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Leadership Development & Mentoring Program

Join us in welcoming our 2024 cohort!

We are proud to recognize the emerging and experienced leaders who have joined our 2024 Leadership Development & Mentoring Program! This year marks the tenth cohort since the Program's launch in 2012. 

Emerging Leaders
  • Meredith Bradford, Scholarships Officer, Kalamazoo Community Foundation
  • Gwen Gell, Program Manager, Rocket Community Fund
  • Veronica Gonzales, Philanthropic Project Manager, Rocket Community Fund
  • Jeremy Heinlein, Director of Annual Giving, Northwestern Michigan College
  • Lauren Plawecki, Community & Social Engagement Partner, Masco Corporation
  • Brianna Rimmer, Finance & Accounting Analyst, Community Foundation of Greater Flint
  • Liliana E. Salas, Community Investment Officer, Kalamazoo Community Foundation
  • Megan Schreier, Program Officer, Delta Dental Foundation
  • Andrea Tucker, Executive Director, Michigan Credit Union Foundation
  • LaToya Turner, Community Investment Associate, Capital Region Community Foundation
  • Cassidy Uchman, Public Policy Fellow, CMF
  • Chakara Wheeler, Program Officer, YAC Advisor, Community Foundation of Greater Flint
Mentors
  • Lindsey Barrett, Partnership Manager, The Skillman Foundation
  • Carolyn Cassin, President & CEO, Michigan Women Forward
  • Tryphena Clarke, Community Engagement Officer, Ruth Mott Foundation
  • Matt Cook, Vice President of Community Relations, Lake Michigan Credit Union
  • Bonnie Gettys, President and CEO, Barry Community Foundation
  • Maria Gonzalez, Director of Affiliates and Supporting Organizations, Fremont Area Community Foundation
  • Jackie Hanton, Vice President, Community Foundation of St. Clair County
  • DJ Jones, Executive Director, Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation
  • Ruth Kaleniecki, Executive Director, Metro Health Foundation
  • Sonia Plata, Foundation Director, Flagstar Bank
  • Nellie Tsai, Social Innovation Officer, Michigan Nonprofit Association
  • Maria Woodruff-Wright, Vice President, Operations & CFO, The Skillman Foundation

About the Program

The CMF Leadership Development and Mentoring Program is an opportunity for experienced leaders and those who are new to the field to develop relationships and engage in a community of peer learning. 

This six-month program features one-to-one customized coaching, leadership style and leadership assessments and a curriculum that centers principles of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and explores topics such as emotional intelligence, personal values and career development. The core of the program is centered in the mentoring relationship between experienced and emerging leaders.

Mentors, in addition to participating in the full cohort workshops, have the opportunity to positively impact the field of philanthropy, share their passion for the work and deepen their mentorship skills while growing their statewide network. 

CMF Leadership Development and Mentoring Program participants: 

  • CONNECT: Through monthly in-person or virtual engagements, foster long-lasting relationships and exchange knowledge and insights with peers. 

  • DEVELOP: Through webinars and personalized sessions with an executive coach, develop their leadership style.

  • LEARN: Through in-person meetings, webinars and 1:1 interaction, learn from those who have deep expertise in philanthropy. 

  • GROW: Through intentional engagement, expand their leadership skills and broaden their professional network. 


“Especially when you’re new to philanthropy, it's so important to find a mentor that can help shepherd you through the process. CMF’s Leadership Development & Mentoring Program was a wonderful opportunity to get close to someone whom I had previously worked with on some projects, but now that she was serving in the role of mentor, that role was different, and she was able to help me to really find my voice.” 

-Myra Tetteh (Former Emerging Leader)

“The program is an incredible opportunity for emerging leaders and leaders, in general, to go through, especially if they're new to the field– and even more important as we think about racial equity, diversity, equity and inclusion.”

– Sonia Plata (Former Mentor)


 

Application Information

Applications for our 2024 Cohort are now closed. We will reach out to applicants soon!

We ask that cohort members commit to the following:

  • Attendance at monthly sessions, hosted either in person or virtually.
  • Meetings with their assigned mentor and coach (about once per month).
  • Completion of the leadership assessment tools.
  • Completion of the preparation and reflection work associated with each session.

QUALIFICATIONS 

Emerging Leader Participants:

  • Current member of CMF.
  • Minimum 2 years and maximum 7 years working in philanthropy. Years of experience should be calculated based on years in philanthropy specifically, not total years of work experience. For example, someone with 3 years at a foundation and 10 years in a different sector is eligible to participate.
  • Interest in advancing leadership skills.
  • Committed to the time requirements of the program which include monthly meetings, 1:1 meetings with a coach and 1:1 meetings with a mentor (approx. 6-10 hours per month).
  • Ability to participate from January – June of the program year (with orientation in November or December the year prior).
  • Please note: This year there will be a cost for emerging leaders to participate in the 2024 cohort. We anticipate the cost to be no more than $500. Please indicate what you believe you will be able to pay based on your personal development budget within our application. Note that this will not impact who is accepted into the program.

Mentor Participants:

  • Current member of CMF.
  • Minimum 7 years in philanthropy.
  • Passion for helping to support the growth of others.
  • Serve in a leadership capacity managing projects and/or people.
  • Committed to the time requirements of the program, which includes monthly cohort meetings and 1:1 meetings with an emerging leader partner (approx. 4-8 hours per month).
  • Ability to participate from January – June of the program year (with orientation in November or December the year prior).

Are you interested in being a mentor?

Please complete this interest form!

Completing this form does not guarantee that you will be paired with an emerging leader in the current cohort year, as we strive to match emerging leaders with mentors based on a variety of factors (i.e., role, foundation type). However, we welcome anyone who is interested in participating in this, or a future cohort, to apply at any time. Mentor matches will be made in October and potential mentors will be contacted throughout October and November. 

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Ruud, Senior Program Specialist, Learning Services at jruud@michiganfoundations.org.  

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