Future of Work
It's time to give essential workers the protections they deserve
The world has relied on essential workers during the pandemic –yet too many still lack basic protections. Here's how we can fix that.
Laleh Ispahani
I am the managing director of Open Society Foundation's U.S. Program (Open Society-U.S.), a private philanthropy working with organizations and individuals who seek to address profound racial, economic, and political inequalities, while funding efforts to prepare for the policy challenges of the future.
I work with the Program's Executive Director to set strategic direction, manage budget, and personnel for a 95-person team that supports civil society organizations taking on challenges and seizing opportunities on issues of democracy, equality, criminal justice and foreign policy. I have expertise in U.S. democracy issues, having previously directed the Program's work in the area - expanding the right to vote and access to the ballot; maintaining an independent judiciary; curtailing the influence of money in politics; and seeking to preserve a rights-respecting technology sector.
Before joining the Open Society Foundations in 2008, I spent spent six years as senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union working on racial justice and human rights, issues that dominate the U.S. landscape today.
I am currently engaged in the U.S. civil society response to COVID-19, the fight for racial justice, a safe national election this November, and related and complex issues of technology and society.
I serve on boards focused on issues of civic participation and economic liberties.
I was raised in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Iran, and now live in New York City with a Finnish partner and a delightful 13 year old.
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