DeAndra Bolden has been blessed with great leaders and mentors in her life. As DeAndra takes on growing responsibilities as the associate director of development and community engagement at Metropolitan Ministries, she recognizes that her previous experience alone won’t ensure she becomes the strong leader she wants to be to advance her organization’s culture and impact.
“As my responsibilities expand, I am relying less on my experience of doing the work and more on being able to train and coach others in my organization,” DeAndra says. “I want to be a great leader who makes a difference in someone’s life, which is why I’m motivated to pursue my Certificate in Leadership.”Â
For far too many nonprofit professionals stepping into management and supervisory roles, research shows many receive no managerial training. That means strong individual contributors are expected to become great managers overnight, which can lead to declines in employee satisfaction, higher rates of stress and anxiety, and employees leaving the organization.
Thankfully, for leaders like DeAndra, the Certificate in Leadership exists to close this gap for Tampa Bay’s nonprofit sector.
Preparing the Next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders to Succeed in a Changing Sector
The Nonprofit Leadership Center’s Certificate in Leadership program addresses the significant gap in management transition for nonprofits. This unique, 10-week learning experience brings together nonprofit leaders who are new to managing people or programs (three years of experience or less) to develop the qualities and skills necessary to lead with authenticity and impact.
DeAndra is one of 19 nonprofit professionals across Tampa Bay selected for the fall 2026 Certificate in Leadership after a rigorous nomination process.
Meet the Certificate in Leadership Fall Class of 2026
Meet the 19 nonprofit professionals who will be strengthening their skills and our communities this fall in the Certificate in Leadership program:
- Alanna Karaosmani, Chief Operating Officer, EmpowHERment
- Alma Ovalle, Director of Education, United Way Suncoast
- Angela Bridges, Administrative Project Manager, Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation
- Ashley Fowler, Clinical Manager, St. Pete Free Clinic
- Ashley Hill, Director of LiFT University, LiFT, inc.
- Danielle Johnson, Youth Programs Manager, Lighthouse of Pinellas
- DeAndra Bolden, Associate Director of Development and Community Engagement, Metropolitan Ministries
- Imani Smith, Manager of HMIS & System Administration, Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas (HLA)
- Jaila Brown, Outreach Prevention Manager, Metropolitan Ministries
- Julie Hughes, Education Program Director, Frameworks of Tampa Bay
- Kaitlynn Hunt, Assistant Director of Finance, Feeding Tampa Bay
- Kimberly Slattery-Gaston, Director of Community Programs, Frameworks of Tampa Bay
- Matthew Calabresky, Senior Manager of Financial Security, United Way Suncoast
- Noah Gross, Director of Legal Affairs and Compliance, Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside
- Pietra Diwan, Executive Director, Terra Brasilis Institute
- Shuntae Coleman, Food Access Manager, St. Pete Free Clinic
- Susie Saxe, Executive Director, Richey Suncoast Theatre
- Tatyana Arnold, Manager of Community Partnerships, Metropolitan Ministries
- Thais Louzada, Program Coordinator, The Centre For Women
Skilled & Confident Leaders, Proven Impact
Certificate in Leadership graduates report measurable increases in skills that are critical for long-term success and impact:
- After the program, 100% of participants agree they can respond authentically to the changes and challenges facing today’s nonprofit leaders, up from 59% before the program began.
- Participants’ ability to understand themselves and manage their organizational responsibilities increased from 88% to 100% from the beginning to the end of the program.
- 100% of participants agree they understood their leadership style and could develop a plan to enhance their skills after the program, up from 77% before the program began.
Learn more about the Certificate in Leadership and how you can join an upcoming cohort of the program.
