Emerging Leaders in Nonprofit Sector Welcome

The Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program prepares emerging leaders with skills to become successful nonprofit managers serving diverse communities in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties — developing them for organization-wide leadership roles. The program is targeted toward emerging leaders in the nonprofit world who want to expand on personal and professional leadership growth. LEAD participants gain practical tools, knowledge, and confidence to work with executive directors and impact the organization in a much larger scale.

With an integrated approach of cultural competency and collaboration, LEAD focuses on program management and evaluation, strategic planning, fund development, human resources management, public communications, and much more.

This year, our Digital Media Specialist, Raul Ceja, is part of the 2016 LEAD cohort. As he reaches the midway point of LEAD, he shared the following: “LEAD has allowed me to reach a new level of understanding in leadership theory and practicality. We continue to dive into our own personal leadership style. We’ve definitely developed a strong network and personal bond with one another. With such a diverse group from all over the Central Coast, we look forward to improving the communities we live in, together.”

If you would like to learn more about this program, the LEAD Institute will be having an information session on Wednesday, Aug. 31, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Community Foundation. Come meet  Ceja, LEAD Alumni Esther Curtice from CASA of San Benito County, and program instructors to find out more about the program.

Plus, there will be free coffee!

Please RSVP for the LEAD Institute Information Session in Hollister by Monday, Aug. 29.

Deadline to apply for LEAD is Oct. 14.

Current LEAD Participants:

• Consuelo Alba-Speyer, Watsonville Film Festival
• John Bokanovich, Sun Street Centers
• Joyce Breckenridge, Lyceum
• Raul Ceja, Community Foundation for San Benito County
• Michelle De Anda, Salud Para La Gente
• Berniz House, Arts Council for Monterey County
• Diana Kapsner, Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
• Idalia Matthews, Interim, Inc.
• Daniela Mejia, Access Support Network
• Jennifer Radakovich, Tandy Beal & Company
• Jaime Ramirez, Sun Street Centers
• Mark Vasquez, Community Connection / Volunteer Center
• Norma Villaron, Pajaro Valley Arts Council