Lydia Casmier Anway is Associate Director, Financial Justice at Demos. She leads the development of Demos' work focused on economic security and mobility, particularly through financial services, as part of the Economic Justice program. Lydia and her team conduct research and policy analysis on economic justice issues, and cultivate strategic partnerships with organizations, academics, and policymakers to champion, advance, and realize economic justice laws and policies.

Lydia has over a decade of experience leading strategic initiatives in service of building power for disenfranchised communities. Prior to joining Demos, she was Associate Director of Racial Economic Justice at Prosperity Now, where she led a portfolio of community wealth-building and technical assistance programs for CDFIs, nonprofits, and small businesses. Her previous roles include Program Director as well as DEI Training, Education, and Development Manager at Brandeis University, and Senior Youth Development Manager at Mary’s Center in Washington, D.C.

Lydia 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. She is a proud St. Louis native, fried food junkie, and acutely amateur film photographer.