Barbara Polk named new President of Lift Our Voices
For Immediate Release: October 5, 2023
Contact:
Jon Carvalho jonathan.carvalho@deweysquare.com, Ginny Terzano ginny.terzano@deweysquare.com
Appointment comes as organization expands its leadership role in fighting silencing tools including NDAs and forced arbitration that protect toxic workplaces
New York, NY – Lift Our Voices has announced the appointment of experienced nonprofit leader Barbara Polk as its new President. Co-founded by Gretchen Carlson and Julie Roginsky, Lift Our Voices (LOV) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating positive, systemic change in the workplace by eradicating laws and practices that prevent workers from speaking publicly about toxic workplace conditions.
With her extensive experience as a leader of both purpose-driven and for-profit organizations, Polk brings a wealth of knowledge that will be leveraged strategically to grow and evolve LOV's mission. She has a reputation for creating inclusive workplace environments and cultures where employees are treated with dignity and respect, and is an advocate for gender equality, women's rights and health equity.
“I am thrilled to join Lift Our Voices on their journey to ensure safe and equitable workplaces,” said Barbara Polk. “I believe it is a business imperative to create physically and psychologically safe environments for employees.”
Polk most recently served as the Chief Administrative Officer at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where she oversaw Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology and served as board liaison. She has previously held leadership positions at the National Restaurant Association, American Red Cross, Ellucian, and XO Communications (since acquired by Verizon).
Polk has a B.A. in political science from Rutgers University and has also completed graduate coursework at Harvard Business School and the University of Maryland. She is an International Coaching Federation (ICF)-certified Executive Coach, public speaker and diversity thought leader.
After spearheading bipartisan federal legislation to eradicate forced arbitration and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for toxic workplace issues that were both signed into law by the President in 2022, Lift Our Voices has continued to fight all forms of workplace abuse and discrimination, including based on age, race, sexual orientation, gender, or disability. Most recently, the organization has led on new bipartisan federal legislation, the Protecting Older Americans Act, that seeks to prevent workers from being silenced about age discrimination at work.
“As we continue to expand our advocacy to protect the American workplace, Lift Our Voices is excited to welcome Barbara Polk as our new President,” said Gretchen Carlson. “Barbara will help LOV to grow its work of ensuring every survivor has the right to speak openly about their own experiences.”
“Barbara’s experience in the nonprofit and corporate sectors and her commitment to respect, inclusion and equality is the perfect fit to lead Lift Our Voices as we champion safe and tolerant workplaces for all Americans,” said Julie Roginsky. “We are thrilled to have her join our team to lead our mission of protecting and empowering survivors.”
ABOUT LOV
Lift Our Voices was launched in December 2019 to create positive, systemic change in American workplaces through the eradication of nondisclosure agreements for toxic work issues and mandatory arbitration clauses. Created and launched by Gretchen Carlson and Julie Roginsky, and Diana Falzone, LOV’s mission is to protect American workers by giving those in toxic work environments the freedom to speak freely about their workplace experiences and free them from the laws and business practices that prevent employees from publicly discussing toxic workplace conditions.
For more information on Lift Our Voices, visit https://www.liftourvoices.org/ and visit their Facebook and Twitter pages.