MDC expands executive leadership team to support growth

MDC has broadened its executive leadership structure in Durham to strengthen operations, external engagement, research, finance and program delivery as the nonprofit prepares for its next phase across the South. The changes align with a three-year strategic planning process and a continued focus on racial and gender equity.

Why it matters: - MDC is adding leadership capacity as it plans for long-term growth and broader impact across the South. - The new structure is designed to improve organizational stewardship, innovation, operational excellence and mission delivery. - MDC is also using the change to reinforce its commitment to racial and gender equity in internal operations, external work, priorities and decision-making.

What happened: - MDC announced an evolved executive leadership structure in Durham, North Carolina, on Sept. 18, 2026. - Jenna Bryant was promoted to Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. - Brandy Bynum Dawson was promoted to Vice President of External Affairs. - Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn, Ed.D., was promoted to Vice President of Research, Learning & Impact. - The expanded executive team also includes Calvin Allen, Vice President of Programs; Joscelyne M. Evans, Ph.D., Vice President of Development; and Mark Motamen, Vice President of Finance.

The details: - Bryant oversees enterprise operations, strategic alignment, organizational performance and cross-functional collaboration. - Bynum Dawson leads communications, brand stewardship, community and stakeholder partnerships, and public policy and government relations. - Blackburn leads evidence, research, learning, evaluation, performance measurement and impact. - Allen continues to lead programmatic vision and portfolio. - Evans leads fundraising and philanthropic strategy. - Motamen leads financial strategy, stewardship, planning, compliance and performance. - The leadership structure groups responsibilities across operations, external affairs, development, finance, programs, and research, learning and impact. - Lakeisha Hood Moise, MDC president and CEO, said the organization is building leadership capacity and coordination to turn strategy into action and prepare for lasting impact across the South.

Between the lines: - The leadership changes come as MDC works through a strategic planning process that will set organizational priorities and direction for the next three years. - The restructuring suggests MDC wants tighter alignment between internal operations and outward-facing work as the organization scales. - The emphasis on equity signals that MDC intends to keep mission and governance priorities tied closely together, not treated as separate tracks.

What's next: - MDC's strategic planning process will shape the nonprofit's priorities and direction over the next three years. - The new executive structure will guide how MDC executes its mission in the South going forward. - Hood Moise said the organization is preparing to meet the future with the leadership, capacity and coordination its mission requires.

The bottom line: - MDC is reshaping its top leadership to support growth now and strengthen its ability to deliver impact over time.