June 12, 2025

Karen Pandy-Cherry, from one NLC alum to another…Congratulations on being voted in as the President & CEO of New Leaders Council and its amazing network. It’s not just a title; it’s a reflection of the trust and deep admiration this community holds for you. And let me just say, it’s about time.

You entered the NLC network through the 2016 Broward Institute and quickly became a force for connection and transformation – serving as a local mentorship chair, LE Trainer, co-founder of the NLC Black Caucus, trained correspondent, and Spark!Talker. In 2021, alumni across the country strongly recommended you for the role of Vice President of Programs, where you applied your skills in strategy and network-building to help professionalize NLC. You knew what our alumni were capable of, and you set out to build the foundation they needed to change the world.

Watching you lead with unapologetic truth, compassion, and clarity over the years has been one of the most affirming things for me not only as a staff member but a member of this network. In spaces that have historically demanded silence in the face of harm, you’ve modeled what it looks like to speak up, and not just speak, but lead with integrity, with your values intact, and with your community always in view. That’s rare. That’s powerful. That’s you.

Now, as President & CEO, we look forward to the mobilization of our alumni, the care and investment of our chapters, and the continued expansion of network-wide support grounded in sustainability and purpose.

That kind of leadership doesn’t happen in isolation, and the team you’ve brought together reflects that same clarity and commitment. It’s been a privilege to work alongside Adela, Ty, Ashley, Charisse, Kyrsten, and Marvin – a dynamic, values-driven group who move this vision forward with intention and heart.

This team has taken on the hard, often unglamorous work of rebuilding systems, pivoting through uncertainty, and creating transparency, not just to work better, but to reflect the equity and care this network has always deserved. And while at times it felt like we were running on fumes, we stayed grounded in the quiet conviction that our alumni deserved more. Because we knew then, just like we know now, that our alumni are the kind of leaders this world needs. And we were always going to show up for them.

Karen, you have held your ground where others wavered, remained transparent where others spun narratives, and built trust where others guarded power. You’ve proven that equity isn’t a buzzword, it’s a daily practice. And you’ve made space for those of us who’ve felt pushed to the margins, not just to be seen, but to lead.

So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for showing us what it looks like to be values-first in rooms that rarely make space for it. Under your leadership, I know NLC will not just continue, it will evolve, deepen, and grow into something even more powerful, mobilizing our alumni in ways that will deepen their impact and broaden our collective reach. You remind us that we don’t have to shrink to lead – we can expand, make room, and bring others with us.

Look how far we’ve come.

With felicidad, pride, and gratitude,
Ambar Mendez
NLC Director of Programs & Operations
NLC Arkansas 2020