Lulete Mola is the co-founder and first president of the Philanthropic Collective to Combat Anti-Blackness & Realize Racial Justice and is committed to social change that is intersectional, centers dignity, and led by communities most impacted. Most recently, as the chief strategy and innovation officer at the Women's Foundation of Minnesota, Mola put this commitment into action as the lead strategist and co-visionary of community investments, field-building programming, strategic communications, and bold fundraising that enable large-scale systems change. In this role, Mola also led the Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota, a $10 million public-private partnership to achieve equity in opportunities and improve the lives of Black, Indigenous, and young women of color.
Mola is devoted to engaging in and supporting community organizing, movement building, and work to advance women's political leadership. She is on the Minnesota Council of Foundations Board of Directors, the VoteRunLead National Advisory Board, and serves on Minnesota’s Advisory Task Force on Expanding the Economic Security of Women. A summa cum laude graduate of the U of M, Mola also is the recipient of the 2020 SOAR fellowship with the Aspen Institute Forum on Women and Girls, Humanity in Action Fellowship, Ibrahim Leadership and Dialogue Project Fellowship, and the Scholarly Excellence in Equity and Diversity Award.
What is one significant event or relationship that you had in CLA that contributed to or continues to influence your life as a changemaker?
Distinguished scholar and trailblazing agent of change John Wright (MA ‘71, English; PhD ‘77) has been named a recipient of the University's Outstanding Achievement Award.
