For Immediate Release
Philadelphia, PA, January 20, 2010 –By 2016, the nonprofit sector will need to attract and develop 640,000 new senior managers to replace departing leaders, according to national nonprofit strategy group Bridgespan. Echoing this trend locally, the Nonprofit Center at La Salle University’s School of Business found that 71 percent of current Philadelphia-area nonprofit leaders plan to exit their jobs in the coming year.
The Nonprofit Center offers programs to help prepare tomorrow’s nonprofit leaders, with both specialized learning circles and career coaching.
In collaboration with Philadelphia’s Valentine Foundation, which funds programs that empower women and girls, The Nonprofit Center is continuing an emerging leaders program that focuses on leadership training for female aspiring nonprofit leaders. It includes a peer learning circle for women in management positions in local nonprofits serving women and girls, who will meet monthly for eight months under the guidance of a professional facilitator, to address common issues, concerns and obstacles. Another group of women will be invited to participate in a workshop given by a professional career coach who will then meet with each participant privately to create personal career development plans.
A second learning circle, with partial subsidies from the William Penn Foundation, will consist of both men and women in nonprofits of interest to the foundation. As with the Valentine Foundation group, the goal is create a learning community for potential nonprofit executive directors, supporting them as they explore and develop their leadership abilities.
“Unlike the business world, the nonprofit sector has never built its bench strength, lacking the resources to nurture and develop future leaders to replace the current group of baby-boomers who are retiring or otherwise leaving their current positions,” said Laura Otten, Ph.D., director of The Nonprofit Center.
“We are confident that current nonprofit leaders will encourage their staff to recognize and enhance their leadership skills by supporting their participation in these activities,” Otten said.
For information about programs for emerging nonprofit leaders, contact The Nonprofit Center at 215-951-1701 or email nonprofitcenter@lasalle.edu
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The Nonprofit Center at La Salle University’s School of Business helps strengthen nonprofit organizations throughout the Delaware Valley so they can better serve their constituents. Through educational programs, board development, training and consulting services and an information and referral network, the Center’s team of experts works with thousands of organizations to enhance their ability to govern, manage and perform more effectively in a competitive environment. Founded in 1981, The Nonprofit Center is a program of the La Salle University School of Business in Philadelphia. Visit their website at www.lasallenonprofitcenter.org/
Read more about these two innovative programs for Emerging Nonprofit Leaders
