16 Rising Nonprofit Leaders in Hillsborough County Chosen for Prestigious Leadership Program

Collage of diverse group of 16 women on colorful orange, blue and yellow backgrounds that appear on a bulletin board as polaroid photos
Nonprofit Leadership Center

Leading a team can be stressful, even for the most seasoned managers. Yet many talented individual contributors are promoted to management roles without the proper training, mentoring and support. When that happens, organizations, outcomes and wellbeing are significantly impacted.

According to a 2023 nationwide survey by Harris Research and Oji, inexperienced and unprepared first-time managers can be costly for organizations. For employees who had a negative experience with a poor manager:
 
  • 41% said they were stressed or anxious about coming to work.
  • 34% wanted to leave the organization.
  • 31% lost confidence in their company overall.

The Nonprofit Leadership Center’s Certificate in Leadership program exists to reverse this troubling trend and fill a 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 in an inclusive, collaborative environment to develop the qualities and skills necessary to lead with authenticity and impact.

Today, we’re thrilled to introduce the first of two Certificate in Leadership Classes of 2024. Thanks to generous funding from the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, 16 nonprofit professionals who work at Hillsborough County-based organizations and volunteer board members at small nonprofits are part of our latest cohort. Participants were nominated to apply by community and organization leaders, and their applications were reviewed as part of a rigorous selection process.
"I manage several staff members but have not received formal leadership training before. I want to learn how to create an environment that makes people look forward to coming to work, where they feel heard and appreciated, and where I give them space to fly.”
Shari Akram, a woman wearing a blue head covering and glasses and a floral patterned top
Shari Akram
Development Director, Nathan B. Stubblefield (WMNF)

Meet the Spring Certificate in Leadership Class of 2024

  • Shari Akram, Development Director, Nathan B. Stubblefield (WMNF)
  • ShaRhonda Axon, Foster Grandparent Coordinator, Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay, Inc.
  • Sabrinia Butts, Senior Director of Customer Engagement and Retention, The Skills Center
  • Shakira Crawley, Academic Manager, Pace Center for Girls
  • Jessica Heck, Operations Director, Friends of the Children Tampa Bay
  • Ingrid Holguin, Academic Achievers Program Coordinator, ReDefiners World Languages
  • Elizabeth Hopkins, Executive Director, Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association
  • Gabriella Lugo, Senior Companion Program Coordinator, Hillsborough County, Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay, Inc.
  • WeClaigé Moîse, Executive Director, Parents and Children Advance Together Literacy Ministries, Inc.
  • Melissa Neeley, CEO, Ryan Nece Foundation, Inc.
  • Willa Peterson, President, Sheltering the Unsheltered, Inc.
  • Regina Polite, President, Healthy 22nd Street Community Garden, Inc.
  • Sarai Rodriguez, Lead Teacher, Community Stepping Stones
  • Jada Spano, Director of Family Experience, High 5, Inc.                   
  • Meryl Stout, Executive Director & Urban Agriculture Coordinator, Coalition of Community Gardens
  • Nicole Wilson, Community Programs Manager, The SPARK Initiative
Collage of 16 diverse nonprofit leaders, all female, against vibrant orange, blue and yellow colored backgrounds
“In pursuing this certificate, I will not only walk away with tools to improve myself and my organization, but with new relationships with like-minded colleagues who are dedicated to making the Greater Tampa Bay Area a better place for us all to live.”
Melissa Neeley
CEO, Ryan Nece Foundation, Inc.

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 agreed they could 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 agreed 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 program here. For questions and more information about the Certificate in Leadership, contact us at info@nlctb.org or 813-287-8779.

Funding Generously Provided By:

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Earn Your Certificate Today!

The Certificate in Leadership is a 10-week program for nonprofit leaders who are new to managing people or programs. This life-changing learning experience helps participants grow as high-performing leaders who are adaptive, courageous and committed to results-driven change. Offered once per year, it includes peer-based learning groups, group coaching calls and one-on-one coaching.

Start your certificate today!

The Certificate in Leadership is a 10-week program for nonprofit leaders who are new to managing people or programs. This life-changing learning experience helps participants grow as high-performing leaders who are adaptive, courageous and committed to results-driven change. Offered once per year, it includes peer-based learning groups, group coaching calls and one-on-one coaching.

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