A Bill Gates Millennium Scholar and one of less than 100 experts with a joint doctorate, Dr. Hemphill is an executive who doubles as a trailblazing behavioral political scientist, public policy expert, author, researcher, community partnerships strategist, and statistician who has dedicated her life to improving the lives of people in distressed communities, from cradle-to-career and on their own terms. A courageous scholar practitioner, Dr. Hemphill's extensive hands-on experience includes executing and guiding public-facing actions that mobilize community resources to improve resilient affordable housing, innovative urban planning efforts, workforce development, health, education, racial and gender equity, public safety, and economic empowerment. 

 

Developing collaborative strategic plans using cutting-edge data, technology, and participatory methods has resulted in significant demonstrable positive impact on 90+ million Americans under her tenure. Dr. Hemphill is thankful and humbled that her efforts have often been recognized in esteem, including becoming the first person at Wesleyan University to earn dual honors in government and African American Studies, creating historic turnarounds in two Pre-K classrooms in Chicago's Bronzeville community, and being named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Technology of 2023 by Women We Admire, one of the Top 100 Social Scientists of the Century by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and a Worldwide Leader through Crisis by the University of Michigan- Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

 

Unashamedly, Dr. Hemphill carries related intersectional lived experiences and is proud of her community organizing background. She's led numerous high-exposure presidential and secretarial-level initiatives designed to impact and uplift persistently distressed communities. Dr. Hemphill is regarded as the longest serving national program manager of a multifaceted presidential community development initiative and the only to successfully bridge such an initiative between the two prior Administrations. This was accomplished through developing and executing effective nonpartisan strategic planning processes, data-driven benchmarks, and sustained collaborative engagement of community partners, stakeholders, and officials. 

 

Dr. Hemphill encourages the belief that many of the most enduring and impactful of scientific pursuits are made by scientists talented in their ability and forthright in their desire to elevate the human condition.  Driven by her passion to link academic expertise to practical impact, she founded Scientists for Social Progress (SSP): a nationally representative, cross-collaborative platform and research consulting firm of scientists who develop solutions in the interest of social good.  SSP consultants are energized by reciprocal environments designed to progress society through peoplepower and strategy-building. Under her observance, SSP recommends impactful forms of community-building and civic engagement through an intersectional lens nested in race, gender, sexuality, among other identities. SSP consultants offer multi-industry impact through acute project management, strategic planning, rigorous data analysis, research, coordination, technical assistance, and complex administrative tasks. SSP relishes in applying considerable judgment to implement comprehensive decisions progressing broad policies and procedures at the local and national level.

 

Inside the workplace, SSP integrates sustainable measures of diversity, equity, and inclusion in human capital practices while complying with merit principles and applicable laws. As the CEO of SSP, Dr. Hemphill delights at the prospect of collaborating with your team and partners to expand your Organization’s imprint in improving equity for all.