In June 2020, Paige Alexander returned to her hometown of Atlanta to assume the role of CEO at The Carter Center. Guided to the position through a BoardWalk Consulting search, Alexander has since navigated the organization through profound transitions while amplifying its global mission of peace, health, and democracy.

As CEO for over 5 years, Alexander reflected in conversation with BoardWalk consultant Kathy Bremer on what brought her to The Carter Center, the highlights of her tenure so far, and what lies ahead.

A Call Back to Atlanta

“When BoardWalk contacted me, I was happily living in Amsterdam [leading European Coop for Rural Development],” Alexander recalled. “I had been away from Atlanta, where I grew up, for 35 years. The opportunity to lead the Carter Presidential Center, given all the Carters had accomplished and their aspirations for the Center, inspired me to move back. So much thoughtful international work is centered in Atlanta, and The Carter Center has great alignment with CARE, Task Force for Global Health, CDC, and other significant partners here.”

From Founder-Led to Founder-Inspired

Among her proudest achievements is stewarding The Carter Center through the delicate transition from being “founder-led” to “founder-inspired.” Just two years into her leadership, President Carter personally affirmed his retirement decision, confident in the Center’s future.

Election monitoring has long been a hallmark of the Center’s work, with more than 125 elections observed across 40 countries. But 2020 made clear that the Center’s expertise was needed closer to home. “We created a domestic democracy program, drawing on the Center’s expertise in election integrity and conflict resolution,” Alexander explained. “Now we’re active in doing municipal elections as well as working nationally. We have to make sure our election system holds. We are also working on the issue of polarization. As President Carter said, we need to adjust to changing times and hold to unchanging principles.”

A Strategy Rooted in Principles

That commitment—adapting to new challenges while holding to enduring values—is central to Alexander’s leadership. In a recent reflection at the Chautauqua Institution, she spoke candidly about the threats authoritarian tactics pose to democracy and underscored why the Center’s work is more vital than ever. As Chautauqua Daily reported, Alexander outlined how “autocrats all have the same playbook” and emphasized that The Carter Center’s decades of international experience must now be applied at home as well.

Her clear-eyed perspective and willingness to confront difficult truths reflect both her strategic focus and her deep alignment with The Carter Center’s mission of advancing peace, health, and human rights.

Looking Ahead

As Alexander looks to the future, she acknowledges the rapidly shifting global landscape and the financial constraints that challenge nonprofits worldwide. Still, her focus remains clear. “The Carter Center is doubling down on our support of democracy. We are partnering with other members of the international community who are engaging in this critical work.”

At the same time, the Center is nearing the last mile of its decades-long initiative to eradicate Guinea worm and pushing forward on eliminating several other neglected tropical diseases.

A Legacy of Leadership

Throughout her five years at the helm, Alexander has consistently emphasized science, truth, and listening to those most affected. As she continues to lead, The Carter Center remains a beacon for global health and democracy—adapting to new challenges while holding fast to its founding principles.

At BoardWalk, we are honored to have played a role in placing Paige Alexander in this pivotal leadership position. Our colleague Kathy Bremer’s conversation with Paige reflects the kind of thoughtful leadership exploration we strive to support in every search.

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