In this episode, Laura sits down with Alysia Lee, President & CEO of the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, to explore what it means to lead through community, creativity, and shared power.
Alysia brings a unique leadership lens shaped by her background as a musician and composer, offering insight into how artistic practice (listening, collaboration, and responsiveness) translates into her approach as a first-time CEO. At the heart of the conversation is Alysia's approach to Ubuntu community-led leadership—a model that challenges traditional, expert-driven systems and instead centers collective wisdom, shared ownership, and trust. She shares how community voice is not just consulted, but embedded in decision-making at the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, including real examples of how community input has shaped funding strategies and organizational direction.
Alysia also offers a candid look at the inner work required to lead differently. Moving from having the answers to facilitating collective insight requires unlearning, humility, and a willingness to sit in uncertainty. She speaks openly about what it takes to quiet the instinct to control and instead cultivate environments where others can contribute meaningfully.
The conversation also explores the realities of leading within complex stakeholder ecosystems, including youth, community members, funders, and policymakers, and how to navigate differing expectations while maintaining alignment and trust.
About Alysia
Alysia Lee is the President & CEO of the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, where she leads one of the nation's most innovative public philanthropic organizations dedicated to advancing racial equity and youth leadership. Under her leadership, BCYF has transformed traditional grantmaking by centering community voice, investing in grassroots leadership, and designing systems that prioritize justice, sustainability, and abundance.
A nationally recognized thought leader, Alysia works at the intersection of philanthropy, youth development, education, and the arts. She brings a rare blend of operational discipline, visionary thinking, and values-aligned leadership to her work. She has built and managed high-performing teams, navigated complex government partnerships, and launched initiatives that expand access and deepen impact across sectors. During her tenure, BCYF's compliance rate has increased from 30% to over 90%, and the organization launched Baltimore's first-ever Youth Master Plan.
Alysia is the Founder of Sister Cities Girlchoir, an El Sistema-inspired choral program that has empowered hundreds of girls across multiple cities through a blend of musical excellence, social justice, and youth development. She is also a proud Kennedy Center Citizen Artist and an in-demand guest conductor, with recent engagements including the LA Master Chorale, Mendelssohn Chorus, and Boston Children's Chorus. Her choral composition "Say Her Name" is published by Hal Leonard, and she has been commissioned by the Baltimore Choral Arts Society and Portland Lesbian Choir.
She formerly led statewide arts education policy at the Maryland State Department of Education and currently serves on the Board of Chorus America. Alysia is a sought-after national speaker and facilitator, with recent engagements at the U.S. Department of Education, Carnegie Hall, state arts agencies, and universities across the country. As a Black woman leader, she leads with lived experience and a deep commitment to justice, creating space for new models of power and partnership.
Whether managing multimillion-dollar investments or conducting on stage, Alysia is known for turning bold ideas into measurable results. She leads with integrity, builds with courage, and brings people together to do what hasn't been done before.
Connect with Alysia
Website: bcyfund.org
On socials @bcyfund
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysiadlee/
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Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
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