Joint Center Welcomes New Vice Presidents of Communications and Operations and Finance

Roles strengthen the organization to be the nation’s top resource of credible data, analysis, and policy solutions in service of Black communities

Oct. 1, 2021, Washington, D.C. – The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is excited to announce Chandra M. Hayslett and Quinci Moody have joined the team as Vice President of Communications and Vice President of Operations and Finance, respectively. Chandra will be responsible for the development and implementation of an innovative, integrated communications strategy to amplify and advance the Joint Center’s strategic audience engagement, research priorities, and growth. Quinci will be responsible for co-creating a vision of success that is aligned with and in service of the organization’s mission and values that inspires staff and creates effective systems that support the Joint Center’s growth.

The addition of these two leadership positions are part of the Joint Center’s strategic plan to restructure and position the think tank as the “go-to” resource on emerging issues that are critical to Black communities.

“In celebrating the Joint Center’s 50th Anniversary in 2020, our board and staff developed a detailed strategy to scale the Joint Center to maximize our impact in areas critical to Black communities. Key components include hiring superstar talent, prioritizing a strong value-based work culture, developing systems that allow us to most effectively advance our mission, and becoming one of the top 10 think tanks in the U.S. in strategic communications,” said Joint Center President Spencer Overton. “Finding and recruiting superstars like Chandra and Quinci are essential steps in implementing our strategic plan. Chandra and Quinci bring critical expertise, experience, and leadership to our team, and I’m ecstatic that they are joining us.”

The new strategic plan also includes a deeper focus on fundraising, supporting the development of Black expertise in emerging areas, expanding into other areas that are critical to Black communities, like voting and health care, convening diverse stakeholders, supporting local think tanks and community organizers, fixing broken systems with policy alternatives, and building on the assets and aspirations of Black communities.

“I could not be more thrilled to have been selected as Vice President of Communications for the Joint Center, particularly at this moment of goal setting, growth, and transformation,” said Hayslett. “I am excited to get to work to strategically think about how to amplify the Joint Center’s mission and brand as America’s Black think tank, provide a greater platform for thought leadership, and pave the way to discovering the rich opportunities for stories that center the research and analysis and reach broader audiences.”

“I am beyond excited to serve as the Vice President of Finance and Operations at the Joint Center,” said Moody. “The organization’s mission resonates deeply with me, and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of Black communities through fulfilling the goals of the Joint Center’s back office, and consequently its mission.”

Hayslett and Moody join Dr. Alex Camardelle, director of our Workforce Policy Program, as recent hires who are part of the Joint Center’s plan to scale. Camardelle’s work will center Black workers in policy debates concerning the future of work, workforce development, and access to good jobs.

​​Hayslett is a Pulitzer Prize-winning communications executive with 24 years’ experience spanning the public relations, marketing, and journalism industries. Prior to joining the Joint Center, she was director of communications at the Center for Constitutional Rights, where she led the overall development of strategic communications. Before transitioning into public relations, Hayslett spent 11 years as a newspaper reporter covering K-12 public education and politics at newspapers across Tennessee and New Jersey, including the Newark Star-Ledger, where she was part of a reporting team that won the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news. Hayslett has a BA in African-American Studies from the University of Tennessee.

Moody is a dedicated nonprofit executive with more than 15 years’ experience building capacity in organizations working to strengthen vulnerable or underserved communities, and developing nonprofit leaders of color. Prior to joining the Joint Center, she served as chief operating officer at The Fishing School, where she facilitated significant organizational expansion and oversaw the organization’s fundraising, programs, and operational functions, such as human resources, accounting, facilities management, and information technology. Moody has a BA in English from Florida A&M University and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from American University.