Higher Heights for America Board Chair Carol McDonald is a seasoned communications professional with over 20 years of experience in communications strategy, issue advocacy, electoral campaigns and power-building. In 2015 she launched Meridian Solutions, a social impact communications firm grounded in the framework of intersectionality. McDonald is also a principal at 76 Words, a Democratic media and strategy firm that develops television, online and digital advertising for progressive candidates, party committees, ballot initiatives and issue-advocacy organizations.
Prior to her current work, McDonald spent a decade leading organizing and advocacy work at Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF). She founded the organization’s strategic partnerships department and developed a successful model for authentic engagement with communities of colors. She also managed electoral and issue campaigns for Planned Parenthood, including the field campaign around passage of the Affordable Care Act.
In 2007, McDonald worked with Hillary Clinton’s historic presidential campaign, where she served as deputy political director in Iowa and worked with top-tier surrogates in several primary and caucus states.
In addition to chairing the Higher Heights for America board, McDonald is an advisor to the National Birth Equity Collaborative and board chair of the Religious Institute, a multi-faith organizations advocating for sexual, gender, and reproductive health, education and justice in faith communities and society.