Kelsey Perdue: Local Leadership from Global Experience

Kelsey Perdue personifies the phrase “thinking global, acting local.” Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Perdue went on to graduate from Howard University in Washington D.C. and later receive a Spanish language studies certificate from the Autonomous University in Barcelona. After spending a year teaching in the Dominican Republic, she returned to Grand Rapids. For as long as she could remember, Perdue noticed glaring disparities in opportunities and outcomes, most often along racial and economic lines, in her hometown and throughout the world. Global patterns of injustice inspired her to focus on combating social ills and promoting equity through local policy change. She has since supported successful campaigns to increase the number of equity-minded officials, policies and practices in Michigan. In her current role as Kids Count in Michigan project director, Perdue helps lawmakers, nonprofits and other stakeholders make data-driven decisions to improve life for children and their families. She joined our current cohort of fellow candidates to share her experiences in personal and professional leadership.