Sarida Scott, vice president of program, joined The Skillman Foundation in 2024. In this role, Sarida provides both strategic and operational leadership to the Foundation’s program team, guiding and implementing grantmaking totaling more than $20 million annually in alignment with the organization’s mission, values, and People Powered Education strategy.

As a native Detroiter, ensuring that Detroit has an equitable recovery and returns to its once-legendary vibrancy is a professional and personal passion for Sarida; she has worked for the betterment of children and communities throughout her career.

Sarida is a licensed attorney, engineer, and community development practitioner. Her legal work includes the roles of city attorney, child advocate, and nonprofit legal director. She has extensive nonprofit management experience from serving as the executive director of Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) as well as serving on multiple boards and in numerous fellowships. Sarida also worked as a senior program officer for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, supervising its Detroit team and the deployment of more than $10 million in grant funds. Most recently, she held the roles of assistant professor and director of the Community Development Department at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Sarida continues to live with her family in Detroit.

Areas of expertise: 
community development and engagement, facilitating connections, servant leadership 

How I can help partners: 
listening and learning more about their work, assisting with making connections, utilizing my experience to offer advice or strategic assistance

A quote that inspires me:
“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change.  I am changing the things I cannot accept.”  — Angela Y. Davis

How I reenergize: 
running, yoga, laughter

My favorite things: 
hot chai in a mug, autumn in Detroit, art fairs

My favorite musicians: 
Prince, Stevie Wonder, and Chaka Khan (straight 70s baby)