NEW ORLEANS – Twenty-one executive directors in the nonprofit sector recently completed an intensive program designed specifically to give them the skills they need to succeed. The program was created by the Greater New Orleans Foundation Organizational initiative and CompassPoint, a nationally-recognized leader in skill development for nonprofit leaders.
The Greater New Orleans Foundation Organizational Effectiveness initiative, in partnership with CompassPoint, hosted an intensive session exclusively for executive directors that combined expert instruction and peer-learning to tackle some of the toughest issues executive directors face.
“We are proud of the 21 executive directors who participated in and completed this training program,” says Joann Ricci, vice president for organizational effectiveness at the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “These executive directors are now better armed to tackle daily challenges creatively and strategically. When our nonprofit leaders are strong, the entire community benefits.”
This program was led by CompassPoint’s CEO Jeanne Bell and Senior Project Director Marla Cornelius. The program drew on research, their extensive work developing and coaching nonprofit leaders, and the collective wisdom of the participants to create a powerful space to learn with and from each other.
“The program was truly transformative,” said Keith Liederman, Kingsley House executive director. “This experience provided me with a valuable set of new and advanced skills, knowledge, and tools I can use to advance my work and the work of my agency and other local, statewide and national organizations with whom I am affiliated.”
“Attending the Executive Director Intensive connected me with a wide range of other community leaders as well as innovative and thought provoking ideas,” said Susan Todd, 504HealthNet executive director. “I can already see myself implementing things I learned both within my personal leadership style and throughout my organization. The three day training was amazing.”
The 21 graduates of the Executive Director Intensive are:
R. Glen Armantrout, Reconcile New Orleans, Inc.
Dawn Bradley-Fletcher, New Orleans Women’s Shelter
Paulette Carter, Children's Bureau
Lanor Curole, United Houma Nation
Lloyd Dennis, Silverback Society
Casie Duplechain, Friends of City Park
Mamie Gasperecz, Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses
Janet Goforth, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater New Orleans
Denali Lander, Youth Run NOLA
Annie LaRock, New Orleans Recreation Development Foundation
Keith Liederman, Kingsley House
Cheryl Magee, Hope Center, Inc.
Darcy McKinnon, NOVAC
Cyndi Nguyen, VIET
Minh Nguyen, VAYLA New Orleans
Kathryn Parker, Market Umbrella
Jolene Pinder, New Orleans Film Society
Dana Reed, Hope Stone New Orleans
Susan Todd, 504HealthNet
Tracey Sherry, Birdfoot Festival
Renee Vidrine, Lighthouse Louisiana
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. Together with a family of donors, the Foundation has invested over $100 million in the region since it opened its doors over 30 years ago to respond to community needs.
