Lakesha McDay ‘08

Lakesha McDay ‘08

Mullen-James Social Justice & Equity Impact Award

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Established in 2022, this award is given annually to a member of the UNCA Community in honor of Dr. Dee and Dr. Charles James, and Dr. Dolly Jenkins-Mullen, and Dr. Dwight Mullen. These four professors  dedicated their personal and professional careers to social justice, equity, and inclusion within their fields. The award is presented to those alumni, students, or initiatives in which, through their actions, advocacy, and/or collaborative partnerships have demonstrated a true commitment and dedication to systems change work either at the University or broader community level.

Lakesha McDay ’08 has dedicated her career to enriching communities across North Carolina through leadership roles that advance social justice, equity, and health outcomes. She currently serves as president of The Moriah Group. Previously, Lakesha held senior leadership positions at the New Hanover Community Endowment, Mission Health, Dogwood Health Trust, and UNC Asheville. She has focused her career on addressing the social determinants of health and fostering sustainable improvements in community well-being. As the Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity Director at Dogwood Health Trust, she spearheaded initiatives to improve health outcomes for marginalized communities, furthering her commitment to societal equity.

Beyond her professional work, Lakesha is deeply engaged in her community. She has served on the boards of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Delta House Life Development of Asheville, Carolina Day School, the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, and the YMCA of Western North Carolina. Her service reflects a lifelong commitment to empowering individuals and strengthening communities. Lakesha exemplifies the values of the Mullen-James legacy, making tangible progress toward achieving societal equity through her accomplished career and impactful community involvement.