ABOUT US

Created For Cross-Sector Leaders Who Believe Growth Is Never Finished.

Our Story

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LeaderIn, now independent, was incubated by The Bridgespan Group, a global social impact advisory firm (formerly a part of Bain & Company) and was born from an observation that across industries, leaders face similar challenges – as their responsibilities expand, their opportunities to encounter different perspectives and build relationships with people from different walks of life became increasingly limited.

Today, our country and communities face issues that are cross-sectoral, and leaders across business, government, and the social sector face similar complexities. Technology is transforming the way organizations operate, the boundaries between work and home are becoming less defined, and political and social issues increasingly shape the workplace. Leaders are being asked to navigate challenges that previous generations rarely faced.

It became clear that these challenges wouldn't be solved from within a single industry or profession. Leaders needed broader perspectives, trusted relationships, and a community that would continue growing alongside them.

That observation became the foundation for LeaderIn. By intentionally bringing together leaders from business, government, and the social sector, LeaderIn creates opportunities to challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, create collaborations, and build relationships that endure throughout a lifetime of leadership.

Our giraffe symbolizes LeaderIn’s beliefs.

With its unique vantage point, it sees farther while remaining connected to the herd—a reminder that the best leaders pair broad perspective and the long view with deep connection.

Our Vision

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We envision a world where leaders continue to grow throughout their lives—broadening their perspectives, strengthening their character, and building the relationships that help them lead with wisdom, courage, and intention.

As those leaders grow, their influence extends far beyond themselves, shaping stronger organizations, healthier communities, and a more connected society.

MEET THE PEOPLE STEWARDING THE JOURNEY

Leadership Team and Advisory Board

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    Willa Seldon

    Founder and Leader

    Willa Seldon is LeaderIn’s Founder. She also is a partner at The Bridgespan Group, a nonprofit advisor for mission-driven organizations and philanthropists. Previously, Willa was CEO of the Glide Foundation. Her for-profit experience includes being a co-founder and partner of Milepost Ventures and a senior executive of AirTouch Communications. She is a board member of the College Futures Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts and Sutter Health. She is a former Vice-Chair of the Bryn Mawr College Board of Trustees and a former chair of KQED’s Board. Willa has an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, a J.D. from Yale Law School, and an A.B. from Bryn Mawr College.

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    Dan Cardinali

    Advisory Board Member

    Dan Cardinali has spent more than three decades leading purpose-driven institutions and building trust across the nonprofit, philanthropic, government, and business sectors. He led Communities In Schools for nearly two decades, served as President and CEO of Independent Sector, and was a Commissioner on the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. Grounded in Ignatian spirituality and contemplative practice, he cares deeply about how leaders grow and thrive as human beings. He chairs the Fetzer Institute Board, serves on the boards of The Bridgespan Group and Sojourners, and is a Senior Fellow at PolicyLink.

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    Gisele Garraway

    Advisory Board Member

    Gisele Garraway is an innovative, collaborative executive whose career spans Fortune 500 companies, startups, and social-impact organizations. A former Bain consultant and senior leader at Staples, Fidelity, Sephora, and Starfish Initiative, she has led high-performing teams in strategy, business intelligence, operations and P&Ls. As Co-Founder and CEO of ThriveFunds, Gisele built a technology-enabled platform and national partnership network focused on expanding opportunity for working-class families. She brings a distinctive perspective on translating complex challenges into practical strategies, informed by data, customer insight, and human experience. Gisele is passionate about helping organizations and the people leading them to thrive together.

  • Kailesh Karavadra

    Kailesh Karavadra

    Advisory Board Member

    Kailesh, a refugee from Uganda, retired after 36 years as Managing Partner for EY Silicon Valley. As a Chartered Accountant, he holds a bachelor's and master's degree in electronic engineering specializing in AI (1990) and awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Bangor University for his services to business and the community. His favorite quote is: "People don’t care what you know until they know you care." Kailesh is a board member of College Futures Foundation, Search For Common Ground, Valley Humane Society, past Chair of the California Chamber of Commerce, and serves on the boards for the EY Social Justice Fund, Bangor University, United Way Silicon Valley, and America’s National Kidney Foundation.

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    Marco A. Davis

    Advisory Board Member

    Marco A. Davis is President and CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to developing the next generation of Latino leaders®. His past roles include UnidosUS, Ashoka, and New Profit, as well as at AmeriCorps and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics under President Obama. Davis is board vice chair for Hispanics in Philanthropy and board treasurer for the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility. He holds a B.A. in History and Latin American Studies from Yale University, and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

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    Ying McGuire

    Advisory Board Member

    Ying McGuire is the CEO of Cascale, a global nonprofit alliance driving systemic transformation across the consumer goods industry to combat climate change and support decent work. Emigrating to the U.S. with $1,000 and one suitcase, she built a 25-year career spanning Fortune 50 supply chain leadership, mid-market tech global expansion, and national policy advocacy. As the first AAPI CEO of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), she unlocked over $100 billion in growth for diverse businesses through providing access to corporate contracting opportunities and capital. A seasoned board member and trusted government advisor, Ying is a coalition-builder committed to translating shared ambition into measurable impact.

Every Leader's Journey Is Different.

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If you're looking for a community that will challenge your thinking, broaden your perspective, and continue growing alongside you throughout your leadership journey, we invite you to explore LeaderIn.

Learn More →