How do you define leadership?
For Tristin Brown, advocacy manager at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, “leadership is the consistent practice of creating conditions where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to do meaningful work together.”
But where do nonprofit professionals learn to create these conditions that fuel such mission-driven work?
For far too many, research shows that the majority of new managers receive no managerial training, many times being promoted because they were strong individual contributors. That means emerging leaders are left to figure it out on their own through trial and error, which can lead to declines in employee satisfaction, higher rates of stress and anxiety, and employees choosing to leave the organization.
Thankfully, for leaders like Tristin, there is a better way.
Creating the Conditions to Help New Nonprofit Managers Lead With Excellence
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.
Tristin is one of 25 nonprofit professionals across Tampa Bay selected to be part of the spring 2026 Certificate in Leadership following a rigorous nomination process.
Meet the Certificate in Leadership Spring Class of 2026
Meet the 25 nonprofit leaders who will be strengthening their skills and our communities this spring in the Certificate in Leadership program:
- Abbie Walters, Senior Contract Manager and Program Planner, Senior Connection Center
- Aida Sanchez Una, Human Services Supervisor, Healthy Start, Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County
- Alexandra Cabrera, Assistant Principal, Autism Inspired Academy
- Angela Moore, Chief Program Officer, The Skills Center
- Caitlin Olson, Corporate Philanthropy Manager, SPCA Tampa Bay
- Callin Harper, Director of Human Resources, Children’s Network of Hillsborough
- Catrina Goodman, Office Manager, Dr. Traci’s House
- Chris Muhleisen, Manager of Clinical Information Systems, Operation PAR
- Cory Hutchinson, Accounting Manager, Hillsborough Education Foundation
- Cynthia Blackshear, Director, The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation
- Denise Diaz, Long Term Care Services Manager, Senior Connection Center
- Georgina Romero, Wimauma Opportunity Center Manager, Enterprising Latinas Inc.
- Jaraux Washington, Executive Director, Elevate Tampa Bay
- Jazmine Clarke, Product Manager, AVID
- Jean Crotty, Manager of Enrollment and Specialty Programs, Ronald McDonald House Tampa Bay
- Jemier Jenkins, Interim Executive Director, Mt. Zion Human Services
- Kassidy Crider, Program Director, Community Stepping Stones
- Michele Brown, Senior Manager of Education, United Way Suncoast
- Nicole Ortiz, Respite Program Manager, Children’s Home Network
- Nicole Virgo, Program Director, Operation PAR, MAPS Clearwater
- Scott Tolliver, Executive Director, Crossroads For Florida Kids, Inc.
- Skylar Alexander, Government & Community Relations Manager, Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside
- Sunny Y. Royal-Boyd, Emerging CEO, Hope’s Square and Board Member, Speak To Me, LLC
- Tristin Brown, Advocacy Manager, Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg
- Viviana Dieppa, Team Lead, Hispanic Services Council
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.
