Contributed To My Ability To Be Successful
I have been a non-profit leader for almost 25 years. Professional development has been a cornerstone of my career. I have learned so many important lessons. Lessons that were useful at one point and time, and lessons that have served me for many years and continue to serve me and those I interact with daily. My Fieldstone experience is one that I have leaned on since the day I joined...Read More
Coming Home To The Place I Was Meant To Be
On January 13, 1997, I walked into the Superior Court offices of Voices for Children as the new CEO—full of hope, scared to death, and overwhelmed with the challenges confronting this organization which recruits, trains, and supervises Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for foster children. I was the fourth CEO in four years, and faced a disgruntled Juvenile Court Presiding Judge, a...Read More
Transforming the San Diego Community Networked As One
This past weekend while listening to an On Being podcast, host Krista Tippet referenced a quote from evolutionary biologist Lynn Margulis: “Life did not take over the world by combat, but by networking.” While this quote’s direct context reflects on the natural world, we all know it is not uncommon that truth in one area often mirrors a universal truth that pervades all...Read More
Has Made A Difference
As I reach the retirement milestone in my 43-year career advancing arts and culture, I reflect on what has made a difference to my achieving success as a leader in my organization, the arts sector, and in the community. The list is lengthy, filled with Mentors, Colleagues, Nonprofits with impactful missions, and Volunteer Experiences. Alan with fellow Fieldstone Member Nancy Jamison at a...Read More
A Quiet but Long-Lasting Impact
Coming to San Diego to take a position as a first time Executive Director of a start-up non-profit was a big leap of faith for me. I soon realized that the ED position is challenging in so many ways! At that point, I found out about Fieldstone Leadership Network, which has been crucial in so many ways in my 17-year career. It is clear that Janine Mason has created the perfect environment for...Read More
A Cutting-Edge Leadership Community
In building terms, a fieldstone is important because each one is unique and when put together, they make structures sound and beautiful. What many do not realize, it is the cornerstone that is the most important. A cornerstone is the most important because it is the first stone in which the entire structure rests and it lays the direction for the entire structure. Janine Mason is the...Read More
Remembering Judy McDonald
She was my colleague. She was my mentor. She was my friend. I had a special relationship with Judy McDonald. That’s why, of all the pictures we have taken together over the past 35 years, this is one of my favorites. It was a tender moment of celebration and a moment that held all we had been to each other and would continue to be to each other. And when I look at Judy’s face, I...Read More
A Ripple Effect of Goodness
A wise soul once said “The purpose of life is to find your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give it away”. Fieldstone has helped guide me in all three through their programs, people, and values. I began my nonprofit career after 20+ years in the for-profit sector, was convinced I found my purpose, and had definite ideas on how I was going to...Read More
