Equal Measure is thrilled to announce the appointment of Leon D. Caldwell, PhD, as its inaugural Chief Strategy and Equity Officer. Caldwell has 30 years of experience in philanthropy, education, public health, and health care. His tenure began May 13, 2024.

With expertise in health equity, adolescent development, systemic issues affecting boys and men of color, implementation science, and place-based evaluation and research, Caldwell has a track record of designing strategies that advance racial equity and social justice. He will lead Equal Measure’s integrated efforts in project excellence, thought leadership, and business development to deepen the organization’s commitment to racial equity. His guidance of cross-project quality assurance will ensure relevant methodological approaches for project teams and elevate emerging trends and knowledge to sharpen Equal Measure’s frameworks, tools, and point of view.

“I’m very excited to welcome Dr. Caldwell to Equal Measure. He brings a rich background in equity-focused research, evaluation, and community engagement as a scholar-activist and entrepreneur,” said Equal Measure President and CEO Leon T. Andrews, Jr. “His leadership will strengthen our services and expand our innovation in evaluation, strategy, and communications, ultimately to advance social justice with our clients and partners. I look forward to collaborating with Leon to carry out our bold vision and strategic plan that center racial equity.”

Prior to Equal Measure, Caldwell served as Senior Director for Health Equity Strategies and Innovation at the American Hospital Association, where he designed the association’s Health Equity Roadmap—a framework to accelerate equity and inclusion in hospitals and health care systems. Caldwell is the founder and CEO of Ujima Developers, LLC, a social impact real estate development company, and Strategic Learning Partners, LLC, which focuses on social innovation design and evaluation.

Caldwell’s philanthropic roles include leadership positions in evaluation and research at the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the DeBruce Foundation. Additionally, he has held academic positions at Rhodes College, the University of Memphis, and was tenured at the rank of associate professor at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, contributing to research and teaching in counseling psychology, social work, and African American studies.

“I am honored to join such a dynamic team that is committed to transforming systems, particularly with an explicit equity focus,” Caldwell said. “I have already seen how Equal Measure’s four decades of partnership with clients has accelerated change across the social sector. This is a pivotal time to join the organization as it strengthens its focus on racial equity, and I’m excited to contribute to its vision of race no longer predicting life outcomes.”

Caldwell holds a doctorate in counseling psychology from Penn State as well as a master’s in education and a bachelor’s in economics, both from Lehigh University. He was born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and now resides in Howard County, Maryland.