Nonprofit Leadership Academy graduates to be recognized

Class II of the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation's Generation Next Nonprofit Leadership Academy (Gen Next) will graduate from its 9-month training on May 14 at the A.E. England Building in Phoenix. Funded by a generous contribution from American Express, Gen Next is a cohort of the Valley's top emerging nonprofit leaders, chosen to participate in training that provides them with the knowledge and tools needed to take on leadership roles within the nonprofit community. The program is comprised of best practice approaches to leading and managing nonprofits that include renowned professors and practitioner instructors at ASU as well as established nonprofit leaders from organizations that engage with the ASU Lodestar Center.

Those graduating from Gen Next:

• Rosa Maria Acevedo, Arizona Quest for Kids
• Celeste Atkins, Boys & Girls Club of Sierra Vista
• Barbara Blalock, Treasures 4 Teachers
• Brigitte Dayton, Catholic Community Foundation
• Christina Diss, ASU Foundation
• Leah Iverson, Southwest Network
• Jacque Jackson, Victory High School
• Jessica Johnson, Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Sarah Levin, Muscular Dystrophy Association
• Claudia Maldonado, Keogh Health Foundation
• Michael Mayhew, Florence Crittenton of Arizona
• Megan McKeever, Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce
• Kim Phillips, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• Jessica Shea, National Bank of Arizona
• Angela Taylor, Habitat for Humanity, Central Arizona
• Gina Trotter, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona
• Nicola Winkel, Arizona Coalition for Military Families
• Pete Ziebron

“The Generation Next program opened so many doors for me and my organization,” said Barbara Blalock, Executive Director of Treasures 4 Teachers. “I gained a new pool of colleagues through networking, I learned of new funding sources and received new funding, I was introduced to the media and received media coverage, and I learned best practices in nonprofit leadership, not to mention the skills and education I gained for my future growth in this amazing field.”

Laura Capello, Manager of Community Relations and Special Projects at the ASU Lodestar Center, is beyond pleased with this second class of Gen Next graduates.

“I have seen so much growth with this group of nonprofit leaders,” said Capello. “They have taken advantage of every opportunity put in front of them and run with it.”

Applications for Gen Next Class III are now available at http://nonprofit.asu.edu. The early application deadline is May 14 and regular deadline is June 14, so potential applicants are encouraged to act quickly.

The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation is recognized as a national leader in undergraduate and graduate nonprofit education, research and technical assistance. The ASU Lodestar Center exists to enhance the quality of life in communities through the advancement of nonprofit leadership practices and provides knowledge and tools to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations, professionals, board members, donors and volunteers by offering a selection of capacity building workshops, conferences, classes, and programs. For more information, visit: http://nonprofit.asu.edu.

Amy Cox O'Hara, amy.ohara@asu.edu
602-496-0185
Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation