Carol McDonald is a nationally recognized strategist, advocate, and executive leader with over two decades of experience driving change at the intersection of reproductive justice, racial equity, and political strategy.
Currently an Independent Consultant, Carol has held leadership roles across major organizations, including serving as Interim Vice President of External Affairs at Trust Women and Partnerships Director at the Abortion Access Now coalition. She previously served as President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeast, where she spearheaded the Stabilize. Strengthen. Soar. campaign, raising over $2 million to reposition the organization in the post-Dobbs era across Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.
As the Founder and CEO of Meridian Solutions, Carol built a social impact strategy firm serving national organizations such as Planned Parenthood Federation of America, EMILY’s List, Human Rights Campaign, and the National Women’s Law Center. Her expertise in political communications led her to roles at Mission Control and 76 Words, where she developed winning strategies for key electoral and ballot measure campaigns, including Kansans for Constitutional Freedom and Michigan’s Reproductive Freedom for All.
Carol spent over a decade at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where she led national advocacy, electoral, and racial equity initiatives, including the organization’s first Race Equity Initiative and the production of the documentary A Vital Service: African American Stories of Reproductive Health Care. She also played a pivotal role in electoral organizing, managing multi-million-dollar field campaigns in support of the Affordable Care Act and major federal elections.
Beyond her professional work, Carol is deeply committed to movement-building and community leadership. She serves on the Planned Parenthood Action Fund Board of Directors, the United for Reproductive and Gender Equity Board, and the United for Respect Education Fund Board. She is also a co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of More...