The Economic and Policy Fight in Labor

With over 20 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Executive Branch, and in the private sector, Patrice Willoughby has applied a racial equity lens to advocacy in financial services, tax, and technology.

Patrice served as Chief of Staff and Counsel to the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (OH-11), guiding legislation to enhance retirement security and expand SBA lending programs.  She later served as Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus, supporting the passage of the Recovery Act, Dodd-Frank Financial Reform, and the Affordable Care Act.

After leaving Capitol Hill, Patrice served the Obama Administration at the General Services Administration. She most recently led the financial services practice at Signal Group, representing clients in capital markets, fintech, and private equity.

Patrice earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Case Western Reserve University, a Master of Arts from the University of Cincinnati, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison after studying International Law in the Netherlands. She is the recipient of numerous awards: 2020 Top Lobbyist and Influencer by "Lawyers of Color"; a 2021 Top Lobbyist by the National Institute of Lobbying and Ethics; and in 2022, Lifetime Achievement by the Washington Government Relations Group of Black government affairs professionals.

Keisha Deonarine is a prominent figure in the field of social justice work and community advocacy. She is currently leading as Director of Opportunity, Race, and Justice at the NAACP, where she oversees the organization's national inclusive economy strategy. Keisha's work centers around driving transformative change with a racial equity lens, specifically aimed at advancing the progress of Black and Brown economy.

Prior to joining the NAACP, Keisha served as an executive at Park Community Credit Union. Her leadership resulted in over $5 million in federal grants and $122.5 million in secondary capital for the Louisville, KY community. Keisha's philanthropic efforts gifted over $1.2 million in grant funds to non-profits and minority small businesses in marginalized communities across Kentucky. Obtaining a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certification, she championed for capital in Black and marginalized communities at a national level.

Keisha's passion for community and advocacy extends beyond her work at the NAACP. She has a successful consulting practice focused on strategic planning, from the perspective of anti-racism and anti-white supremacy. Over the past five years, Keisha has served over fifteen successful clients locally and nationally.

Before her tenure at the credit union, Keisha held leadership positions in philanthropy and city government. She has a remarkable track record in philanthropy, having gifted over $500 thousand in grants and served as the inaugural executive director for Passport Health Plan's Foundation. Keisha also played a pivotal role in funding more than $200 million in project investments, which resulted in over 6,000 jobs for the city of Louisville.

Keisha's exemplary work has not gone unnoticed. She was named the ABFE Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program Class of 2020, Forty Under 40 by Business First in 2021, Leadership Louisville Bingham Fellows Class of 2021, Today's Women DE&I Leader in 2022, and Most Admired Women Equity Champion Nominee in 2022. Keisha's unwavering commitment to social justice and equity is truly inspiring, and her achievements are a testament to her dedication and hard work in making a difference in the world.