Samra Haider: Reimagining Justice through Play, Purpose, and Proximity

Nov 12

PlayFull Podcast - Kristine Michie - Samra Haider

Samra Haider: Reimagining Justice through Play, Purpose, and Proximity

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, host Kristine Michie speaks with Samra Haider of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation about reimagining philanthropy, deepening community engagement, and advancing economic justice. They explore how local leadership and innovative solutions can close the racial wealth gap in New Jersey, where the foundation is based, and where median household wealth for white families is 3000% higher than that of Black and Latino families. Samra shares her journey from leading the Center for Employment Opportunities to her current role as CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, highlighting how play, imagination, and connection sustain the heart of change-making work.

Key Takeaways:

Imagination and play keep creativity alive, helping leaders stay grounded in joy while tackling complex challenges.
Purposeful career shifts can stay rooted in justice, aligning evolving roles with one’s values and heritage.
Real equity work happens up close—through culturally competent, locally driven approaches that honor community leadership.
Philanthropy grows stronger when it blends traditional grants with impact investments to expand lasting social good.
Meaningful change begins with collective courage, from addressing the racial wealth gap to ensuring no one is left behind.

"Once you draw lines around something, you kind of lose the ability to think about what more it could be… We have to let ourselves be imaginative. We have to let ourselves think about what's possible." — Samra Haider

“There are so many systems of oppression embedded with racism… It's important to name why we're in this predicament and not just say it's luck of the draw." — Samra Haider

“I think potential is just about access to different things, and so everybody has that potential; it's more about giving everybody access to the same types of resources." — Samra Haider

Episode References:

Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation — https://www.grdodge.org/
Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) — https://ceoworks.org/
Roberts Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) — https://redf.org/
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) — https://www.cdfifund.gov/
United Way (Newark, NJ Chapter) — https://uwnewark.org/
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) — https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap

More about Samra Haider:

Samra became President & Chief Executive Officer of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation in June 2025, bringing a deep commitment to equity and justice to advance the Foundation’s mission of closing New Jersey’s racial wealth gap. A New Jersey native, she draws on more than two decades of leadership in the nonprofit, philanthropy, finance, and strategy sectors to guide the Foundation into its next chapter of transformative impact.

Prior to joining Dodge, Samra served as President of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), where she led a nationwide expansion into more than 30 communities, built advanced training pathways, and helped thousands of people returning from incarceration secure good jobs and financial stability. Her earlier experience includes advancing job-focused social enterprises as Portfolio Director at REDF, leading technical assistance at Next Street Financial, and advising global organizations as a strategic consultant at Oliver Wyman.

Connect with Samra:
Website: https://www.grdodge.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/geraldine-r--dodge-foundation/posts/?feedView=all, https://www.linkedin.com/in/samra-haider/

Connect with Kristine:

Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/

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