Desiré Bennett

She approaches her work and the world with equal parts whimsical hopefulness and cautious cynicism. In her role at DI, she works to look at issues through a social justice lens and bring different aspects of her lived experience to each moment.

Beyond DI, Desiré was named a Leader in Light as part of a cohort exploring the relationship between extremism, antisemitism, racism, and inclusive democracy. She is also a United State of Women Ambassador, a collective of women across the country advancing gender equity in our communities. She serves on several community boards, including the WCPO 9 News Community Advisory Board, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Community Advisory Committee, and the Women’s Fund’s Leadership Council. She is a former commissioner on the Hamilton County Commission on Women & Girls and a former MLK Coalition vice president.

Desiré values deep and authentic relationships and is grateful for humor and love when it shows up in her work and life.

Creative Outlets:  Traveling, brisk walks or runs, being outside in general, or ice skating, and Instagram 
Causes: gender equity, pay equity, women’s and girls’ empowerment, racial justice, racial equity