Aleda Gagarin

Aleda Gagarin serves as Vice President of Influence and leads thought leadership, strategic coalitions, and campaigns that can shape norms and practices to increase Candid's collective impact across the social sector. She directs the Influence teams, including Communications and Brand Awareness, Development, Partnerships, and Partnership Operations. In close collaboration with the CEO and executive team, Aleda develops an effective strategy for Candid's influence agenda, clearly defining how Candid shows up in the world.

Aleda is passionate about making connections, solving problems, advocating for resources, and shifting power structures. She began her career in advocacy as a program assistant at the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 2004, later served as sales and membership coordinator for Institutional Investor, and worked with North Star Planning and Evaluation Consultants as a researcher. Aleda joined Candid via the Foundation Center in 2013 as a development associate, and with the evolvement of her strong leadership skills, she moved to development manager, director, and senior director of development, and recently was promoted to associate vice president of development.

Aleda holds a B.A. in international studies from American University and a master’s degree in urban planning from Hunter College with a focus on community advocacy. In her spare time, Aleda is active in community and electoral organizing and spends quality time with family.