New CEOs in philanthropy are not only navigating the expected leadership challenges that come with every CEO role, but also becoming familiar with their communities, organizations, staff, board members and, in some cases, the philanthropic sector. This cohort is designed for leaders new to their roles to come together with their peers to share, learn and reflect together on the challenges and opportunities of leading during these times when advancing equity, shifting power and building mutually accountable relationships is paramount to advancing your mission.  

Over the course of our six sessions together, we will support you to do the following:

• Personally: Clarify your personal vision, "why" for this work and identify your unique leadership strengths and agency to navigate uncertainty.
• Interpersonal: Explore tools to navigate conflict and decision-making in ways that deepen relationships.
• Organizational: Build relationships with peers - not only to feel supported and work through current organizational issues you are grappling with but also to feel a sense of solidarity/community with peers in the sector.
• Systemic: Delve into your organization’s role and contribution to systems change, how your organization is living its vision and values internally and in relationship with others externally - in collaboratives, networks and coalitions.
• Co-create together with you a safe, brave space - to as new leaders - build your confidence, ease, support and connection. Some of these cohorts have met for years following the peer group, providing an ongoing network to take with you.

Who Should Attend?

This cohort is designed for CEOs of grantmaking institutions who have been in their role for less than 24 months.  

Sessions

This cohort will employ a hybrid model, with a total of six sessions. There will be two, full-day sessions at the opening and close of the cohort program, and four, 90-minute, virtual sessions in between the two in-person sessions. Aligned with the objectives listed above, we will customize the focus and content of the cohort’s sessions to the specific challenges and work of participants.

The cohort will launch in Spring 2023. After the cohort participants are accepted into the program, the specific meeting location, times and dates for the duration of the cohort will be determined based on the group's shared availability.

Registration Fees and How to Register

• Philanthropy Northwest Members: $2,400
• Non-Members: $4,000

To register, click the "Register Now" button above and apply to be part of the cohort. Participants will be invoiced upon acceptance. Registration fees do not include travel costs to in-person sessions. A limited number of scholarships may be available for certain types of foundations. Please reach out to Nancy Sanabria for more information.  

Facilitators

Abigail Sarmac, Senior Advisor, The Giving Practice

Abby has worked over twenty years in philanthropy, early-stage nonprofit and for-profit social ventures, environmental conservation and sustainable community development in developing countries. Prior to joining The Giving Practice, Abby helped develop grantmaking strategies and review grant and early-stage impact investment opportunities to catalyze social innovation, entrepreneurship and the launch and growth of triple-bottom-line companies around the world and across the Pacific Northwest with The Lemelson Foundation and as a philanthropic advisor. In the first decade of her career with the United Nations and other international environmental organizations, Abby focused on stakeholder engagement to influence environmental policy.

Abby earned her master's degree in environmental science from Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. She also holds a bachelor's degree in international politics from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

 

Jeanine Becker, Senior Advisor, The Giving Practice

At a moment when the great challenges of our time cannot be solved by one leader, technology or perspective, Jeanine is passionate about collaborative and participatory approaches to impact. In this context, she has spent almost two decades serving as a coach, facilitator, educator and organizational development consultant partnering with purpose-led leaders to sustainably scale their impact through generative relationships, thriving organizational cultures and participatory strategies. 
 

In her prior work, Jeanine helped develop grantmaking strategies and review grant and early-stage impact investment opportunities at the Motorola Foundation and at the Full Circle Fund. She also taught Negotiation and Collaboration for over a decade at Stanford and has led teams to negotiate and close thousands of transactions on four continents for organizations ranging from rapidly scaling startups to Fortune 500 Companies. More recently, Jeanine has facilitated workshops and cohort peer programs for leaders with a focus on building connection, leadership development and deepening in REDI practice. Jeanine holds a bachelor's degree in sociology, a certificate in peace and justice studies from Tufts University and a J.D, from Stanford Law School.

Please contact Nancy Sanabria with any questions.