Role:Senior Equity Officer at Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation

Sherra Bennett is an accomplished nonprofit executive and philanthropic leader with over 15 years of experience advancing community well-being through effective leadership, strategic partnerships, and organizational development. She currently serves as Equity Officer at the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, where she leads the Movement Building, Leadership Development, and Community Change portfolio—supporting Arkansas communities in building long-term resilience and opportunity.

Sherra is native Arkansas, and a proud daughter of the Arkansas Delta region, Sherra brings a principled approach to her work grounded in both professional rigor and a deep commitment to public service. Her career began as a Field Organizer with a presidential campaign, where she developed a passion for civic engagement, equity, and service. Since then, she has held senior roles including Nonprofit Founder, Executive Director, Director of Operations, Program Director, and Principal Consultant, guiding mission-driven organizations in achieving measurable outcomes across sectors such as human services, youth development, and grassroots leadership.

Sherra is a two-time graduate of the University of Michigan, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Her professional ethos is shaped by this interdisciplinary foundation—blending strategic communication with ethical, community-based social work practices. Her work has extended across the U.S. and internationally, with impact efforts in Africa, Germany, Italy, Haiti, and The Netherlands.

Sherra is also a Presidential Leadership Scholar and a Grantmakers for Southern Progress Fellow. She has been recognized as a “Woman to Watch” for her contributions to advancing leadership and community solutions. Her leadership style is defined by authenticity, collaboration, and the belief that sustainable change stems from investing in people, institutions, and ideas that uplift the common good.