Project for Pride in Living Welcomes Sebastian Witherspoon as Director of Equity, Learning, and Belonging
Minneapolis, MN — Project for Pride in Living (PPL) is proud to announce the appointment of Sebastian Witherspoon as its new Director of Equity, Learning, and Belonging, a strategic leadership role that will guide the organization’s efforts to foster inclusive, equitable, and empowering environments across all programs and teams.
“Sebastian’s leadership and vision will be instrumental in deepening our commitment to equity and belonging,” said María Pabón Gautier, Chief People Officer. “His experience in designing impactful trainings, building inclusive systems, and engaging diverse communities aligns perfectly with our mission to create pathways to self-reliance and success.”
With more than 25 years of experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across education, nonprofit, and public sectors, Witherspoon brings a deep commitment to systemic change and community-centered leadership. His career spans roles such as Executive Director of Equity Alliance, Director of Equity Services for St. Cloud Area Schools, and Health Equity Senior Educator at Hennepin County Medical Center. Most recently, he served as Portfolio Director at Great MN Schools, where he co-developed DEI strategy development and built strong partnerships with school leaders and community stakeholders.
In his new role, Witherspoon will lead organizational learning initiatives, equity strategy development, and belonging-focused programming to ensure PPL continues to be a place where all individuals—staff, participants, and partners—feel seen, valued, and supported.
“Race and equity are not just concepts—they are lived experiences that shape how people navigate the workplace and the world,” said Witherspoon. “At PPL, I’m excited to help build a culture where these realities are acknowledged, addressed, and transformed into opportunities for growth, understanding, and justice. Equity must be embedded in every decision, every conversation, and every strategy if we truly want to create spaces where everyone belongs.”
Witherspoon holds advanced degrees in Education Administration from the University of Wisconsin and is currently pursuing his Ed.D. in Education Administration and Leadership at St. Cloud State University.