Welcome Mertz Gilmore’s Chief of Staff, Kalin Drzewiecki-Sezer

We are thrilled to announce that Kalin Drzewiecki-Sezer has joined the Mertz Gilmore team as our Chief of Staff. Welcome Kalin! 

Kalin joins Mertz Gilmore from grantee partner organization Demos, a movement-oriented think tank committed to racial justice. There, she held numerous positions over 15 years, including in operations, administration, budgeting, and cross-team collaboration. Most recently, Kalin served as Chief of People & Culture at Demos, overseeing a broad spectrum of culture and operational management and working closely with the President on organizational strategy and management. 

Throughout her areas of focus and experience–from change management to organizational culture and hiring–Kalin incorporates a racial equity lens. In previous roles, that included developing hiring practices that help reduce implicit bias, designing a compensation philosophy and competency framework that increased transparency and equity, and creating a racial equity learning plan for the Executive Team.

At Mertz Gilmore, Kalin will be using her skills to help advance the Foundation’s work through supporting people, culture, and operational management, and working closely with President Aditi Vaidya. “Kalin’s deep understanding of organizational systems, practice, and operations – all with an equity and justice lens and commitment – are a boon for the entire Mertz Gilmore Foundation team,” shared Aditi. “I am thrilled to have her strategic partnership in this role, and am grateful for the perspective and skills she brings as an accomplished professional and former grantee partner.”

“I'm excited to leverage my organizational and operational leadership skills, and partner with Aditi so she can engage more deeply in the philanthropic sector," shared Kalin. “Coming from Demos, I have long been familiar with and appreciative of Mertz Gilmore's work. As I learned more about the foundation throughout the interview process, I came to even more deeply value the history of the organization and the way that history is reflected in staff's commitment and values today. I am honored to join the team!” 

Kalin lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children, and two pet cats. In her free time she enjoys gardening, cooking, traveling, reading, and canoeing.