Preparing the Next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders

By Mike Porter

It was clear as they joked with each other that the 19 graduates of the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program (ENLP) had bonded over the course of the eight months they’d shared.

And that’s one of the goals of the VCU-supported program, which was created to help the next generation of nonprofit leaders learn about strategic leadership, organizational change, collaboration and coaching others.

The 2012-2013 class, the sixth to complete the program, was honored at a closing luncheon and celebration in June at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. The number of alumni has grown to 115, and they’re making an impact at nonprofit organizations throughout Central Virginia and as far away as Pittsburgh and Charlotte.

“ENLP alums lead in their respective nonprofit organizations,” said Susan Wilkes, Ph.D., who founded the program in 2007 at the request of the VCU Division of Community Engagement and The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia and who serves as lead faculty member. “And they offer their expertise to other nonprofits. We’re creating a growing circle of nonprofit leaders.”

John “Jack” R. Thompson, vice president of construction and land acquisition for the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, served as class speaker.

“This program was so enlightening for me,” Thompson said. “You really realize how people see you, and self-awareness is probably the number one building block for success. The program is not only helping me be a better leader, but also a better coach, a better teammate, husband and father.”    

In addition to Thompson, this year’s class included:

• Thomas Bannard of Caritas/The Healing Place
  
  
• Jennifer Curtis of World Pediatric Project
  
  
• Eric Drumheller of Richmond Residential Services
  
  
• Rebecca Eisenman of Southside Community Partners
  
  
• Rebekah Holbrook of Virginia Mentoring Partnership
  
  
• Becky Lehman of Sportable
  
  
• Leslie Lytle of OmMama Resource Center
  
  
• Sean Monroe of Virginia Supportive Housing
  
  
• Jeannine Panzera of Henrico CASA
  
  
• Nicole Pries of ChildSavers
  
  
• Julie Ross of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity
  
  
• Leisha Santilli of Special Olympics Virginia
  
  
• Brenda Sasser of Heart Havens
  
  
• Susan Sekerke of The Daily Planet
  
  
• Tabitha Spurlock of Spark of Life
  
  
• Emily Walker of Virginia Society of CPAs
  
  
• James Williams of Mental Health America of Virginia
  
  
• Julie Wingfield of Riverside School

Jon Lugbill, executive director of Richmond Sportsbackers, served as keynote speaker and challenged the class to bring people together.

“Become dot connectors,” said Lugbill. “Putting people together ultimately pays off in a big way.”


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