Damien Conners is senior program officer for Defending Inclusive Democracy at the Kettering Foundation, where he leads initiatives aimed at strengthening public commitment to inclusive democracy, recognizing anti-democratic threats, and motivating civic action. His work includes managing external partnerships, collaborating across the foundation’s focus areas, and representing the foundation in various public and professional settings.

Conners brings extensive experience in community development and racial and social equity to his work. Previously, he served as executive director and chief operating officer of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, where he worked on advancing civil rights and social justice initiatives.

He also held leadership roles at the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, where he oversaw partnerships with organizations such as the Hawaii Department of Education, Kamehameha Schools, United Way, and other notable organizations. Prior to that, he was vice president of operations and corporate development at Bizzell Group LLC, a consulting firm focused on building sustainable communities. Additionally, Conners served as executive director of Excel Bridgeport, a community organizing nonprofit dedicated to advancing educational equity in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Conners holds several degrees, including a BA in political science with minors in music and Africana studies from Ramapo College of New Jersey, an MDiv with a concentration in women’s studies and the Black Church from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a ThM focusing on womanist theologies, race, religion, and politics from Emory University. He also holds a certificate in nonviolent conflict reconciliation from the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies. Conners has received numerous awards for his leadership in advancing civil rights, social equity, and nonviolence.