Lydia Casmier Derfler is Associate Director of Racial Economic Justice (REJ) at Prosperity Now. Lydia has over a decade of experience leading strategic programming in service of building power for marginalized communities. Her previous roles include Program Director at Brandeis University and Senior Youth Development Coordinator at Mary’s Center in Washington, D.C. She has an MPP and MBA from The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, and a BA in Political Science from Howard University. 

As an organizer and proud St. Louis native, she is committed to developing equitable policy solutions for people of color, with a special interest in serving Black and undocumented communities. Lydia spent her Segal Fellowship summer doing research on higher education and racial equity at the United Negro College Fund.