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The City of San Diego Nonprofit Academy
Building Resilience and Sustainability
Thursday September 10, 2020
Join us for the City of San Diego Nonprofit Academy, a one-day comprehensive virtual program presented by The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego and sponsored by the City of San Diego. An award-winning educational program, the City of San Diego Nonprofit Academy has been redesigned to educate and support local nonprofit leaders in ways to maximize their operational efficiency, better compete for grant funding, and leadership in uncertain times.
All workshops and plenaries are led by nonprofit management experts. All classes will be hosted via a virtual format. Participants will receive session links prior to the event and educational materials via email and the event webpage below.
Thanks for Joining Us!
- Schedule At-A-Glance
**Agenda Updates Are Subject to Change**
8:45 - 9:00 am - Announcements and Getting the Most Out of the Academy (All Attendees)
9:00 - 9:20 am - Welcome to the Nonprofit Academy & Opening Remarks (All Attendees)
- Lyn Corbett, Director of Governance and Community Programs, The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego
- Kevin Faulconer, Mayor, City of San Diego
- Christina Bibler, Director of Economic Development, City of San Diego
- Loretta Turner, Leadership Coach
9:20 - 10:40 am - Opening Plenary: Equity in Every Day Action. Equity as the Norm (All Attendees)
- Track A | Facilitator: Bina Patel, CEO, Saathi Impact; Panelists: Emily Young, Executive Director, The Nonprofit Institute; Nancy Maldonado, President and CEO, Chicano Federation of San Diego County; and Marisa Quiroz, Vice President of Programs, International Community Foundation
10:40 - 10:50 am - Format for the Day and Getting the Best Out of the Program | Lyn Corbett, Director of Governance and Community Programs, The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego
11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Morning Elective Courses (Choose One)
- Track A | End 2020 with a Strong Year End Fundraising Appeal (recording) | Sally Dadmun Bixby
- Track B | Adaptive Leadership in Turbulent Times (recording) | Zachary Green
- Track C | Responding to Uncertain Times: Building Resilience and Sustainability from the Legal Perspective (recording) | Mary Tovella Dowling
- Track D | Connecting the Dots: Are you CDBG Ready? (recording) | Michele Marano
- Track E | Resilient Boards: How to Create and Sustain a Strong Board-Staff Partnership (recording) | Pat Libby
12:10 - 1:00pm - Lunch & Community Conversations: A Roadmap for Authentic Community Engagement (All Attendees)
- Track B | Facilitator: Zachary Green, PhD, Director of Leadership Development, The Nonprofit Institute; Panelists: Monte Jones, CEO, Logan Heights CDC; Daniela Kelly, Executive Director, Sherman Heights Community Center; & Mitchelle Woodson, Executive Director, Think Dignity
1:10 - 2:10 pm - Afternoon Plenary: Driving Social Change: Advocacy - Activism - Action
- Track A | Nancy Maldonado, President and CEO, Chicano Federation of San Diego County
2:20 - 3:20 pm - Afternoon Elective Courses (Choose One)
- Track A | Hope is Not a Strategy. Identifying Tools to Develop Your Organization’s Future Strategy (recording) | Lyn Corbett
- Track B | Accountability Within Uncertainty: Value-Based Leadership (recording) | Lorri Sulpizio
- Track C | Program Redesign – What Do You Mean There Isn’t a Manual! (recording) | Laura Deitrick & Val Nash
- Track D | Design Thinking in Action: How Your Organization Can Adapt and Pivot in Times of Crisis (recording) | Karen Henken
- Track E | A Culture of Strategic Financial Planning (recording) | Bob Beatty
3:20 - 3:30 pm - Final Recap & Reflections (All Attendees)| Lyn Corbett, Director of Governance and Community Programs, The Nonprofit Institute
- Session Descriptions
Plenary and All Attendees Courses
Track A | Equity in Every Day Action. Equity as the Norm.
9:20 – 10:50 am (Opening Plenary)
Bina M. Patel, Chief Executive Officer, Saathi Impact; Emily Young, PhD, Executive Director, The Nonprofit Institute; Nancy Maldonado, President and CEO, Chicano Federation of San Diego County; and Marisa Quiroz, Vice President of Programs, International Community FoundationThis moment is calling us to take action, to hold a bigger vision of what is possible to advance justice, equity, and inclusion. There are endless opportunities for each of us everyday to do this work. This session will explore tangible ways to move equity forward and be the vision holders for a better tomorrow.
Track B | A Roadmap for Authentic Community Engagement
12:10 – 1:00 pm (Lunch-time Community Conversations)
Facilitator: Zachary Green, PhD, Director of Leadership Development, The Nonprofit Institute; Panelists: Monte Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Logan Heights Community Development Corporation; Daniela Kelly, Executive Director, Sherman Heights Community Center; and Mitchelle Woodson, Executive Director & Managing Attorney, Think DignityAs nonprofit organizations rebuild their communities, we are called to engage communities with authenticity and integrity. The Session will introduce three organizations that facilitate and support community building practices in San Diego. The organizations will discuss what it means to work together as partners to move communities as close to their collective vision as possible.
1:10 – 2:10 pm (Afternoon Plenary Conversation)
Nancy Maldonado, President and CEO, Chicano Federation of San Diego CountyThis session will explore how nonprofits can drive the change needed for a more just, tolerant, healthy, educated, and equitable San Diego. Participants will first dissect the meanings, definitions and perceptions of advocacy and activism; discuss social change through the lens and constraints of a 501c3; and how organizations can collectively stay true to their mission and enact lasting change while challenging prevailing practices and long held industry standards.
The session promises an engaging dialogue about how the social movement culture has become highly professionalized, particularly through nonprofits which are often supported by corporations and government. Participants will identify ways to keep their personal/professional ideals from blurring in everyday social change work, while still serving as the principal vehicle for government- and corporate-funded services.
Morning Elective Courses Descriptions (Choose One)
Track A | End 2020 With a Strong Year End Fundraising Appeal
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Sally Dadmun Bixby, Founder and Lead, Philanthropy Studio, LLCDoes this sound familiar? It’s late on a Friday afternoon in November (or maybe December but you don’t have to admit this) and you realize you still haven’t written the annual yearend appeal letter. In a panic, you whip out the letter and make a wish it will bring in at least as much as it did last year. Ready to change this? This year let’s start earlier, create a strong ask and find ways to involve your board and staff in raising a record amount of money. (Pro tip- your staff and board can help you raise money without making any asks!) In this workshop we will examine some of the common mistakes made in appeal letters, work with a timeline that has been proven to create more results and handouts that will make the process easier for you. 2020 has been a challenging year- let’s end it on a high note with a profitable year end fundraising campaign.
- Start planning now and raise a record amount of money (yes, even during a pandemic)
- Create a campaign plan that includes engaging ways for you to connect with your donors and bring them closer to your mission
- Handouts included to make this year’s planning process easy and creative
Track B | Adaptive Leadership in Turbulent Times
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Zachary Green, PhD, Professor of Practice, University of San Diego & Director of Leadership Development, The Nonprofit InstituteThese turbulent times are characterized by a multiple pandemic experience. In addition to a deadly virulent contagion, we face the ravaging consequences of climate change, the uncertainty of the economic future, disturbingly intractable political polarization, and seemingly relentless racial unrest. The nonprofit sector will be increasingly essential to help those who are most vulnerable meet the challenges of the current volatility. Yet, technical solutions of the past may be insufficient to meet the demands of the day. This workshop will introduce participants to an adaptive leadership approach that recognizes more than easy answers will be needed for us to survive and thrive once more...together.
Track C | Responding to Uncertain Times: Building Resilience and Sustainability from the Legal Perspective
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Mary Tovella Dowling, Partner, For Purpose Law GroupIn light of an ever-changing legal landscape caused by circumstances out of anyone's control, nonprofits are being pushed out of the comfort zone of traditional operational and fundraising models and forced to think outside of the box to adopt non-traditional revenue streams and programmatic activities to ensure a sustainable future. This session will explore and address how to navigate the legal obstacles faced by today’s nonprofits and equip such organizations with tools to mitigate exposures to common liabilities.
Track D | Connecting the Dots: Are You CDBG Ready?
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Michele Marano, Community Development Coordinator, Economic Development Department, City of San DiegoWhat is a Community Development Block Grant? The City of San Diego provides a variety of funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations serving low- and moderate-income communities, families and individuals. Millions of dollars are awarded to nonprofit organizations on an annual basis using a competitive application process. This session will provide attendees with an overview of the upcoming opportunities available to nonprofits and the knowledge they need to strengthen their applications.
Track E | Resilient Boards: How to Create and Sustain a Strong Board-Staff Partnership
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Pat Libby, CEO and Consultant, Pat Libby ConsultingWhen nonprofit boards are at their best, they provide strategic and operational support that is invaluable to an organization’s success. When they aren’t well functioning, they can sap the energy of even the most committed staff and volunteers. This interactive workshop will explain and guide participants through strategies for:
- Creating an effective and high-impact Board governance structure
- Recruiting and fostering engaged board members
- Engaging staff as proactive thought-partners to Board and committee chairs
You’ll leave the session feeling informed and energized about how to create and lead an effective nonprofit board.
Afternoon Elective Courses Descriptions (Choose One)
Track A | Hope is Not a Strategy. Identifying Tools to Develop Your Organization's Future Strategy
2:10 – 3:10 pm
Lyn Corbett, Director of Governance and Community Programs, The Nonprofit Institute, University of San Diego
Nonprofit organizations are facing disruptive forces that are defying previous patterns and causing unexpected, significant change. Hope is not a strategy! Nonprofit organizations must continue to evolve in the face of social change and seek new strategies to develop traction in their organizations and communities. This session presents models of nonprofit strategy, combined with ideas for practical implementation, with an emphasis on identifying the types of behaviors that either support or destroy good strategy.Track B | Accountability Within Uncertainty: Value-Based Leadership
2:10 – 3:10 pm
Lorri Sulpizio, PhD, Director of the Conscious Leadership Academy, University of San Diego
In times of continued uncertainty and instability, leaders find themselves scrambling to meet the needs of their employees, clients, and stakeholders without losing sight of productivity. How do we hold ourselves and our teams accountable in our current state of complexity? Anchoring to operationalized values is a great way for leaders to set clear guidelines and boundaries and uphold accountability. In this experiential session, we will explore how value-based leadership is critical to current success.Track C | Program Redesign – What Do You Mean There Isn’t a Manual!
2:10 – 3:10 pm
Valerie Nash, Owner, Nash & Associates, and Laura Deitrick, PhD, Associate Director, The Nonprofit Institute, University of San Diego
Designing and redesigning programs these past months has felt very much like the equivalent of building or fixing a plane in mid-air. Without instructions. What we want to do in this workshop is take a collective pause and share – What have we learned? What has worked? What factors are influencing, or should be influencing our decisions? We will also look at some case studies that demonstrate how some of our local providers have modified their programs to adhere to public health requirements, meet increased demand, or accommodate reductions in staffing or resources.Track D | Design Thinking in Action: How Your Organization Can Adapt and Pivot in Times of Crisis
2:10 – 3:10 pm
Karen Henken, PhD, Professor of Practice, Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Kroc School, University of San DiegoCOVID-19 has required the nonprofit sector, and our society overall to rethink our missions, adapt and pivot on how and what we deliver in real time. We need to understand rapidly changing social needs and develop new solutions for the populations we serve with unprecedented speed, fewer resources and evolving timeframes. Many organizations must literally reinvent themselves during this pandemic. Design thinking (or Human-centered design) is a powerful and transformative tool and process that can help organizations adapt during this crisis. Design thinking helps organizations better assess their stakeholder needs, understand core problems and approach designing innovative solutions in new ways to ensure they can adapt, pivot and identify opportunities for long term sustainability. It starts with a deep dive to understand for WHOM you are developing solutions and the root cause of the problems they are experiencing. It encourages creative and inclusive team approaches to rapidly experiment, prototype, iterate and design solutions WITH the community you plan to serve and support.
During this workshop participants will learn some key concepts of design thinking and take away tools in order to apply these principles in the current context of the pandemic. You will learn how design thinking can provide a new framework for you and your teams to be more effective at working with your clients, customers and stakeholders for more effective solution development.
Track E | A Culture of Strategic Financial Planning
2:10 – 3:10 pm
Bob Beatty, Principal Consultant, Beatty & CompanyIt is difficult to plan for situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, but that does not mean we should not try. And while a large cash reserve might allow you to “throw money at the problem”, it does not address the management culture required to proactively manage through uncertain economic environments. A culture of strategic financial planning increases an organization’s ability to thrive under difficult and unforeseen environments. As Dwight Eisenhower said about D-Day - “Planning is everything, the plan is nothing”.
This workshop will identify five components of strategic financial planning and discuss how they may be used to help build a culture able to proactively manage and adapt to severe financial shocks.
Attendees to this session will:
- Identify five components of strategic financial planning
- Consider how each component contributes to a strategic financial planning culture
- Instructor & Presenter Bios
Bob Beatty, Principal Consultant, Beatty & Company
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” - Peter F. Drucker
For over fifteen years, Beatty & Company has been providing financial consulting services exclusively to nonprofits in Southern California. As its principal consultant, Bob brings a perspective that includes fundraising, health & human services, grant making, and government programs. Projects have included cash flow restructuring & turnaround, staff reorganization, and back office consolidation. Since 2001, Bob has served as chief financial officer (full-time, part-time, interim, and advisory) and provided other services for a variety of nonprofits including: Alliance Healthcare Foundation, MAAC Project, Casa De Amparo, Make-A-Wish San Diego, Chicano Federation, San Diego Center for Children, Father Joe’s Villages/ St Vincent DePaul, United Way of San Diego County, and Jewish Federation of San Diego County.
He also serves as adjunct faculty at USD’s Nonprofit Leadership and Management master’s program, teaching nonprofit finance. Bob’s MBA is from Claremont Graduate School (The Drucker School), and his BSc Economics is from Arizona State University.
Christina Bibler, Director, Economic Development, City of San Diego
Christina Bibler is an award-winning economic development professional who has led initiatives supporting economic prosperity for local government and business districts for nearly two decades. She joined the City of San Diego almost three years ago and was recently appointed the Director of Economic Development. Previously, Christina served as Economic Development Manager for the City of Carlsbad, leading its initiatives that brought forth a workforce training institute, significant business expansions, and a talent attraction campaign. Beyond California’s borders, Christina spent six years in Colorado as the Redevelopment Program Manager and Economic Development Administrator for the City of Fort Collins and City of Thornton, respectively. Notable recognitions include nomination as one of California Women’s Leadership Association’s 2016 Women to Watch; an award as of one of the Top 25 Most Influential Young Professionals by ColoradoBiz Magazine; and, as a graduate of the LEAD San Diego Impact class of 2015, receipt of the Herbert G. Klein Memorial Leadership Award. Christina was recognized for completing the California Issues and Trends Program of Leadership through Leadership California in 2017. A San Diego native, Christina earned her Master’s Degree in City Planning, certificate in Community and Economic Development, and Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Arts and Sciences from San Diego State University. She is passionate about giving back and serves as a philanthropic member of the San Diego Women’s Foundation. She resides in north San Diego county with her husband, Chad, a U.S. Navy Commander; and their children, Jonah, 11; Lincoln, 7; and Everett, 11 months.
Lyn Corbett, Director of Governance and Community Programs, The Nonprofit Institute, University of San Diego
Lyn Corbett is the President of The Pivotal Group Consultants Inc., a California-based consulting firm providing organizational development and executive coaching services to nonprofit organizations across the country. Professor Corbett has dedicated his career to strengthening organizations to help build and sustain healthy communities. His professional interests have consistently focused on addressing health disparities and helping corporations, foundations, and non-profit organizations allocate resources to target the needs of underrepresented groups. Professor Corbett is an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Diego, School of Leadership and Education Sciences, where he teaches graduate level courses on governance, leadership, and strategy. Lyn holds a Masters of Arts degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management from New York University and is pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Leadership Studies at the University of San Diego. He is a Certified Governance Trainer with BoardSource, a Leadership Challenge Certified Facilitator, an Everything DiSC Workplace Certified Facilitator and a member of the International Coaching Federation.
Sally Dadmun Bixby, Founder and Lead, Philanthropy Studio, LLC
For three decades Sally Dadmun Bixby has helped nonprofits overcome challenges, grow, and thrive. From all-volunteer startups to well-established, multi-million-dollar nonprofits, Sally has helped organizations create fundraising goals, meet and exceed them!
Like many in the fundraising profession, she accidentally became a fundraiser. After several development director positions with her last one lasting for seven years, Sally started Philanthropy Studio in 2012.
Sally was raised in San Diego and works with clients in Portland, Oregon and the San Diego area.
Laura Deitrick, PhD, Associate Director, The Nonprofit Institute, University of San Diego
Dr. Laura Deitrick serves as the Associate Director of The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego. She has been a nonprofit executive director, board member, management consultant, and researcher on major nonprofit trends. Her research has led to important reports on nonprofit ethics, nonprofits and public education, nonprofit human resource practices, executive transition, the economics of San Diego’s nonprofit sector, nonprofit public confidence, and regional grant making. In her role, Dr. Deitrick oversees graduate programs, leadership development initiatives, and the work of the Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research. Under her direction, the Caster Center’s work is focused on research, evaluation, and understanding the economic landscape of the nonprofit and philanthropic sector in relationship to the broader economy. Dr. Deitrick is the director of USD’s Nonprofit Leadership and Management master’s program where she teaches nonprofit research methods, program design, and evaluation. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of California San Diego. She is the co-author of Cases in Nonprofit Management: A Hands- On Approach to Problem Solving, recently released by Sage publications.
Zachary Green, PhD, Professor of Practice, University of San Diego & Director of Leadership Development, The Nonprofit Institute
Zachary Gabriel Green is a Professor of Practice in the Department of Leadership Studies at the University of San Diego. Dr. Green is trained as a clinical psychologist and specializes in systems analysis and strategy, organizational transformation, negotiations of identity based-conflicts, leadership development, and crisis intervention. He coaches, consults, and conducts workshops and training sessions for numerous organizations, educational institutions, public advocacy groups, and government agencies, including The World Bank, Brookings Institution, Microsoft, the National Children's Medical Center, and the National Laboratories at Los Alamos (NM).
Karen Henken, Professor of Practice, Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Kroc School, University of San Diego
Ms. Henken’s work focuses on fostering social impact and system change through social innovation and entrepreneurship. She teaches core courses in the Master of Arts in Social Innovation. She works with regional and global social enterprises to help them advance their success through sustainable business models and serves on several boards. Ms. Henken served as the founder and principal of Henken & Associates, helping businesses and nonprofits develop market opportunities, partnerships, growth strategies and sustainable revenue models to expand their impact. She spent 20 years in Silicon Valley as an executive in high technology management. She holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Monte Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Logan Heights Community Development Corporation
Monte A. Jones has led Logan Heights Community Development Corporation since 2006. The organization’s mission is to strengthen residents and businesses in Greater Logan Heights neighborhoods through community empowerment, education, economic growth, and housing development. Monte takes a vision and makes it reality through sound strategy development. He is an inspirational leader who inspires action while at the same time is grounded in information that levers the business. Respected as a credible voice in decision making, finding collaborative partners to address the systemic change in underserved communities.
Before joining Logan Heights CDC, Monte served twenty-two years as a member of the U.S. Navy and was decorated numerous times during his career and proudly wears the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. In his capacity as a nonprofit CEO, he has assisted several local officials on issues pertaining to underserved residents, youth and small businesses, he is also a major contributor on bringing economic development and affordable housing programs and services to the San Diego Promise Zone.
He has held numerous leadership positions that includes serving on the City of San Diego Citizens Equal Opportunity Commission, Chollas Valley Planning Group and Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, San Diego Chapter. Monte has a Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He has completed several nonprofit and leaderships certificate programs such as University of San Diego Nonprofit Institute, the Fieldstone Foundation Executive Learning Group, the Harvard Divinity School Executive Management Program for Community Development, the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy Fundraising Academy and 2000 LEAD San Diego Program.
Daniela Kelly, Executive Director, Sherman Heights Community Center
Daniela Kelly has over 17 years of work experience in the non-profit sector, she currently serves as executive director of the Sherman Heights Community Center. At the Sherman Heights Community Center Daniela develops cultural programming, strategic partnerships and educational opportunities to promote community empowerment. Throughout her professional career, Daniela has focused on bringing resources to underserved communities while giving greater exposure to the rich cultural traditions and professional contributions of Latinos and Chicanos to the region.
Daniela earned two B.A. degrees from the University of California San Diego. She has an M.A. degree in International Affairs from the School of International Relations and Pacific studies, also at UC San Diego. She earned a second M.A. degree in Art History from San Diego State University. Daniela has worked at the Institute of the Americas, the San Diego Museum of Art, and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. Daniela was instrumental in developing the Athenaeum Art Center, a gallery, art school and event space located in Logan Heights. In her free time, Daniela enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, visiting museums and making chocolate from bean to bar.
Pat Libby, CEO and Consultant, Pat Libby Consulting
Pat Libby is a popular speaker, writer, and change management consultant working exclusively with nonprofits and philanthropies. Her firm transforms organizations by re-engineering governance and operating structures; transitioning and recruiting executives; and by facilitating data-driven strategic thinking and planning. Pat’s vision and work emanates from the kaleidoscope of her experiences as a long-time nonprofit CEO, academic, board member, and consultant to innumerable organizations. Pat founded and led USD’s Nonprofit Institute from 2001 until 2015. She is author of The Lobbying Strategy Handbook, (Sage 2012) and, with Laura Deitrick, Cases in Nonprofit Management (Sage 2017). You can connect with Pat on twitter @PJLibby, or read her blog at patlibby.com.
Nancy Maldonado, President & CEO, Chicano Federation of San Diego County
Nancy Maldonado is a community advocate with a strong commitment to improving the lives of marginalized communities. She has held leadership positions for the past fifteen years and has a proven track record of identifying growth opportunities within organizations, driving development efforts, contract and grant compliance, fiscal management, team development and leadership. She is a dynamic leader that has been recognized for her dedication to helping underserved communities. Nancy holds a Master's Degree in Exercise Science and a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology. Nancy has been recognized for her leadership and contributions to the San Diego community by multiple publications and the California State Assembly.
Michele Marano, Community Development Coordinator, Economic Development Department, City of San Diego
Michele brings nearly 20 years of experience in community and economic development to her role as a Community Development Coordinator for the City of San Diego. She joined the City in 2002 and, as her career progressed, she has been responsible for housing-related parking regulation amendments, the coordination of affordable housing activities for the former San Diego Redevelopment Agency and creating transaction guidelines for housing development proposals. She has facilitated community engagement campaigns to ignite conversations about community development, housing and homelessness and, in partnership with USD, she created the City of San Diego Nonprofit Academy. Recently, Ms. Marano successfully led the effort to update the City’s FY 2020 – FY 2024 Consolidated Plan which will inform policy decisions and guide the investment of roughly $178 million in anticipated U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant funds over the next five years. Michele began her career as the Executive Director of a locally-based nonprofit organization and served in this capacity for ten (10) years. A native San Diegan, Ms. Marano received a B.A. from UCSD in Political Science. She has completed graduate work at SDSU in the Community Economic Development program and at USD in the Paralegal Program, earning certificates from both. Michele was recently nominated for the ‘Women Elevate SD 2019’ award and she lives in Santee with her husband and their teenage son.
Valerie Nash, Owner, Nash & Associates
Valerie Nash has provided consulting services to San Diego nonprofits, government agencies, foundations and cross-sector collaborations for more than 20 years. Her mission is to support positive social change by helping her client’s design, implement, and evaluate quality programs that meet identified community needs. One of Ms. Nash’s core competencies is proposal writing and in the past five years alone she has secured more than $50 million in competitive funding.
Current clients include County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, San Francisco Adult Probation Department, San Diego Grantmakers, San Diego Youth Services, and San Diego Unified School District. She has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in grant writing, program evaluation, and community development. She completed postgraduate studies in education at Oxford University, England and has a Master’s degree in psychology from Boston College. Ms. Nash currently lives in British Columbia, Canada with her husband and two children, but comes back to San Diego as often as she can.
Bina M. Patel, CEO, Saathi Impact
Bina has worked for more than 20 years to advance equity, justice, and belonging. She has extensive experience building and leading collaborative efforts and delights in seeing big ideas take shape in communities. Bina has led strategic initiatives to help communities transform themselves through innovative, inclusive, and sustainable efforts in the areas of asset building, public health, civic engagement, and economic development. Her projects have included a revitalization of the community-based small business lending market post-2008 recession, an actionable cross-sector civic plan to advance gender equity, mobilizing residents to collaborate on developing solutions to persistent community challenges, and advancing racial equity through addressing structural racism. She served as Deputy Chief of Staff in City Hall in Chicago, where she was responsible for overseeing a portfolio of programs and policies amounting to over $1 billion in the area of human capital, human services, public health, and community development. Her career spans experience in direct service with community-based organizations, philanthropy, and public policy. She earned an M.S. in Social Protection Finance (Public Finance & Social Policy) from the University of Maastricht, the Netherlands, where her concentration was on Economic and Community Development. She also earned an M.A. from the University of Denver in International Studies with a concentration on Sustainable Development and Poverty Alleviation. Bina was selected to participate with the PLACES fellowship (2012) through The Funders’ Network, where she engaged with community members and colleagues from across the country to dive into racial, social, and economic justice issues. She regularly invests in continued learning in equity, strategy, and community empowerment. Bina is a keynote speaker, panelist, coach, and facilitator.
Marisa Aurora Quiroz, Vice President of Programs, International Community Foundation
As Vice President of Programs, Marisa oversees the International Community Foundation’s growing portfolio of grants, agency funds, and special projects in Mexico and Latin America. Prior to this role she served as ICF’s Senior Program Officer for Environmental conservation, leading the Foundation’s Environment portfolio, which emphasizes marine and terrestrial conservation in Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and coastal communities of the Gulf of California, as well as the Eastern Tropical Pacific region. She came to ICF in January 2015, after 8 years at The San Diego Foundation where she oversaw the Opening the Outdoors Initiative. As the Director of this program, she worked with donors, volunteers and nonprofits in the San Diego region to advance regional conservation efforts that ensure that all communities have access to clean air, water, and nature, and to promote collaborative action on climate change.
In 2010, Marisa was selected as one of San Diego News Network’s, “35 Under 35 Community Leaders.” Marisa is a graduate of the 2012 HOPE Leadership Institute, and co-founded The Latina Giving Circle – a regional group of women engaged in culturally relevant philanthropy. She is certified by the International Association of Public Participation, and currently serves on the national board of the Center for Diversity and the Environment, as well as the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission’s Citizens Forum. In April 2016 she completed 4 years of service on the California Structural Pest Control Board and previously served as a member of the Port of San Diego’s Tidelands Activation Committee for 2 years.
Marisa holds Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology and Sociology from Mills College.
Lorri Sulpizio, Director of the Conscious Leadership Academy, The Nonprofit Institute
Lorri Sulpizio holds a Ph.D. in leadership and a MA in Sports Psychology. She is the Director of the Conscious Leadership Academy at the University of San Diego and an executive leadership coach. Lorri facilitates conferences, workshops, and experiences for professional leadership development. She is the founder of the Center for Women's Leadership at USD, a certified Dare to Lead™ facilitator, based on the research of Brené Brown, and a member of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Adaptive Leadership Network’s curriculum design team. She teaches a variety of graduate courses on leadership, including Integral Leadership, Organizational Dynamics, and Gender and Leadership.
Mary Tovella Dowling, Partner, For Purpose Law Group
Ms. Dowling holds a B.S., cum laude, in Business Management from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, and a J.D., cum laude, from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Ms. Dowling represents a variety of public charities, private foundations, and other nonprofit organizations, including museums, religious and faith-based organizations, social welfare organizations, sports-based organizations, business leagues, educational institutions and social clubs. Her practice focuses on providing full service representation and outside general counsel services advising on a full range of nonprofit and tax exempt legal issues.
Loretta Turner, Leadership Coach
Loretta is a San Diego-based leadership coach and yoga teacher with an MA in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. She is an active member of the nonprofit community, both as a seasoned professional and a devout volunteer. She has always worked within human service organizations, emphasizing mindfulness, compassion, and diversity awareness in her leadership roles. Loretta strongly believes that “it only works if you do,” and she’ll always encourage you to put the work in!
Mitchelle Woodson, Executive Director & Managing Attorney, Think Dignity
Mitchelle Woodson is the Executive Director and Managing Attorney of Think Dignity, a homeless advocacy agency in San Diego, California, with a mission to inspire, empower, and organize the local community to advance basic dignity to those living on the streets. She joined the Think Dignity staff in 2017 as the staff attorney for the Homeless Youth Legal Advocacy Project. As the staff attorney, Mitchelle directly represented homeless and at-risk youth in their criminal defense matters. Mitchelle is a founding member of FREE-SD, which utilizes the approach of participatory defense, a community organizing model that aims to empower people facing charges and their families to transform the landscape of power in the courtroom; and the DeDe McClure Community Bail Fund, a grassroots organization committed to educating and empowering community members to fight against the devastating effects of the cash bail system and supporting those who have been victimized by it.
Emily Young, PhD, Executive Director, The Nonprofit Institute, University of San Diego
Dr. Emily Young is the executive director of The Nonprofit Institute. She has spent more than 20 years in various positions in philanthropy, as well as higher education. Prior to the University of San Diego, she served as vice president of community impact at The San Diego Foundation, where she was first hired to build its Environment Program in 2000. During her time at The San Diego Foundation, Dr. Young worked with numerous funders and community leaders to catalyze and facilitate regional and statewide collaboratives, developing and implementing grant-making programs around climate change, conservation and youth access to the outdoors, and clean air/water efforts in tribal and other disadvantaged communities. She also managed regional initiatives on arts and culture, civic engagement, education and youth development, and neighborhood revitalization, especially for underrepresented communities. Dr. Young received the 2011 Funder’s Network for Smart Growth Nicholas P. Bollman Award for leaders who inspire through values and action, while the Climate Initiative she led received both the 2012 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Private Partnerships and the City of San Diego’s Climate Protection Champion Award.
Prior to The San Diego Foundation, Emily was an assistant professor at the University of Arizona, where she taught courses on environment and society, geography, and Latin America. Dr. Young graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a double BA in Ibero-American Studies and Spanish, and a MS in geography. She received a PhD in geography from the University of Texas at Austin.
**Some Speaker Bios not provided**
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Supercharging your Finances in Uncertain Times
Rick Dahlseid, Nonprofit Division Lead, Pro Back Office, LLCConnecting the Dots: Are you CDBG Ready?
Michele Marano, Community Development Coordinator, Economic Development Department, City of San Diego
What does the acronym CDBG mean to you? The City of San Diego provides a variety of funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations serving low- and moderate-income communities, families and individuals. Millions of dollars are awarded to nonprofit organizations on an annual basis using a competitive application process. This session will provide attendees with an overview of the opportunities available to nonprofits and the knowledge they need to strengthen their applications.Assemblymember Dr. Weber Nonprofit Town Hall
Nonprofit Town Hall
Dr. Shirley Weber, Assemblymember; Jacob Richards, Senior Vice President, California Bank and Trust; Todd Lane, President/CEO, California Coast Credit Union; Danny Fitzgerald, Associate Regional Director, San Diego SBDC; Robert Villarreal, Executive Vice President, CDC Small Business Finance; Mark Stuart, President/CEO, The San Diego Foundation
Our goal is to provide information to nonprofit business owners who have challenges accessing resources, including public and private funding, due to COVID-19 Pandemic.FORTIFY Webinar Series: Co-Hosted with the Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego
Coaching Basics: How to Support and Motivate Others During COVID-19
Linda Braun-Leibowitz, Executive and Leadership Coach
This presentation introduces the core elements of coaching, and how this skill can be used in the workplace to support others during the unique challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Exercising Good Governance in Uncertain Times
Lyn Corbett, Director of Governance and Community Programs, The Nonprofit Institute
The COVID-19 crisis is having a significant programmatic and financial impact on the San Diego nonprofit sector. The uncertainty is complex and relentless, creating challenges that seem insurmountable. This webinar will focus on how nonprofit leaders, executives, and board members can use good governance to set their nonprofit on a path towards innovation and growth.Financial Scenario Planning in a COVID-19 World: A 5-Step Process
Bob Beatty, Beatty & Company
The current crisis presents nonprofits an opportunity to stop surviving and to start succeeding (or succeeding to a much greater extent than pre-COVID-19). Financial scenario planning is most effective when based on a return to core mission and organizational values, a clear understanding of priorities, and a metrics-based approach to budgeting and decision-making. This webinar will outline a simple -though far from easy- process to enable an organization to create the future instead of reacting to it.Mindfulness and Self Care – How to Manage Stress and Avoid Burnout
Dr. Danell Scarborough, Convening for Change
As our community transitions from an acute emergency response phase and begins to develop strategies to resume our routines, we have the opportunity to make healthy choices for a "new normal". This session focuses on the personal and leadership practices of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and self-compassion. Let us be intentional about taking care of ourselves and others as we go forward.Nonprofit Legal Issues in the Age of COVID-19
Arlene Yang, Partner at Brown Law Group; and Juan Zuniga, Partner at Rimon Law
Watch a facilitated discussion on Nonprofit Legal Issues in the Age of COVID-19, provided by San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, Inc. Attorneys Arlene Yang and Juan Zuniga provide an overview of the key legal and practical issues facing nonprofit organizations, focusing on employment law, commercial leasing, and restructuring options.
Trevor Blair, Blair Search Partners, LLC

Begin quote The Nonprofit Academy has been instrumental in building the capacity of San Diego’s nonprofit community. There are now over 11,000 nonprofits in the region that are implementing programs and projects that impact our communities. This partnership between the City and the University of San Diego has enabled these organizations to learn how to build their capacity, deepen their network and provide greater impact to the economy. – Christina Bibler, Director of Economic Development, City of San Diego