NEW ORLEANS – Twenty-four executive directors in the nonprofit sector recently completed an intensive program designed to give executive directors who have been in the role for three years or less the skills they need to succeed. The program, created by the Greater New Orleans Foundation Organizational Effectiveness initiative and Compass Point, a nationally-recognized leader in skill development for nonprofit leaders, combined expert instruction and peer-learning to tackle some of the toughest issues executive directors face. Funding for the program is provided by Chevron.
“Our nonprofit sector thrives and can support our community with strong and intentional leadership,” Joann Ricci, vice president for organizational effectiveness at the Greater New Orleans Foundation, said. “We’re very proud of the 24 graduates who are now better prepared to tackle the challenges that come their way.”
The 24 participants, representing a wide variety of nonprofits in size and sector, sharpened their skills in such areas as leadership, financial management, fundraising, and board relations.
“The executive director fundamentals program was highly informative and transformative, and it allowed me to reflect on the strategic direction of my organization,” Cashauna Hill, Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center (GNOFHAC) executive director, said. “I’m now refreshed and excited to begin applying the critical skills I acquired. I also loved the opportunity to get to know 24 other local executive directors facing similar challenges.”
The 24 graduates of the Executive Director Fundamentals Program are:
Adam Bradley, Luke’s House: A Clinic for Healing and Hope
Sherdren Burnside, Compassion Outreach of America
Aaron Clark-Rizzio, Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights
Ethan Ellestad, Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans (MaCCNO)
Amy Fottrell, Roots of Renewal
Amanda Kruger Hill, Cowen Institute
Cashauna Hill, Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center (GNOFHAC)
Mary Hewes, Vieux Carré Commission Foundation
Dwayne “Prince” Holmes, Youth Rebuilding New Orleans
Megan Holt, One Book One New Orleans
Greg Lawson, Healing Hearts for Community Development (HHCD)
Emily K. Leitzinger, ALS Association
Elizabeth Marcell, New Orleans Therapeutic Day Program
Simone Levine, Court Watch NOLA
Meg Miles, YAYA
Teddy Nathan, Network Volunteers
Lauren Perry, The Beautiful Foundation
Mary Slaer, Youth Service Bureau of St. Tammany
Nicole Suhre, St. Tammany Hospital Foundation
Kristi Trail, Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (LPBF)
Adrienne Wheeler, Justice & Accountability Center of Louisiana
Amanda Walker, Save Our Cemeteries, Inc.
Paris Woods, College Beyond
Kelsy Yeargain, Tulane/ Canal Neighborhood Development Corporation
The Greater New Orleans Foundation is one of the oldest and largest philanthropic organizations in the region. Its mission is to create a thriving community for all. Every day, GNOF joins other foundations, nonprofit organizations, community leaders and government officials to address the needs of the community and build consensus for solutions, Foundation reps said. Together with a family of donors, the Foundation has invested more than $100 million in the region since it opened its doors over 30 years ago to respond to community needs.
Elizabeth Marcell, Aaron Frumin, Adam Bradley, Meg Miles
Emily Leitzinger, Amy Fottrell, Kristi Trail
Greater New Orleans Foundation’s 25 Executive Director Fundamentals Program Graduates, Back row/ standing: Greg Lawson, Kelsy Yeargain, Nicole Suhre, Kristi Trail, Paris Woods, Emily Leitzinger, Cashauna Hill, Adrienne Wheeler, Adam Bradley, Mary Slazer, Elizabeth Marcell, Aaron Frumin // Front row/ seated: Megan Holt, Simone Levine, Meg Miles, Amy Fottrell, Aaron Clark-Rizzo, Jeanne Bell, Marla Cornelius, Amanda Kruger Hill (L-R)
Megan Holt, Greg Lawson, Mary Slazer
Paris Woods, Nicole Suhre, Amanda Kruger Hill, Cashauna Hill
