learning from and with partners one day at a time, listening to both positive feedback and opportunities of improvement before establishing priorities or making changes.
We don't want to drag our feet, but it is incredibly important to listen and seek understanding first,” LaSandra said. “I believe that once the voices of our team, our community, our donors and volunteers are all unpacked, there's going to be so many commonalities. And the synergy is going to bubble. We’ll apply that feedback and learning, and our North Star is going to illuminate.
Shaped By Her Early Years
LaSandra has a special appreciation for the hidden figures in a community—those who quietly give of what they have. Her earliest examples of “hidden figure philanthropists” were her own parents. Raising six children in Detroit, LaSandra’s dad worked in the auto industry while her mom operated a childcare center in the family’s home. At times, they relied on social or public services to help make ends meet. Their example of generosity included sharing groceries with neighbors and supporting their church, shaping LaSandra’s sense of faith and generosity. She sees this in many communities where giving from your heart is just as impactful, which is the essence of philanthropy—the love of humanity.
I'm proud of the very, very humble beginnings that I had,” LaSandra said. “I have experience living paycheck to paycheck. I have a lived experience of the transportation barriers and seeking affordable and safe childcare for my own family. I think of those experiences as a setup for my life today and my commitment to the people in our community who we're supporting and serving. Our work needs to not just be in service to them, but it also needs to be informed by them. We know that people closest to the pain are closest to the solutions. That's our commitment to equity in action.
From her early life, to raising a family, putting down roots and growing an executive career, LaSandra’s experiences have called her to this moment and this role. She believes in the importance of the Community Foundation, has personal experience that drives her and shapes her understanding and doesn’t shy away from the challenges that will come with leading an institution into its second century of service and impact. LaSandra is ready to lead the Community Foundation with and for all of the greater Grand Rapids community.
