New Program to Support Early Career Executive Directors
Because Beginnings Matter
As San Diego experiences a wave of leadership transitions in the nonprofit sector, many newly appointed executive directors are stepping into this role for the first time. While this evolution often results in a loss of long-term experience, it also presents opportunities for innovation, fresh perspectives and renewed energy. Recognizing the need for critical support at the beginning of an Executive Director’s career, we have created “LAUNCH”, a nine-week program designed to empower early career Executive Directors with the tools, knowledge, and support network necessary to excel in their role and drive positive change within their organization and community.
Research underscores the critical importance of continuous learning for sustained leadership success within nonprofits, making a commitment to ongoing education through LAUNCH not just beneficial for an individual’s growth, but also for the resilience and impact of the organization they lead. Moreover, LAUNCH emphasizes the value of building meaningful relationships within the sector, especially with those also beginning their Executive Director careers. Because we understand that these leaders and their relationships could prove influential for decades to come, we felt it was important to take the time to create a new program to serve these leaders. Knowing that how one starts an endeavor is critical, it feels necessary for us to invest in them early in their executive director careers.
Led by seasoned executives renowned for their expertise and success in the nonprofit sector, each weekly session delves deep into essential topics such as governance, finances, fundraising, HR, and organizational planning. Drawing from their personal experiences, as well as contemporary practices and theories, the facilitators will provide valuable insights and guidance throughout the program. Each session will be led by a pair of leaders, ensuring diverse perspectives and deep expertise are shared. Our team includes:
- Torrie Dunlap
- James Halliday
- Lesslie Keller
- Sharon Lawrence
- Janine Mason
- Sue Schaffner
- Donald Stump
- Karen Terra
- Rhea Van Brocklin
- Ismena Valdez
The Fieldstone website has detailed information on each of the 9 sessions.
The program kicks off on September 25th with a cohort gathering aimed at community building. The first academic session will follow on October 2 and continue through November 20th. Each session will take place at Fieldstone’s offices in University City.
By prioritizing the professional growth of early career Executives during this critical juncture, we are confident we will cultivate a robust foundation for sustained success not only for individual leaders and their respective organization, but also for the advancement of our sector. Our investment ensures that those who have embraced executive leadership are equipped to tackle challenges effectively, build trusted relationships with other leaders, and find personal fulfillment in this significant role” said Janine Mason, Fieldstone’s Founding Director.
Applications for our premiere cohort are being accepted now. Due to the large interest list, the program is expected to fill quickly. Thus, interested leaders are encouraged to apply early.