Donna Daniels is deeply engaged with the challenge of building liberatory frameworks that enable all people to thrive. Trained as a cultural anthropologist, she has traveled a fruitful path from higher education through venture capital, market research, social entrepreneurship, and philanthropy to her current work as CEO at Possibility Labs. Donna draws on a history of success at developing and executing initiatives that advance racial and economic justice. At Possibility Labs, she is excited to grow the community of innovative projects, community-focused resourcing initiatives, and progressive donors. Known as a creative and agile leader, Donna leans into collaboration, thoughtfulness, honesty, and humor as she guides teams, advances missions, and facilitates growth.
Before joining Possibility Labs, she served as vice president of integrated capitals and communities at the Heron Foundation and vice president of philanthropic services at RSF Social Finance. Donna currently serves as a Just Economy Institute advisor and a member of the investment committee at World Education Services. Donna holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from Stanford University, an M.A. in African American Studies from Yale University, and a B.A. in sociology from Haverford College.
Areas of Expertise:
- Liberatory/reparative philanthropy
- Qualitative research & cultural analysis
- Participatory grantmaking
- Leadership development
