Kendra Ross

Dr. Kendra Janelle Ross is Duolingo's Head of Social Impact, focusing on corporate giving, employee mission connection, and community engagement. Before this, she was an Assistant Professor of Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management at Point Park University, where she also earned her PhD in Community Engagement. With two decades of experience in New York City's entertainment industry, Dr. Ross has worked on stage and behind the scenes. She managed label operations for over fifteen years at Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company. A veteran songwriter, vocalist, and producer, Dr. Ross has collaborated and performed with legendary artists and served as a Governor in the Philadephia chapter of the Recording Academy. Since returning to Pittsburgh in 2014, Dr. Ross has been an influential member of the city's arts and culture community, co-chairing #ArtsInHD, a collective of creatives from the historic Hill District. She serves on the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh Board of Directors, Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission (appointed by Governor Josh Shapiro), and Allegheny Regional Asset District Board of Directors (appointed by Mayor Ed Gainey). Additionally, she is a co-owner of the Pittsburgh-based ACT3 Consulting Partners. A proud Pittsburgh Public School alum, Dr. Ross holds a BM in Music Business and Technology from New York University and MA degrees in Liberal Studies and Anthropology from Brooklyn College and The New School for Social Research, respectively.