Nonprofit Leaders Selected for United Way’s Executive Director Learning Circle
Year-long series focuses on innovative, strategic development and increasing organizational capacity
Providence, R.I. (December 21, 2021) – Leaders of 11 local nonprofits have been selected by United Way of Rhode Island as fellows for its next Executive Director Learning Circle series. The year-long program takes an innovative approach to building the capacity of, and strengthening, the state's nonprofit sector.
"The once-in-a-lifetime crisis that we've all been living through over these last twenty months has absolutely underscored how vital our nonprofit community truly is," said Cortney Nicolato, United Way's president and CEO. "At the same time, their Herculean efforts and life-changing work is nothing new — this has always been their commitment to meeting the needs of our communities. It remains a priority at United Way that we continue to build up the sector as a whole if we're to realize a fully thriving Rhode Island."
United Way introduced the Executive Director Learning Circle in 2017, having developed the program specifically for leaders of Rhode Island nonprofits with annual budgets less than $1 million. Its curriculum helps organizations increase capacity and improve the delivery of services.
"This is a unique educational series that meets nonprofit leaders where they are," said Michael Fournier, who facilitates the Learning Circle. "It provides practical experience and coaching in real-time that will help their nonprofit today and into the future by expanding both their capacity and their impact in the community."
Over the course of the coming year, participating fellows will engage in workshops that focus on strategic planning, fund development, board engagement, risk management, marketing, and more. The leaders will also benefit from scenario sharing and one-on-one coaching in a range of competency topics. Additionally, graduates of the program may apply their experience toward credits for a BA or MA at Roger Williams University’s School of Studies Community Development program. Nonprofit executives taking part in the 2022 cohort are:
| Executive Director | Organization |
|---|---|
| Angela Brunetti | Charlestown Land Trust |
| Siobhan Callahan | West Broadway Neighborhood Association |
| Caroline Gangji | The Village Common of RI |
| Jonathan Goldman | Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice |
| Bernard Georges | New Bridges for Haitian Success |
| Kathy Gray | West Bay Collaborative |
| Kasha Hanflik | Girls on the Run Rhode Island |
| Paula Hudson | Better Lives Rhode Island |
| Amanda Parker | John P. Burke Memorial Fund |
| Danielle Salisbury | Warwick Center for the Arts |
| Christopher Samih-Rotondo | Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE) |
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United Way of Rhode Island is uniting our community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. A member of the world’s largest nonprofit network, we bring together individuals, businesses, nonprofits, community leaders, and government to tackle the root causes of inequity and achieve specific, measurable goals. Our programs include 211, the statewide front door connecting Rhode Islanders with social services, resources, and vital programs. Both directly and through grants to nonprofits, we are investing to build economic opportunity, advance childhood learning, expand philanthropy, and drive policy and participation. To learn more, visit unitedwayri.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.