Kendra Ross
Personal Profile
Dr. Kendra Janelle Ross is a cultural strategist, award-winning artist, and accomplished executive whose multifaceted career spans the music industry, tech, academia, and community engagement. Known for blending creativity, strategic insight, and operational excellence, Kendra is a powerful force working at the intersection of culture, commerce, and social impact.
A proud Pittsburgh native and NYU alumna, Kendra began her journey in the music industry, working for 17 years at Universal Music Group in label operations while simultaneously cultivating a career as a singer-songwriter and performer. Her debut album, New Voice, earned her SoulTracks.com’s New Artist of the Year award, and she has graced stages from New York to South Africa, recording and performing as a solo artist and collaborator alongside celebrated voices across genres: from folk and jazz to hip hop. Her current creative project, This Womanist’s Work, is a collection of music co-written and co-produced with other women and supported by Pittsburgh’s Advancing Black Arts initiative.
Kendra’s deep commitment to people-centered development and community empowerment led her back to Pittsburgh and into academia, where she earned a Ph.D. in Community Engagement. Her research focused on Black women cultural workers in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District, examining how culture can be leveraged as a tool for liberation and equitable development. She later served as an Assistant Professor at Point Park University in the Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management program, mentoring the next generation of creative professionals.
Today, Kendra is the Head of Social Impact at Duolingo, where she leads global initiatives that connect people to purpose and advance educational equity through technology. Under her leadership, Duolingo has expanded its philanthropic portfolio, supported the local early childhood education ecosystem in Pittsburgh, and launched innovative employee engagement programs rooted in mission alignment.
Beyond her work at Duolingo, Kendra is the co-founder of ACT3 Consulting Partners, a firm dedicated to supporting nonprofit arts and social service organizations through strategy, storytelling, and community-centered design. She also co-hosts the podcast This Womanist’s Work, a space for intergenerational dialogue centered on Black women’s lives, faith, and freedom dreams.
Kendra’s leadership extends into the civic sphere through her service on numerous boards and commissions. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission and serves on the boards of the Allegheny Regional Asset District, the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, Watering Hole Media Action, and Instituto Cimarrón. She is also a longtime voting member of the Recording Academy and served as a Governor for its Philadelphia Chapter from 2022 to 2024.
Whether in the classroom, the boardroom, or on stage, Kendra remains guided by her values: justice, creativity, community, and joy. No matter the venue or vehicle, she continues to reimagine freedom, honoring her ancestors, mentoring future leaders, and utilizing her gifts to help build a more compassionate, connected world.
