EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (she/hers)

As Executive Director of Confluence Rising, Reena Hajat Carroll oversees operations, fundraising, and strategic direction for the organization. Her career reflects an uncompromising commitment to fostering inclusive corporate, educational and nonprofit climates. She brings in 20- years of experience leading mission-centered nonprofits that focus on bridge building . Reena has led Confluence Rising (formerly the California Conference for Equality and Justice) since 2020, and for more than a decade was the Executive Director of St. Louis, Misouri based nonprofit Diversity Awareness Partnership.

Reena holds a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis Brown School and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Occidental College. She’s been the recipient of many awards including, the 2022 World Changer Award from the International Association of Official Human Rights Organization, the Bank of America Local Hero, Brown School GOLD Alumni Award, and was recognized as a Woman Who Leads” by the City of Long Beach in 2026,

She proudly serves as a Board Member for the Navigator Lighthouse Foundation and Alumni Board Member for Occidental College. She enjoys serving as a mentor to nonprofit leaders new to the field.

With over twenty years of experience in facilitation, teaching, and nonprofit leadership, Reena strengthens organizational operations and governance while equipping individuals to navigate complex conversations around equity and inclusion. She has trained more than 13,000 participants nationwide across corporate, educational, and nonprofit sectors. At the heart of her work is a belief in the transformative power of dialogue — that meaningful change begins when communities choose conversation over debate.