Vanessa Priya Daniel

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.

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 Unrig the Game (2025), which distills lessons from women-of-color-led movements into actionable insights for leaders across sectors.

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 Inside Philanthropy, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and Smith College, and her writing has appeared in The New York Times and other major outlets.

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.