Saran D. White, MPA

Chief Executive Officer

Saran White is a mission-driven strategist with over twenty years of experience strengthening the capacity of organizations and systems that increase equity, access and justice in under-resourced communities. With an impressive background in philanthropy, K-12 education, civic engagement and organizational effectiveness, Saran has worked with renowned nonprofits, foundations and thought leaders to effectively implement innovative strategies through collaborative projects and grantmaking.

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As a leader in change-management and the inaugural chief executive of the Leever Foundation — a thirty year old foundation doing place-based grantmaking in Waterbury, Connecticut — Saran works in collaboration with the Board of Trustees to design, structure and implement a more intentional, vision-aligned, equity-driven and community-informed agenda. Likewise, she partners with both traditional and nontraditional community leaders to assess needs and make recommendations in service of the foundation’s revised strategy.

Prior to her leadership as CEO of the Leever Foundation, Ms. White was Director for the DC Office of the Corporation for National and Community Service (currently known as AmeriCorps), where she directed a multi-million dollar portfolio that primarily focused on anti-poverty initiatives. Prior to CNCS, Saran directed strategic transformation projects for the DC public school system and served as the executive director of a family foundation working to improve the foster care system. During her time in California, Saran developed and led a groundbreaking, statewide civic engagement initiative in collaboration with the James Irvine Foundation.

An avid lifelong learner, Ms. White has completed several post-graduate fellowships, including the American Express Leadership Academy, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation entrepreneurship training and the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs. Saran holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University and a Master of Public Administration degree from CUNY Baruch School of Public and International Affairs. Saran enjoys hiking, volunteering, B&W photography and exploring diverse cultures through music, art, writings, ceremony, food and dance.