Fellowship for Nonprofit Leaders

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“SVP has been an absolutely amazing experience. It’s grown my confidence in so many different ways.” - 2022 Fellowship participant

SVPSA's Class 4 Fellows:

Staci Almager, CEO, Hill Country Family Services - HCFS operates at the intersection of urgent need and lasting change. We foster mental and physicalwellness, stability and independence for individuals and families who are in crisis in Kendall County.

Norma Batts, Director of Corporate Operations, Merced Housing Texas. Merced Housing Texas creates and strengthens healthy communities by providing quality, affordablehousing with supportive services for low-income individuals, families, and older adults. The goal of Merced Housing Texas is to provide not only safe and affordable shelter, but also build communities where opportunities for education, employment, financial literacy and health are enhanced and encouraged.

Ben Brooks Jr., CEO, Pay It Forward SA. To provide the critical link between treatment and long-term recovery through supportive sober living.

Marisa Calder, Director of Operations, Students of Service (SOS). Students of Service (SOS) develops young leaders who have a global perspective to solve local problems. Our programs combine meaningful local community service with informed international experiences.

Kaitlyn Cortez, Board Chair, A Recovery Place. A Recovery Place is committed to connecting the recovery community of South Texas with resources, services, and to each other.

Stacey Dicke, Executive Director, New Braunfels Youth Collaborative. To create an inclusive, youth driven space to help teens thrive by providing out of school time activities for 6-12 graders.

Doren Fein, Executive Director, Las Casas Foundation. Las Casas Foundation invests in the past, present, and future of the performing arts by preserving historic theatres, cultivating young theatre artists, and supporting theatre programs within the community.

Alexandria Garcia, Program Director, Youth Center of Texas, Inc. To serve young adult survivors of child sex trafficking who have aged out of child-serving systems by providing the holistic support needed to restore each survivor’s growth into a life that is peaceful, productive, and free from victimization.

Flor E. Gutierrez, Superintendent, Celebrate Dyslexia Schools. Celebrate Dyslexia Schools (CDS) is on a mission to educate and support children and their families by expanding use of evidence-based dyslexia interventions into historically marginalized communities and by creating an enriching, emotionally safe, culturally appropriate learning environment for all students, particularly those with dyslexia.

Gloria J. Kelly, Owner, Archangels of Merci Inc. To provide vital medical supplies to community residents who have no money or insurance, local, statewide and globally.

Sharon Krietzburg, Executive Director, Project Angel Fares. Our mission is to help children with a special health care need or disability and their families have the opportunity to visit San Antonio and experience the ultra-accessible Morgan's Wonderland, all expenses paid.

Kellen Kubasak, Chief Operating Officer, First Tee — Greater San Antonio. Empowering youth to build character and life skills through the game of golf.

James Martinez, Executive Director, Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation. To rescue, rehabilitate, and release native wildlife and to provide sanctuary, individualized care, and a voice for other animals in need.

Paul Montalvo, President & CEO, Classical Music Institute. Cultivating classical music education and performance as a gateway to the arts.

Jaci Randel, Executive Director, Bexar Branches Alliance. Bexar Branches Alliance's Mission is to help build a robust community forest that contributes to an equitable and ecologically resilient future for South Central Texas communities.

Kerri Rhodes, Chief Program Officer, Restore Education. Our mission is to restore individuals’ potential for success on their path to college and career through the transformative power of education.

Valerie Salas, Director of Homeless Services, Christian Assistance Ministry. To share the love of Christ by providing immediate assistance and encouragement to people in crisis.

Chelsea Steele, VP of Development, The Children's Shelter. Restoring innocence and strengthening families.

Skill Building

SVPSA's Fellowship was developed to strengthen nonprofit executive level leaders to round out their skills. The 7 month program, that is held September - March of each year includes 6 full day sessions (we do not meet in December) with dozens of experts from all areas to share their experience and tools for success. Topics include:

  1. Leadership, developing your mission and vision
  2. Board development, roles and responsibilities
  3. Human Resources, managing teams
  4. Financial strategy, tools and policies
  5. Nonprofit technology and resources
  6. Marketing, PR and community relations
  7. Fundraising

 

FellowshipLeaders
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SVPSA measures the results of our Fellowship experience. Click here to read the report from Class 3.

Results

  • More innovation, collaboration and partnering
  • Inspired leaders, who have renewed energy for their mission
  • New practical skills, equipped to share their expertise, utilizing today’s most effective business tools, so they can do more.

"I feel like I have a whole new support system that I never knew existed. It really has been wonderful and keeps me sane in a world that I'm struggling in right now."

 

Meet the Alumni and Presenters

Fellowship Goals

SVPSA Fellows have shown measured improvement in skills, knowledge and confidence. After each session, we evaluate the speakers and the content and our graduates reveal they have gained in their technical expertise and knowledge in 10 areas, including governance best practices, marketing strategy, engagement with donors, understanding communications styles, managing finances, creating evaluation systems, fundraising, strategic planning, understanding HR and better understand technology issues.