Back at AALEAD!

By Neel Saxena, Development & Communications Director
Photos Courtesy of Neel Saxena

Hello AALEAD family, I am excited to be back after a ten year stint in the DC Mayor’s Office, rejoining as the Development & Communications Director. I have seen AALEAD grow and thrive during my time away and will bring my energy and experience to continue the wonderful work.

I am the son of two immigrant parents who came to the US to study in the 1960s and went back to India to have me in 1978. We came back to the US shortly after I was born and spent a few years in upstate New York before settling locally in Montgomery County, MD. I went to undergrad at the University of Maryland, College Park where I also gained a better sense of what it was to be Asian American and the struggles faced by people of color. I was involved in many advocacy initiatives at UMD and served as an AALEAD mentor during my senior year. After college, I went on to work at the Gates Millennium Scholars, followed by a brief stint at AALEAD, and then ten years with the DC Mayor’s Office.

Through my personal and professional experiences I developed a belief in and witnessed that building capacity leads to long term success. As AALEAD builds the capacity of young people, I look to contribute by building the organizational capacity of AALEAD to expand and improve the programs. I approach work and life by looking at big picture and filling it in as I go along, seeking support and guidance from those around me. I bring this philosophy to AALEAD in my role to build upon the great work that has already been done.

I am excited to join AALEAD not only because of the work but because of the people. I believe the people who make up an organization are where its key strength lies. The AALEAD family has welcomed me with open arms and I believe we will accomplish great things together. I can’t wait to share what people have told me is a boisterous laugh with the youth, staff, and board – if you’re going to laugh and enjoy life I think you must do it 110%. I also subscribe to the idea Pablo Neruda once said that “laughter is the language of the soul”.

In my time away from work, I love spending time with my wife, two boys, and dog. I also fashion myself as a weekend mechanic and handyman, although some in my family think otherwise. You can probably find me with grease or paint on my hands come Monday from a weekend full of projects.  Currently, I’m finishing a second story addition to our house which I am super excited to finish!