Cordell Carter

Cordell Carter brings over two decades of experience dedicated to fostering inclusive societies and organizational cultures where every individual can thrive. From 2017-2024 he served as the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Socrates Program, a prestigious global education forum, and is the Founding Director of the Aspen Institute’s Project on Belonging. Cordell is also the visionary behind the Festival of the Diaspora, based in Medellin, Colombia, which convenes leaders from diasporic communities across the Americas. Additionally, he is the founder of Expectant Advisory, LLC, a human capital advisory firm.
Prior to his current roles, Cordell held leadership positions with prominent organizations including the TechTown Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle Public Schools, Business Roundtable, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, and IBM Corporation.
At the Aspen Institute, Cordell curates more than three dozen off-the-record leadership seminars annually in capital cities worldwide, reaching over 1,000 leaders each year. He spearheads efforts to shift the national dialogue on racial equity and inclusion from compliance to belonging through initiatives like the annual LATAM-based Festival of the Diaspora.
Cordell is widely recognized as a sought-after facilitator and speaker on topics such as belonging and inclusion, innovation, postsecondary success, and democratic ideals. He is the creator and lead facilitator of "Becoming an Inclusive Republic" seminar series and producer of the documentary "The Road Trip to Belonging." His insights and experiences are captured in his forthcoming book, "Becoming an Inclusive Republic."
A seasoned speaker, Cordell has delivered talks in 15 countries and 20 US states, captivating audiences with his expertise on the intersection of belonging and civic faith. His leadership has garnered numerous accolades, including his appointment by President Joseph R. Biden to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships in June 2021.
Cordell's achievements have been widely celebrated, including being named a 2023 Minority Executives Making Moves by the Minority Business Review, 2021 Distinguished Alumni Leadership Awardee by Cultural Vistas, and receiving an Eisenhower Fellowship to China. He has been honored as a "40 under 40" by business and civic organizations in Washington State and Tennessee and recognized by the University of Notre Dame Law School as Alumni of the Year.
Mr. Carter holds a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School, an M.Sci. in Public Policy and Management Studies from Carnegie Mellon University, and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington. He also advises SkillStorm on their Upskill Together Initiative, aimed at creating technology training academies in underserved communities across America, and serves on the boards of Concordia, Orbit Capital, Oasis Fresh Markets, Redemption Holdings, and the International Advisory Council of Danubius University