Asha Carroll '13 MM Named 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Leader
Alumna Asha Carroll '13 MM has announced that she is among 205 leaders around the world selected to join the Obama Foundation Leaders program for 2024-2025. This prestigious initiative focuses on leadership development and civic engagement, equipping participants with the skills needed to amplify their impact across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Asha will be one of 100 participants in the Leaders USA program. She received her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from NEC in 2013.
Asha serves as Assistant Vice President of Community Campaigns for the National Stigma Initiative at Shatterproof, a nonprofit providing guidance and support to communities in an effort to reverse the addiction crisis in the United States. She oversees the National Stigma Initiative's statewide public health communication campaigns that aim to change outlooks and reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorder (SUD). Her work reaches 27% of the U.S. population through community-driven, digital strategies informed by the Shatterproof Addiction Stigma Index (SASI), a pioneering national survey assessing public knowledge and attitudes about SUD. Prior to joining Shatterproof, Asha served as Communications Director and Spokesperson for the Vermont Democratic Party. She also has experience as a school board member and an award-winning startup founder recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration for her work in the social impact sector.
Asha shares,
“After nearly a decade in consumer brands and politics, I was mobilized to end the stigma of addiction after experiencing its devastating impact on my family, my community, and the arts industry where I began my career. At Shatterproof we are working for a future where people with SUDs have hope, feel heard, and can get the tools they need to thrive."
Throughout the six-month program, participants will engage in weekly virtual sessions designed to sharpen their leadership abilities, foster strong connections with fellow participants, and interact with thought leaders and members of the Obama Foundation community. Obama Foundation Leaders will also have opportunities to participate in virtual experiences and special events, including one-on-one mentorship sessions with experts from the Foundation's global network.
Congratulations, Asha!