LEAD Institute

LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) Institute is a year-long leadership development program for nonprofit managers aspiring to greater leadership. LEAD serves the diverse communities of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties. Since it began in 2009, more than 180 leaders representing 120 nonprofits have completed the program.

LEAD Institute

2023 Institute

Invest in yourself and your community: LEAD is growing the next generation of nonprofit leadership! 

Applications to attend LEAD 2023 are now closed. Complete this interest form for updates about future LEAD cohorts!

Values & Commitments

LEAD Institute is committed to building an inclusive and equitable teaching community where LEADers identify core values, share resources, and cultivate a supportive network for leadership growth and mission impact. 

LEADers commit to ten intensive, day-long monthly seminars for leadership growth and reflection at the beautiful Harden Foundation in Salinas, and experience six months of individualized, one-on-one coaching with a professional coach. 

Why LEAD?

LEADers graduate from the program ready to take on greater leadership and thrive. LEAD can help you:

• Identify your core values and connect with a diverse and inspiring peer network. 
• Learn from experts in our community and explore topics related to power, collaboration, and justice. 
• Develop nonprofit management skills and better understand how organizations function. 
• Grow your mission impact and work for change. 

Prior to being part of LEAD, I often struggled with my confidence as a leader. Through the support of my coach as well as my LEAD cohort, not only have I learned to collaborate with other nonprofits, but I have also learned to be more involved and confident in my job decision making as a leader. Ivan Meza, Avenues Program Coordinator, Community Connection

Why LEAD? –  for Your Organization

• Make an organizational commitment to invest in your great staff and empower their growth. 
• Meet new partners and build support networks. 
• Build capacity in key areas including supervision, collaboration, fund development, financial management, and more. 

LEAD has expanded our LEADer’s skill set and willingness to try new things which in turn has expanded her job scope further than we had initially imagined. – Rob Rapp, former Development Director, Community Human Services and LEAD Alum

Partners

The Community Foundation Santa Cruz County and the Community Foundation for San Benito County partner with the Community Foundation for Monterey County to ensure strong participation from all three counties.

Apply to LEAD 2023 – Applications closed

2023 LEAD applications closed on October 1, 2022.

We recommend you discuss your goals and the commitment required to attend LEAD with your direct supervisor and/or affiliated community organizations. Nonprofits based in Santa Cruz, Monterey or San Benito Counties are eligible. LEAD Institute will accept one applicant per organization. 

If you are interested in updates on applying for future LEAD sessions, complete a brief Interest Form and we will stay in touch with you about future Institutes. Please also see this list of other Leadership Programs. 

I first decided to send an employee to LEAD because I noticed key leadership qualities: she’s smart, talented and has a strong work ethic. LEAD Institute is building on those qualities while developing new leadership skills that will benefit her and most importantly, the children and families served by Jacob’s Heart. A sound investment…now and in the future. – Lori Butterworth, then-ED of Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services

Application and Selection Criteria

Successful candidates demonstrate:

• Integrity, critical thinking, and a commitment to life-long learning 
• Interest in taking on greater leadership in the next 18 months 
• Support from their organization or community group 
• Experience supervising others or the desire to gain management skills 
• Investment in community 

Tuition and Partial Scholarships

We are committed to working with all accepted applicants and their organizations to coordinate tuition funding.

The Community Foundation for Monterey County understands the unique financial circumstances of each LEAD participant and nonprofit organization. We encourage all who could benefit from LEAD Institute to apply. Tuition is sliding-scale and need-based scholarships are available. LEAD Institute will accept one applicant per organization. 

LEAD Participants and Alumni

LEAD Institute is an opportunity to engage with a dynamic and inspiring network of alumni in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties. 

 Activities help alumni to stay connected, continue learning, and renew energy for leadership growth. 

 Recent alumni activities include: reunions by class, professional development and peer coaching. 

The new tools and support network of other leaders helps me feel consistently hopeful even through challenging times. – Mireya Gomez-Contreras, Arts Council of Santa Cruz County

2023 LEAD Institute participants

Monterey County

• Elizabeth Jimenez, Rancho Cielo, Grants and Communications Manager
• Genevieve Lucas-Conwell, Coalition of Homeless Services Providers, Executive Director
• Gina Silva, Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast, Director of Recruitment
• Jacqueline Leon, Loaves, Fishes & Computers – LFC, Computer Literacy Instructor/Coordinator
• Jaimee De Pompeo, The Parenting Connection of Monterey County, Program Director
• Jesse Juarez, Youth Arts Collective, Executive Director
• Jorge Torres, Community Partnership for Youth, Art/Media/Site Director
• Lisa Rico, Natividad Foundation, Director of Development
• Manuel Hernandez, Interim Inc., Assistant Program Director
• Maria Magaña, Central Coast Center for Independent Living CCCIL, Community Organizer
• Maria Perez-Zamora, CASA of Monterey County, Program Director
• Melissa Mahoney, Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust, Executive Director
• Mike Chamberlain, Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Executive Director
• Priscilla Ortega, Community Homeless Solutions, DV Shelter Manager
• Sheri Massolo, Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation, Development Services Manager
• Stacie Andrews, The Village Project, Inc., Executive Director
• Taylor Honrath, Elkhorn Slough Foundation, Deputy Director
• Tessa Wise, Veterans Transition Center of California

San Benito and Santa Cruz County

• Anthony Lopez, Youth Alliance, Associate Director of Expanded Learning
  
• Brianna Flores, Pajaro Valley Arts, Office Manager

Monterey County Nonprofits & Alumni

San Benito County Nonprofits & Alumni

Santa Cruz County Nonprofits & Alumni