At the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region (UWCKR), we tackle the toughest issues facing our community by mobilizing every resource, partner and voice to solve those challenges. That work includes supporting and investing in the skills and people who directly lead the on-the-ground efforts in our community.

A new 12-month, cohort-based training for nonprofit executive directors and CEOs starts Sept. 9. This group of 12 community leaders will participate in learning sessions designed to grow leadership, build relationships and accelerate organizational impact, all with a built-in equity focus.

“The landscape of nonprofit service delivery is shaped by inequities,” said UWBCKR Vice President of Impact and Engagement and cohort leader Alyssa Stewart. “We believe that leaders cannot lead effectively in that landscape without an understanding of their (and their organizations’) power to perpetuate or disrupt those inequities.”

United Way is partnering with Humanergy, a leadership training and coaching organization, to facilitate 12 half-day virtual learning sessions for Leadership Lab attendees. This will be the second year United Way conducts the cohort.

The response from participants has been positive.

“The Executive Leadership Lab provided with me with many resources and tools to share with my staff,” Maricela Alcala, CEO of Gryphon Place and 2019 cohort participant said. “I can easily pull from my tool kit resource to help staff when facing challenges in management and leadership.”

This year’s Executive Leadership Lab cohort will include the following community leaders and organizations:

• Robert Bernardo – Battle Creek Tabernacle
• Dionne Bowens – Cradle Kalamazoo
• Damon Brown – R.I.S.E. Corp
• Kristyn Buhl-Lepisto – KC Ready 4s
• Brenda Henry – Latter Rain Outreach
• Stephanie Hoffman – Open Doors Kalamazoo
• Zach Klipsch – Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center
• Debra Lenz – Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services
• David Morgan – YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo
• Nicki Poer – Read and Write Kalamazoo
• Chris Praedel – Community Homeworks

“We are excited to be able to help our partners in more ways than just our traditional grantmaking,” Stewart said. “With the Leadership Lab, we are able to facilitate connections and build skills with our community leaders in a new way.”

Stay connected with updates on the cohort as the year continues by following us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.