As part of its ongoing commitment to our local sector, the Community Foundation hosts a transformative, yearlong, cohort-based leadership development program for midcareer nonprofit professionals, The Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program (ENLP).  Now entering its 15th year, this engaging program gives Richmond-area professionals the opportunity to foster a deeper understanding of their leadership capacity, advance an understanding and practice of leading in the nonprofit sector, and strengthen their network of nonprofit colleagues.  Admission into the program’s next cohort is competitive and will begin this summer. 

ENLP Cohort 13 doing team building activities during the annual “kickoff session”
in October 2019.

Last year, the pandemic interfered with in-person programming for the latter half of the current cohort’s sessions (although they continued to meet virtually and held graduation) and paused the recruitment for the next cohort that was scheduled to begin in the fall.  “Being able to gather together with emerging leaders is always exciting, but never more so than after a year away. Our program leaders and faculty have worked hard to incorporate the lessons of the last year into the curriculum, and we're so looking forward to welcoming Cohort 14,” shared Scott Andrews-Weckerly, Community Engagement Manager for the Community Foundation.

Apply for ENLP here by August 15th at 5pm!  Please feel free to contact Scott Andrews-Weckerly at sandrews-weckerly@cfrichmond.org for questions or for additional information.

The 2017 ENLP Graduation ceremony and 10-year celebration.  All ENLP Alumni are invited to attend the current cohort’s graduation ceremony.

Support Beyond the Cohort

The Community Foundation also supports the vast network of over 200 ENLP alumni with continued learning and networking opportunities.  A committee, made up of several different cohort representatives, work with Foundation staff to create and deliver programming throughout the year.  This summer, Shared Interest Groups or “SIGs” will start for alumni who are interested in group discussion and problem-solving in areas like Marketing and Communications, Programs, Development and Operations and HR.  The committee is also hosting “Books and More” programs, where alumni are invited to discuss books, articles and podcasts and offering panel discussion on hot topics related to the sector.  On July 29 the alumni are hosting a panel discussion featuring fellow program graduates speaking on the “Mental Health and Wellness of Nonprofit Leaders and Staff”.  All are welcome to attend. 

ENLP Cohort 12 at graduation in Spring 2019.

“The ENLP Alumni Committee has done a phenomenal job planning and executing new and exciting virtual offerings. They intend to provide quality and relevant learning opportunities that address the ever-changing needs of the nonprofit community and beyond,” said Kenisha Fallen, Community Engagement Specialist at the Community Foundation, who works closely with the group.

Where Are They Now?

“Graduates leave ENLP confident and knowledgeable about themselves and what it takes to be a great leader. That, plus ENLP's extraordinary network of alums, is why you see so many of Richmond's vital nonprofits led by ENLP graduates,” boasted Scott.  The following are just a few examples of great things the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders have gone on to do within our sector and beyond over the past few years:

• Katina Williams is  a graduate of Cohort 11 and was the Director of Community Impact: Income at United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg.  In December 2020, she became the President and CEO of Family Lifeline.

• Sarah Young, who is the Director of Development at Peter Paul and in ENLP Cohort 13 was recently named the “Rising Star” by the Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives (VAFRE).

• The Allen & Allen Law Firm recognized Terry Ebright as a 2020 Hometown Hero.  Terry is a graduate of Cohort 12 and the Food Pantry Manager at GoochlandCARES. 
  

• In 2019, Matt Morgan, Director of Revitalization with project:HOMES and graduate of Cohort 11 received recognition as Style Weekly’s Top 40 Under 40.

• David Thomason, graduate of Cohort 9 and Vice President of Advancement for the Special Olympics of Virginia won the 2020 VAFRE Nina Abady Award.

• Kristen Lessig Schenerlein is a graduate from Cohort 4 and was the Founder and Executive Director of Sportable for 10 years.  After serving in several other nonprofit leadership roles, Kristin has transitioned her career to becoming a professional leadership and mental fitness coach.  She has also led ENLP Alumni workshops.
  

• Cohort 12’s Steven Vicoli began his ENLP journey as the Transition Coordinator at the Healing Place (he also won the James E. Ukrop Leadership Scholarship that year) and has now been promoted to the Program Director for the Healing Place.

• Since graduating from Cohort 13, Victor Mckenzie, Jr. has advanced his career to become the new Executive Director at SAARA of Virginia.  He also serves as the Chairman of the Board for CAPUP and was recently selected for LMR’s Leadership Quest class of 2022. 

• Last fall, Damon Jiggetts received the 2020 Humanitarian Award of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.  Damon is the Executive Director of Peter Paul, is a graduate of Cohort 2, and has served as an ENLP Executive-in-Residence.

• Elizabeth Thomas is a graduate from Cohort 10 and was then the Director of Development for the Richmond Animal League.  She is now the Executive Director for the organization.
  

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Apply for ENLP here by August 15th at 5pm!  Please feel free to contact Scott Andrews-Weckerly at sandrews-weckerly@cfrichmond.org for questions or for additional information.