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Safe Havens and Lightbulb Moments

I am in a wonderfully full-circle moment regarding my place of leadership in the San Diego nonprofit arts sector. I founded Malashock Dance thirty-six years ago, and have been part of the Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego for thirty of those years. Now I am poised to hand the Artistic Director reins to my successor (Christopher K Morgan), who was once a dancer in our company back in the 90’s, when I was still fairly new to Fieldstone. Christopher is a very experienced leader in his own right, and I greatly look forward to introducing him to the important world of Fieldstone Leadership.

It is no secret that being in a leadership position can sometimes be a lonely endeavor. While relationships with my dance colleagues and staff might be friendly enough, they are not usually friends one can be fully open and vulnerable with. In the ever-expanding network of leaders connected through Fieldstone, I have found numerous kindred spirits over the years with whom I can truly be friends, and discuss issues (problems) without worrying about stoking the fires of the gossip or rumor mills in my particular field. A safe haven with other leaders who ‘get it’ has been, for me, one of the most incredibly valuable aspects of the Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego.

In the arts, there is often a big divide between the creation of art and the business of art. Right brain. Left brain. I remember one time during a Fieldstone Executive Leadership Group, I was sharing a particular issue that was happening in our office between some staff members. Some great solutions were shared by the other leaders around the table when it suddenly dawned on me that I was already using the same concepts to problem solve during my creative process in the dance studio. I just had never seen quite so clearly that, for me, creativity and business could be two sides of the same coin. It was a lightbulb moment that has guided me for years.

Something else that I find very cool is that when I go to FLNSD events now, I am amazed at how many names I DON’T recognize. It means the ripple effect is really doing its thing, creating a constant pipeline of new leaders choosing to become involved. It is not just a testament to Fieldstone’s model being sustainable. It is proof that the Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego is solidly making our vital nonprofit sector more sustainable.

And throughout it all, our dear friend Janine has remained a bellwether of faith that the work we all do is the heart and soul of our community. I am forever grateful.

 

John Malashock, Artistic Director (and Founder), Malashock Dance

John Malashock brings 48 years of experience in dance, theater, opera, television and film to his role as Artistic Director of Malashock Dance. As a choreographer and director, he has created more than 100 choreographic works for stage and screen. John founded Malashock Dance in 1988, after a distinguished performing career with Twyla Tharp’s company in New York, where he performed worldwide; appeared in the Academy Award-winning film AMADEUS; and performed in concerts with Mikhail Baryshnikov. Malashock has choreographed productions at La Jolla Playhouse, the Old Globe Theatre, San Diego Symphony, La Jolla Music Society, San Diego Museum of Art, UCTV, KPBS, and San Diego Opera. John has garnered six Emmy Awards for his dance films, which have aired on over 30 PBS affiliate stations nationwide. John is a graduate of Fieldstone’s Learning Group program, coaching program and a recipient of a Clare Rose Sabbatical.  John served as a Fieldstone coach for over 20 years.

 

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A Network of Deep Relationships & Reciprocity

Recently, I was on a Zoom call that truly represented what Fieldstone Leadership Network (FLNSD) means to me. In the “boxes” were Janine Mason; Founder of FLNSD, Anne Vincent; President of Clare Rose Foundation, and Chris Rutgers Founder of Outdoor Outreach & the Trauma Foundation. Three of my closest and most important colleagues and friends – and none I would have known without FLNSD.

I met Janine in 2003 when I was at a low point in my life and desperately trying to launch my new nonprofit, A Reason To Survive (ARTS). At the time Fieldstone was a foundation providing both grants and leadership development programs. I desperately needed both! Janine and I connected immediately and bonded over our shared experience of losing a parent. She saw my passion, invested in me, and she also encouraged me to go through their coaching program. I was paired with Jan Giacinti, and it was a life saver. Jan was way more than a coach – she was a friend, confidant, cheerleader, and surrogate “mom” for me. I remember hoping I could someday reciprocate what I received by becoming a coach myself to help others like me. Little did I know that would be the beginning of a 20-year journey with Janine/FLNSD. I would participate in all the programs she offered, becoming a yearly Coach as well as a facilitator for Creative Encounters, and whatever other role Janine called and needed me to play!

I met Chris when we were in the Fieldstone Executive Learning Group in 2005. We were both struggling founders of youth development organizations, and we became fast friends and colleagues supporting each other over the years through the ups and downs of running our organizations. We witnessed in each other the toll our work had taken in our personal lives. We both took sabbaticals in 2010, and then helped each other through our founder transitions as we left our organizations and began new paths in serving our communities. Even after Chris moved to the Pacific Northwest, we have remained close through our monthly Zoom calls and in-person visits. We support each other’s projects, are strategic thought partners, and we are constantly trying to solve issues in the nonprofit and philanthropic communities. Most importantly, we are there for each other as friends.

I met Anne Vincent in 2013 when she began exploring the idea of a Sabbatical Program for nonprofit leaders. She was introduced to Janine and formed a partnership with FLNSD to run the program. Janine brought me in as an advisor since I had taken that sabbatical a few years earlier. I quickly hit it off with Anne and her brother Ted. They soon became dedicated supporters of ARTS and trusted partners – unlike many funders I had experienced. When I made the decision in 2016 to leave ARTS and focus on addressing some of the systemic issues and inequities facing organizations like ARTS, Anne made an offer I couldn’t refuse – let’s do it together! I have been working with Clare Rose since 2017 to strengthen the field of Creative Youth Development.

I share these histories with you because I think they show the true, unseen power of FLNSD. The direct programs FLNSD run are incredibly impactful but the conditions Janine creates for deep, long-term relationships to flourish are even more powerful. These relationships create a ripple of impact that is often hard to see and measure because they happen beyond the walls of FLNSD. They are happening in all corners of the community – new friendships, partnerships, collaborations, programs, projects…all because people met, connected, and bonded through FLNSD.

The Zoom last week was a perfect example of that . . .

Chris had called me a few weeks earlier with an amazing opportunity and idea for a leadership development program. We bounced some thoughts around and, rather than trying to run the program himself, he offered maybe it could “live” at Clare Rose / FLNSD. It’s that spirit of reciprocity that powers the Fieldstone Network. Those who have greatly benefitted from FLNSD are always coming back to give back and pay it forward for others.

No one could have predicted 20 years ago when I met Janine, 18 years ago when I met Chris, or 10 years ago when I met Anne, that we would be in the deep relationships we are in and sitting on a Zoom planning a new program for the greater good of nonprofit leaders in San Diego. But that’s the power of FLNSD – A ripple of deep relationships and reciprocity that allows for these partnerships to emerge and take flight.

Matt D’Arrigo, Director of Creative Youth Development, Clare Rose Foundation

Matt D’Arrigo has dedicated the past 20 years of his life to being a champion and advocate for the arts and young people. He is the Director of Creative Youth Development at the Clare Rose Foundation and the Co-Founder of The Clare Rose Center for Creative Youth Development (CYD) in San Diego, CA. With a small team, D’Arrigo oversees local, regional, and national strategy, investments, advocacy, coalition building, and field building activities.

Prior to joining Clare Rose Foundation, D’Arrigo was the Founder and CEO of A Reason To Survive (ARTS), a nationally recognized CYD organization based in National City, CA. His work with ARTS was the subject of the 2013 Academy Award winning documentary short “Inocente”, featured on the Today Show, was a case study in the New York Times best-selling book “Decisive” by Chip and Dan Heath, and profiled in Darius Graham’s book “Being the Difference: True Stories of Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things to Change the World”. His work in philanthropy with Clare Rose was recently featured in the New York Times.

D’Arrigo is co-founder of the National CYD Funders Forum and Arts Amplifying Youth (AAY!). He sits on the boards of the National Guild for Community Arts Education, Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties, and is Vice-Chair of the San Diego Regional Arts & Culture Coalition. He also sits on the National Partnership for Creative Youth Development and the Arts Ed Impact Group for Grant Makers for Education. Matt is a gradutate of Fieldstone’s Executive Learning Group and Coaching programs and now serves as coach and Creative Encounters facilitator for the Network.

He lives in Point Loma with his wife Hulya, kids Tessa and Andrew, and their dog Max.

 

Each week during our 40th anniversary year, a member of our Network will share what Fieldstone means to them and how being a part of this learning and leadership community has impacted them and the work they do to serve the community.

If you have a story you would like to contribute to our collection, please contact Janine Mason.

 

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We Are Hiring!

A Rare Opportunity to Become Part of our Fieldstone Team

Are you looking for an opportunity to engage in meaningful work that directly impacts the nonprofit sector? If so, consider joining our team.

We are currently looking to hire for our Program Coordinator position. The Program Coordinator will work:

• Coordinating and managing various programs designed to support nonprofit leaders.
• Providing exceptional hospitality and creating a welcoming atmosphere for all participants.
• Independently managing tasks and proactively addressing challenges as they arise.
• Maintaining a high level of organization and effectively multitasking to handle multiple programs simultaneously.
• Collaborating with a diverse network of nonprofit professionals to facilitate connections and collaborations.

We are looking for an individual with significant technology/computer skills who is passionate about the nonprofit sector. The ideal candidate will possess:

• A strong passion for community engagement and the nonprofit sector.
• A commitment to providing exceptional hospitality and creating an inclusive environment.
• The ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Strong computer and organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple programs effectively.
• Excellent multitasking abilities and the capacity to adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships with a diverse group of nonprofit leaders.

This position provides:

• Flexible, part-time, and hybrid work schedule to accommodate work-life balance.
• Opportunities for professional development programs and experiences to enhance your skills.
• Engagement in broad and impactful work within a network of hundreds of nonprofit leaders.
• A positive and collaborative work environment that values diversity and inclusivity.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter to [email protected]

Full job description can be found HERE

Clare Rose Foundation/Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

 

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Gained a Sense of Wonder

I first connected with Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego in March of 2021 participating in the Equity Journey 1.0 and Equity Journey 2.0 series back to back. This country was still dealing with the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd in May of 2020 and the trial of the person placed in the position to be a protector, not to mention the numerous protests.

I had recently joined a new agency, The Corporation for Supportive Housing, CSH,  where my supervisor offered me the opportunity to engage with equity work. On my 3^rd day at CSH, there was an all-staff monthly meeting known as the Racial Equity Call. These calls commenced at the agency in 2019 as a safe space to build connection and community with “CSHers” on our collective and individual journeys of anti-racism practice and to learn how to apply a critical race equity analysis to all aspects of our work. This was all new to me, a commitment at this level.

In the Equity Journey series, the focus was on personal learning, then agency impact, and lastly, social justice (Equity Journey 3.0). What can I do to enhance racial equity and social justice within my work, my agency? It was in one of the Equity Journey 2.0 sessions when I realized I was not learning this material for my edification. I now found myself entrenched in a journey that greatly moves me to my core when discoursing, the issues of racial equity.

After the experience of the Equity Journeys, I took the opportunity to enroll in the Fieldstone Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group where I got the chance to meet Janine in person for the first time in 2 years (we had only been in programs together on Zoom).  The leadership groups and the equity journeys are designed to enhance leadership skills and promote understanding and action around equity and social justice issues. The process that unfolded over the next six months was transformational. Key takeaways for me include:

• Increased self-awareness in my leadership approach by reflecting on my own values biases and assumptions. The leadership program helped me to understand how my background and perspectives shape my leadership approach.
• Enhanced leadership skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and decision-making.
• Understanding of equity and social justice gaining a deeper understanding of discrimination, privilege, power dynamics, and their impact on individuals and communities.
• Empathy and perspective taking, learning to value and respect different viewpoints, and gaining a better understanding of the experiences of marginalized individuals and communities. Coming at the issue with a sense of wonder as Janine might say.
• Action-oriented mindset taking action to promote positive change by applying the learning and insights to a personal and professional context. The problem-solving skills of this cohort were a master class.

I believe I have greatly increased my leadership abilities in the short time I have engaged with Fieldstone.  I frequently look at challenges from a different perspective. I come with a sense of wonder and work to promote a positive outcome for all stakeholders involved.  Thank you Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego.

Bernie Miles, Senior Program Manager, Corporation for Supportive Housing

 

Bernie sees himself as a transformational leader with a strong emphasis on solution focus approach to problem solving.  He believes communication, teamwork and the ability to laugh are essential components to dynamic, successful teambuilding. He is currently serving as the Senior Program Manager for the Corporation for Supportive Housing.  In the past, he has lead teams as Veterens Village, Episcopal Community Services, Fr. Joe’s Villages and Case de Amparo.  He has served as a high school wrestling coach for more than eight years.  Bernie graduated from Fieldstone’s Nonprofit Leaders Group in June 2023 and participated in The Equity Journey series from 2020-2022.  

 

Each week during our 40th anniversary year, a member of our Network will share what Fieldstone means to them and how being a part of this learning and leadership community has impacted them and the work they do to serve the community.

If you have a story you would like to contribute to our collection, please contact Janine Mason.

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An Incredible Base and Network of Colleagues

I was first introduced to the Fieldstone Leadership Network when I accepted the position of Executive Director for HomeAid Orange County in 1998.  One of the first things that Mike Lennon (my predecessor and founder of HomeAid) said I needed to do, was to get involved with Fieldstone.  He said it would be a base of people that would help me as a new executive director. I dove right in, not only did I join a peer learning group, but I also ultimately became a coach and participated in as many programs and retreats as I could.  Fieldstone gave me an incredible base and network of colleagues that to this day are a part of my professional career. However, nothing could have prepared me for the indescribable and life (and organization) changing gift it was for being chosen as one of four executive directors, awarded the Fieldstone Clare Rose Sabbatical in 2019.

It was truly a priceless gift of time to reflect, renew, and build into myself personally and professionally that in turn, helped me build into others.  I could not have asked for a more effective use of the opportunity and the lessons that I have learned along the way.  In the end, I have grown as an individual and as a leader, and so has (at the time) my interim executive director and long-term colleague Gina Cunningham and the board of directors and staff of HomeAid Orange County. As I reflect on my Fieldstone Clare Rose Sabbatical and look at the program Logic Model and desired Outcomes, I clearly see movement in the key areas outlined.  The Clare Rose Sabbatical strengthened me as well as Gina Cunningham and HomeAid overall. An unexpected outcome is that I am the Chief Executive Officer of HomeAid America, and Gina Cunningham is the Executive Director of HomeAid Orange County. The purpose and intent of the sabbatical was fulfilled and truly multiplied its initial impact and I could not be more thankful for the Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego.

I was renewed physically and emotionally as well as in my mental health.  I understood, pursued, and experienced a work/life balance and I clearly improved my personal relationships with my wife and three daughters. The ability to intentionally take a break from work and even household tasks and other responsibilities allowed me to connect with my family members in meaningful ways of rest, relaxation and to engage and be present with them in activities that bring them joy and fulfillment. The sabbatical offered me the chance to disconnect from external distractions, focus on each other, and engage in meaningful conversations, meals, and other activities that strengthened our relationship as a family ultimately creating a sense of belonging and support.

Organizationally, I saw an increase in HomeAid’s capacity.  Human capital was increased not only with staff but the board of directors through this process in their decision-making as having a broader understanding of the organization.  We saw an increase in social capital as leadership was not only shared but passed on and there was an increase in communication and collaboration between staff, the board of directors, and the interim executive director.  As a result, there was a stronger commitment to the organization by not only myself but everyone involved.

In the end, there was an increase in structural capital (intangible assets and resources such as infrastructure, systems, processes, and intellectual property) as a result of my pursuing and accepting the position of CEO of HomeAid America and Gina being offered and accepting the position of Executive Director of HomeAid Orange County.

I am truly humbled and will forever be grateful for this opportunity and the gift of the Fieldstone Clare Rose Sabbatical and all that the Fieldstone Leadership Network has built into my life.

Scott Larson, CEO, HomeAid America

 

Scott Larson, has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 30 years.  He serves as the CEO of HomeAid America, a role he took after completing his Clare Rose Sabbatical.  Prior to this role, Scott was the Executive Director of HomeAid Orange County for 21 years.  Leading the founding chapter, Scott is credited with uniting builders, community leaders, service providers and government officials to lead the development of 33 housing projects, valued at $64 million, and adding 975 beds to the region.  Scott earned his Bachelor of Science at Biola University and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.  He has participated in learning groups, served as a Fieldstone coach, participated in our leadership retreats and taken a Clare Rose Sabbatical.  

 

 

Each week during our 40th anniversary year, a member of our Network will share what Fieldstone means to them and how being a part of this learning and leadership community has impacted them and the work they do to serve the community.

If you have a story you would like to contribute to our collection, please contact Janine Mason.

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Grateful I Said “Yes”

What if I hadn’t said yes? What if I hadn’t been asked? How would my leadership story be different?

I’m honored to claim a long, deep history with the Fieldstone Leadership Network spanning the past 35 years. Janine Mason and I met in 1987 when she was a program officer for the Fieldstone Foundation, and I was a new CEO at Home Start. At that time Fieldstone was a corporate grant maker with an elegant philosophy and genuine cash support. It was my first experience with a funder that respected nonprofit leaders as much as corporate ones. Even today, this regard is rare.

Fast forward to 1993, when Fieldstone offered me a year of free coaching services from Levasis Ministries. I didn’t know what coaching would offer but I said yes, and quickly realized the pivotal value of coaching when Home Start lost an essential contract that year. With coaching support, we took a deep dive into Home Start’s mission. Driven by new energy and purpose, Home Start grew to serve even more families, recouping its financial losses within a year. Looking back, I believe having a coach was key to the success and speed of Home Start’s recovery. Thank goodness I’d said yes!

I said yes again when Fieldstone invited me to join its first executive learning group. I decided first to finish my coaching year and then joined the 2^nd group in 1995. That’s when the ground shifted under my career-climbing feet. Maybe I wasn’t an imposter after all and maybe all that instinctual, visceral stuff I’d been saying and doing at work, had a genuine basis in the field? I found my passion in leadership work and was so impressed with the peer-learning model that I asked if I could become a facilitator. Thankfully her answer was yes and for the next 22 years, I facilitated more than 35 executive and emerging nonprofit learning groups in Newport Beach, Salt Lake City and San Diego. I felt then, now, and always that this work was the deepest privilege of my career. For the small part I played in developing nonprofit leaders, I received fundamentally more…the benefit of their wisdom, experiences and humanity, and the opportunity to fully live and give my passion.

If you’ve experienced a learning group, you know their special nature, and if you’ve read the evaluations, you know their efficacy. But what stands out about the learning groups is what drew me to the work to begin with. Over the decades I’ve come to know the learning groups as unique, exquisite and magical experiences for most who participate. Unique always because the constellation of every group is different, yielding different dynamics…exquisite because of the sacred space, and the lack of politics and outside pressures…and magical because the problem-solving process used by the groups worked 90% of the time even if the solutions didn’t. There was something about being a learning group participant…the universe would tag you for success.

Yes was the answer again in 2021 when Janine asked me to help update the learning group curriculums. It was the opportunity to infuse two decades of experience into the curriculum design along with today’s most relevant content. In a nutshell, it was legacy work…an unexpected gift and another great privilege in my career.

I can’t finish my Fieldstone reflection without a few words about its leadership, namely Janine, who has become a cherished colleague and friend over the years. I’ve watched her mature from a young program officer to the graceful visionary who leads this worthy organization. Under her stewardship, FLNSD has become a deeply relevant leadership organization garnering both local and national recognition.

As I said on Fieldstone’s 20^th anniversary, “it was my lucky day when Janine Mason visited me at Home Start in the late 1980’s. We talked in my dilapidated storefront for hours and made a true connection that altered my life and career. That connection was the catalyst of my leadership story, and it has led to the discovery of my best self through leadership exploration and practice. Thank goodness I said yes!

With deep appreciation,

Laura Spiegel

Laura Spiegel began her career doing youth development work in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. After earning an MSW from Arizona State University in 1979, Laura moved to San Diego to start her career in earnest. For the next 30 years, Laura worked progressively upstream to prevent childhood adversity. For 6 years, Laura worked in delinquency prevention at SAY San Diego before taking a job with the City of Escondido in child abuse prevention. In 1987, Laura became the CEO of Home Start, Inc., serving 16 years before becoming the director of the First 5 Commission of San Diego, where she served for 6 years.

Affiliated with the Fieldstone since the late 1980’s, Laura  participated in an Executive Learning Group in 1995 and the Advanced Learning Group in 2000, she served as a coach from 1996-1998 and, between 1999 and 2021 has facilitated more than 35 executive and emerging leadership learning groups for the Network. After a move to Flagstaff, Arizona, Laura became the manager of education initiatives for United Way of Northern Arizona, where she served for several years before becoming a full-time organizational consultant for the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, conducting organizational assessments and providing technical assistance to children’s organizations throughout northern Arizona. Laura continues to consult with nonprofit organizations in Arizona and southern California.

 

Each week during our 40th anniversary year, a member of our Network will share what Fieldstone means to them and how being a part of this learning and leadership community has impacted them and the work they do to serve the community.

If you have a story you would like to contribute to our collection, please contact Janine Mason.

 

 

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Unique Support and Genuine Investment

Being a nonprofit leader is fulfilling, exciting, challenging and honestly, sometimes lonely.  I first “met” Fieldstone in its previous role as a community grantmaker.  I quickly saw the unique value they added to the overall nonprofit network and the leaders of these organizations.

I joined the Fieldstone Executive Learning Group as a new CEO who was juggling staff engagement, board development, program implementation, fundraising and strategic planning.  The Executive Learning Group provided a dedicated space for me to focus on my own learning and growth as a leader, as well as an opportunity to make connections with fellow nonprofit leaders.

As a CEO, it can be hard to find a thought partner that can help you think things through.  Your partner is probably tired of hearing about it, other friends or colleagues may not understand the nuances of the nonprofit world, you can’t talk to your staff and you are nervous to share too much with your Board.  The Executive Learning Group was a place that I could be vulnerable about challenges I was facing.  I received candid feedback, suggestions of questions to consider and offers to support even deeper.  It was also a space where my day-to-day was normalized, as I met on a monthly basis with 12 other people who were in the same position and could relate.  This Network, the facilitation (thank you Tom Hall), Janine Mason’s leadership and the intentional space for self-reflection helped me grow as a leader, and helped my organization grow.

More than five years later, I still call on some of the relationships I made during the program.  I have recommended Fieldstone to other nonprofit leaders at various levels, as an incredible resource to help them in their own career and their impact in the community.

Now, as a Fieldstone Coach, I continue to see the value that Fieldstone provides to our sector.  Beyond the group setting, having a system that provides 360 reviews, guided goal setting, and a year of individual coaching is such a gift!  I learned new skills and techniques during my coach training and have been honored to be a sounding board for my coachee.

I have spent my entire career in the nonprofit space and have been able to develop relationships with other nonprofit executives across the nation.  Very few of them have the unique support and genuine investment that Fieldstone makes in the San Diego region.  We are lucky to have Fieldstone supporting our sector for the last 40 years and I know that countless more individuals and organizations will continue to benefit from their dedication to, and passion, for the nonprofit community.

Shaina Gross

Most recently, Shaina Gross served as the Vice President of Client Services at the San Diego Workforce Partnership.  She provided strategic vision and implementation for a portfolio of over $30 million in workforce funding, helping Youth and Adults with education attainment, skill development and job placement.  This included managing six job center locations across the county, serving 100k customers annually, as well as serving specific populations such as individuals experiencing homelessness, opportunity youth, individuals with disabilities, and justice-involved individuals.  Prior to coming to the Workforce Partnership, she served as the President & CEO of Susan G. Komen San Diego and the Senior Vice President & Chief Impact Officer at United Way of San Diego County.  She has spent her career designing programs, developing partnerships, and creating policy to address the social determinants of health, including education, income, and opportunity. 

Born and raised in New York, Shaina received her BA in Sociology and her master’s degree in Public Health, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.   She is a LEAD San Diego Graduate, a nominee for the Herb Klein Visionary Award, was recognized as a 40 under 40 business professional in San Diego, and was a winner of the San Diego Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business award.  She serves a board member for the Continuum of Care, the City Commission on Gang Violence and Prevention and the City of San Diego Parks & Recreation Board.  She is also the Secretary of Catalyst San Diego and the grants co-chair of Women Give San Diego. 

Outside of work, you can find her spending time with her family, seeking out live music, watching Tar Heel basketball, and enjoying the many great restaurants San Diego has to offer. 

 

Each week during our 40th anniversary year, a member of our Network will share what Fieldstone means to them and how being a part of this learning and leadership community has impacted them and the work they do to serve the community.

If you have a story you would like to contribute to our collection, please contact Janine Mason.

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Creating Space for Us to Grow Together

Leadership is a critical aspect of any organization, and effective leadership skills can make all the difference in the success of a team or company. But where do we learn these skills? While some people learn exclusively through experience and trial and error, others are fortunate enough to participate in leadership programs like Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego that provide the invaluable tools, resources, and connections that better equip effective leaders. For forty years, I have been one of those fortunate individuals, having had the opportunity to be part of the inaugural Fieldstone Executive Learning Group and many of the Network’s programs since.

I feel like Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego  and I have grown up together over the years. When I joined the Network at its inception I ran a small nonprofit out of the South Bay in San Diego and as Fieldstone has grown in expertise and impact so have I and the organization I lead. SBCS now serves more than 50,000 people per year all across San Diego County through innovative, transformative programs. I have no doubt that the relationships and knowledge I gained through Fieldstone made this growth possible.

I’ve taken part in various training programs and events, which have equipped me with the necessary tools to excel in my career, but I think the most valuable part of the Network is relationships I’ve built with other local leaders. Being part of a growing community has allowed me to network and connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and industries, providing me with valuable insights and perspectives. There is a sense of mutual understanding and mutual respect that creates a space for us to grow together, even after all of these years!

In fact, the very first thing I learned when I was part of Fieldstone’s first Learning Group cohort, was that each one of us, no matter how many years of experience we had or how big, small, old, or new our organization was, is that we all questioned if we were qualified for our jobs. What a revelation it was to gain insight into best practices and learn from my peers’ successes and failures knowing that we were all growing alongside one another, on the same team.

One of the best things about Fieldstone is its focus on the individual rather than the organization. The program aims to develop the person as a whole, helping them acquire new skills, make valuable connections, and gain deeper insights. The lessons learned and experiences gained through this program remain with the individual, regardless of their career path. Through Fieldstone, leaders invest in themselves, and the organization(s) that they work with benefit as well.

I thank everyone who has made Fieldstone such an asset to our region over the years. Cheers to many more anniversaries!

 

Kathryn Lembo, President and CEO of SBCS

Kathryn Lembo is President & CEO of SBCS, a nonprofit organization which transforms communities to support the well-being and prosperity of more than 50,000 San Diego children, youth and families annually. The organization employs over 400 individuals with a budget over $35 million and maintains over 400 units of affordable housing, yet remains both community owned and operated, from its local Board of Directors to the community-based Promotoras. 

It is under Kathie’s leadership that SBCS has become one of only two organizations with multiple Promise Neighborhood Programs.  She has also been instrumental in policy reform, resulting in the County of San Diego’s reallocation of Juvenile Justice Detention dollars to community prevention programs. Kathie is an innovative leader and her forward-thinking has contributed to the success of SBCS over the years, shown most recently by the success of the Unaccompanied Youth Shelter at the San Diego Convention Center, which became the gold standard for other shelters and programs across the country.

In 2021 Kathie was recognized as Non-Profit CEO of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal. Under her leadership, SBCS has recently received honors including the inaugural “Inspire and Enable” award from The San Diego Foundation, being named a “Community Hero” by the San Diego Union Tribune, and the Live Well San Diego Annual Public Health Champion award.

Kathie has been part of the Fieldstone Network since its inception and has taken part in many of its programs. She currently helps match coaches to coachees.

 

Each week during our 40th anniversary year, a member of our Network will share what Fieldstone means to them and how being a part of this learning and leadership community has impacted them and the work they do to serve the community.

If you have a story you would like to contribute to our collection, please contact Janine Mason.

 

 

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The Venue for Attaining the Artistry of Leadership.

The first time I met Janine Mason some 14-15 years ago, I didn’t realize how impactful she and the then Fieldstone Leadership Network (now Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego) would have on my organization and for my own professional growth. As it has with many leaders and their organizations, Fieldstone, is valued resource for Mama’s Kitchen, the organization I’ve had the privilege of leading for over 20 years.

Most of our leadership team has participated in one or more of Fieldstone’s programs. Consistently, their leadership growth/evolution has been palpable: how they approach their role in the organization, their leadership evolution, and even interacting skills, like tone and cadence, that may otherwise go unnoticed. As a result, our work environment is imbued with inquiry, listening, and creating safe spaces for fuller engagement and commitment.

My years of participation in the Network have increased my awareness of what it truly means to be a leadership in the nonprofit sector. It has simultaneously been an exercise in growth and humility. My definition of success has been altered: the journey has become as important as the outcome.  Consistent with our core values, we achieve our mission with integrity; in a manner that dignifies and respects those engaged in the expression of our mission: staff, volunteers, donors, service recipients, board of directors, and the broader community of collaborators.

There are aspects of the nonprofit sector that both distract and define us as leaders. Critical components like strategic planning, financials, the management of government grants, human resources management, and fundraising, are some that come to mind. There is no dismissing of the importance of these components in organizational management. The insight of understanding and deciphering these components is critical for the work that we do. And beyond that, executing with grace, patience, kindness, humility and confidence is the art of leadership. And Fieldstone provides the venue for attaining the artistry of leadership.

Alberto Cortés, CEO, Mama’s Kitchen

Alberto Cortés has been working in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years. He serves as CEO of Mama’s Kitchen. Alberto also serves on the board of directors of San Diego Pride, has been coaching nonprofit leaders for close to 10 years as part of the Fieldstone coaching program, serves on the San Diego HIV Planning Group. Alberto has participated in the following Fieldstone Programs: Executive Learning Group, the Coaching Program, the Leadership Reading Group. Additionally, he had the privilege of being in the first cohort of participants in the Clare Rose Sabbatical Program in 2014.

 

 

 

Each week during our 40th anniversary year, a member of our Network will share what Fieldstone means to them and how being a part of this learning and leadership community has impacted them and the work they do to serve the community.

If you have a story you would like to contribute to our collection, please contact Janine Mason.

 

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A Celebration 40 Years in the Making!

VISION COMING TO FRUITION AS NETWORK MARKS RUBY ANNIVERSARY

Gathering at the nonprofit Thursday Club, more than 200 nonprofit and community leaders joined Fieldstone in celebrating its 40th anniversary.  The energy was palpable as learning groups, coaches, funders, supporters and community leaders had mini reunions throughout the space.  Photo booths and selfie-stations provided activities for friends and colleagues to have fun together.  Many members said the event had the feeling of a “family wedding in all of the best ways”.

 

The celebration event was catered by Toast and included custom cupcakes featuring the 40th anniversary theme of BUILD, LEAD, SUSTAIN and AMPLIFY.

Fieldstones engraved with CELBRATE were given to each guest as a souvenir but also as a reminder that “leaders understand the value of celebrating people and milestones and everyday moments of success and good effort”.

 

 

City and Congressional Proclamations

June 29th, 2023 was declared Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego Day by the San Diego City Council as a proclamation was presented by Councilmember Kent Lee from the 6th District.  Lee is a graduate of Fieldstone’s Learning Group program and spoke eloquently on the impact Fieldstone has had on his career and his life, “leading him to where he is today”. FLNSD also received a proclamation from Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, District 51, which was presented by Matt D’Arrigo.

   

Achieving Our Vision

Using a quote from Mother Theresa, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.”  Mason shared with her guests how “Fieldstones” (our members) are constantly cast throughout our community and, that the impact of those stones, their personal impact, continues to reverberate throughout our community, making their way to others and transforming lives in ways we could never have imagined.  She went on to say, “Whether these ripples are seen or unseen, they represent the dramatic consequences of being part of our Network. A ripple can take many shapes: increased confidence, a new collaboration, a shared resource, a friendship, a dream job, or a renewed store of energy. While a ripple may seem secondary, it has great power to impact the quality of our lives and our leadership. This is the real magic of Fieldstone.”

 

“Words” from the Members

As part of the festivities, Mason was surprised by a presentation from Network Members.   Lee Ann Kim produced a video for her with members sharing words that described her and gifts she had given them.  A handcrafted piece by Michelle Schneider featuring all of the words, four hearts to represent the four decades and a ruby to mark the 40th anniversary was gifted to Janine.  Lee Ann Kim and Michael Carr also spoke as part of the presentation.  Kim, self-identifying as a Fieldstone Super Fan, introduced the video saying that “words are Janine’s superpower”  – “we know how much she values words and how much they mean to her because of how she shares them with us through meaningful conversations, blessings, poetry, and inspirational writings.  Kim expressed love to Mason for allowing Members “to live out their life purpose and live our best lives”.   Carr shared that each of those words describe the fundamental uniqueness of what Mason has done to hold a vision over many decades.   Carr went on to point out that Janine manages all of us for the” sake of the mission without any formal authority and pointed out that they are all there (as part of the Network), not because they are paid to be there, but because everyone is a direct recipient of the Fieldstone mission.  He said, “our leadership has been supported and enhanced” by Mason’s work and “as a result our organizations and our sector are vastly more effective and our organizations and sector have been enhanced”.  Carr called Mason an “absolute champion of the nobility and importance of our work and our organizations.”  Watch Michael’s Presentation Here

After the event, Mason reflected, “as we gathered to celebrate our 40^th year and I looked out on all of the faces in the ballroom, I could see our vision of a well-developed, highly effective, deeply connected nonprofit sector was coming to fruition!  Here was a large group of skilled and successful leaders who were in relationship to each other, enjoying being together.  I knew it was happening, but this anniversary drew me up to 30,000 feet and showed me in a new way how we are accomplishing exactly what we set out to do!  It is quite a feeling.  Of course, we will never put ourselves out of business as there will always be more to learn and new people to get to know. But we have reached a tipping point and its matters and it is a magnificent feeling!”  Mason was grateful for the surprise tribute.

A Communal Story

The story of Fieldstone is one which has always been communal and to celebrate this milestone, it made sense that these chapters would be written collectively.   As a result, Fieldstone created an anniversary blog which features the experience of a Network member.  It is produced each Monday on the Network’s website.  Each post uniquely captures the depth and breadth of Fieldstone’s impact on our nonprofit leaders and the ripples that have been created as a result of our leadership community.  The blog will continue through 2023 and then each post will be included in a bound book.

Thank You

Fieldstone’s anniversary event was sponsored by Clare Rose Foundation, Alliant Educational Foundation, Blair Search Partners, Rancho Santa Fe Foundation and United Way of San Diego.  Viewpoint Brewing was the beverage partner for the anniversary event.

 

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