The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund is excited to announce the recent hire of Calondra McArthur as our new Director of Strategic Communications. As a member of the foundation’s senior leadership team, Calondra will lead the organization’s communications strategy and expand capacity to support the Memorial Fund’s mission to achieve equity in education by working with those affected and inspiring all to end racism and poverty.
The new role reflects our commitment to strengthening how we share our work, partner with communities, and contribute to broader public conversations, as the Memorial Fund is undergoing a community-informed strategy evolution process that will determine its strategic direction, core priorities, and how it can have the most impact in service of the communities it serves.
“Effective communication is essential to advancing movements for justice and deepening our contributions to meaningful change,” our CEO, Dr. Gislaine Ngounou, shares. “As we continue to grow and evolve, elevating communications as a critical lever ensures that our voice, values, and partnerships are more strategic. Calondra brings the vision and experience needed to help us shape and tell stories with clarity, integrity, and purpose.”
Calondra brings more than 15 years of experience in strategic communications, including having previously served as Director of Communications at the Ms. Foundation for Women and Senior Communications Manager at The Clinton Foundation. Throughout her career, she has led initiatives focused on equity-centered storytelling and amplifying voices of those not heard enough, creating infrastructure, and utilizing communications to support movement-building.
“I am honored to join the Fund at such an important moment,” says Calondra. “Communications isn’t just about visibility—it is about advancing shared understanding and building trust and relationships that move progress forward. I’m excited to support and work with staff, grantee partners, peers, and community leaders to amplify the stories and strategies that are shaping a more just and equitable future.”
Please join us in welcoming Calondra to our team.