April 2025
by Tanisha Tate Woodson PhD, ETB LEEAD Interim Program Director

Leading in Changing Times: Reflections from LEEAD’s Interim Director

When I joined the Expanding the Bench® (ETB) community as a LEEAD Scholar in 2019, I couldn’t have anticipated the journey ahead. The Leaders in Equitable Evaluation and Diversity (LEEAD) program represented a beacon of hope for many of us striving to strengthen culturally responsive and equitable evaluation (CREE)​​​​​​​ practices. My cohort entered the field with determination, eager to make a difference.

As I completed my practicum and culminated from the program, the world was experiencing a prfound shift. The 2020 racial reckoning brought unprecedented attention to systemic inequities, and organizations across sectors pledged commitments to equity and anti-racism. For evaluators trained in CREE practices, it felt like the moment we had prepared for — our expertise and perspective was in demand.

Evaluation itself began to confront its own biases. Many institutions sought more inclusive methods that centered marginalized voices. Traditional approaches no longer felt sufficient, and people were looking for new frameworks. As LEEAD graduates, we found ourselves at the forefront of a professional movement, equipped with the training to help guide this transformation.

Now is 2025, five years later in a dramatically shifting landscape, I now serve as the Interim Director of LEEAD. The political pendulum has swung, and initiatives focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion face increasing scrutiny and opposition. Work that was eagerly embraced just a few years ago now requires defense and justification. Terms like “culturally responsive” and “equitable evaluation” that once opened doors now sometimes close them.

As we prepare to welcome our next cohort of LEEAD Scholars, I find myself focused on building structures that can withstand political fluctuations. Our commitment to advancing social liberties and equitable evaluation practices cannot be dependent on favorable political winds.
This means:

• Strengthening the evidence base for culturally responsive evaluation
• Building broader coalitions across diverse stakeholder groups
• Articulating the value of equitable evaluation in terms of validity, accuracy, and usefulness
• Embedding our principles deeply within evaluation practice standards
• Creating sustainable mentorship networks that can support emerging evaluators through challenging times

The current climate has not diminished my commitment to this work—if anything, it has strengthened it. I am reminded that meaningful change has never come easily or without resistance. Each LEEAD Scholar represents a long-term investment in a more equitable evaluation field, regardless of short-term political trends.

To our incoming LEEAD Scholars—you’re arriving at a crucial moment. Your voice, your perspective, your presence matters more than ever. The path might not be as smooth as it once seemed, but our destination remains unchanged: a world where evaluation is a tool for justice, not just measurement.

“The ultimate measure of a leader is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand in times of challenge and controversy.” These words from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. resonate deeply with me as we navigate this challenging landscape.

True leadership emerges most powerfully not when the path is clear, but when it is contested. As we continue our vital work in culturally responsive and equitable evaluation, we will not be deterred by the noise around us. Instead, we will use it as a reminder of why our mission matters—and forge ahead with even greater clarity, commitment, and conviction.

The tides of public opinion may ebb and flow, but the need for evaluation that centers justice and equity remains constant. And so shall we.