We’re Excited to Announce Our Next Guest! Episode 014 of the Dear BLK ED Podcast: “Reimagining Leadership from the Inside Out” with Regina Salliey Cooper will be available on Spotify on May 13!
About Regina Salliey Cooper:
Regina Salliey Cooper, MSW, is the founding principal of R. Salliey Philanthropic Advisors, where she specializes in helping organizations and individuals navigate complex challenges through smart strategy, seamless execution, and measurable results. With a background in social work, Regina brings a unique combination of heart, strategy, and real-time problem-solving to her work. She helps leaders elevate their presence, align their actions, and perform at their highest potential—creating a lasting, visible impact.
At the helm of her firm, Regina and her partners provide behind-the-scenes solutions to a wide range of organizations—including philanthropies, nonprofits, and NGOs—offering strategic consulting and organizational development services that create long-term impact. By applying her strategic superpower, she enables organizations to strengthen leadership, build organizational resilience, and improve outcomes through a mix of consulting, capacity-building, and technical assistance.
Regina is also the co-creator of the Black Girls Global Exchange, a global ambassador program that connects middle and high school girls in the United States, Eswatini, and South Africa through leadership development and cross-cultural exchange. Her career has been shaped by a deep commitment to social impact. Prior to founding her firm, Regina served as a Program Associate at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, co-managing the Foundation’s Youth Family Economic Success portfolio and advancing postsecondary pathways for youth ages 16–24 disconnected from school and work. She also served as Deputy Director of the Maryland Department of Human Resources’ Office of Grants Management, where she managed a $24 million budget and led initiatives focused on food access, victim services, fatherhood, and housing stability.
Regina has earned numerous accolades throughout her career, including Social Worker of the Year (Maryland Department of Human Resources, 2010), Daily Record Leading Women - 40 Under 40 (2011), and the OASIS Social Work Trailblazer Award (University of Maryland, 2018). She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work, where she served as adjunct faculty and as Vice President of the alumni advisory board. Regina is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and has been active on several local and national boards of directors. A Baltimore native, she is one of four daughters, a proud wife, and a mother.
What to Expect:
Inspirational Stories: Hear from seasoned leaders and emerging voices, sharing their journeys, challenges, and triumphs.
Expert Insights: Gain valuable advice and perspectives from industry experts and thought leaders in the non-profit sector.
Community Connection: Feel the pulse of a vibrant community, fostering collaboration, support, and shared growth.
In this conversation, we explore what it means to lead from the inside out, centering emotional awareness, authenticity, and soul-full strategy as the foundation for lasting impact. Regina reflects on her journey from public service to philanthropic advising, the weight of leadership, and how to stay grounded while creating change.
Explore Past Episodes Here: Dear BLK ED on Spotify!