WeThrive: Meet the Leaders from Cohort 5
Continuing with the success of WeThrive, we are introducing you to the leaders of our latest cohort. What started as a pilot program a year ago, has flourished into an integral part of our Community Cultivation pillar offerings. Co-led by Meme Styles and Madge Vásquez, the program focuses on power-building and peer support for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) nonprofit EDs and CEOs.
This project came to fruition after Mission Capital and other partners commissioned the 2020 Race to Lead (R2L) Central Texas research project, conducted by our national collaborator the Building Movement Project. The findings indicated that BIPOC nonprofit leaders face challenges in attaining senior leadership roles and in securing intentional mentorship and funding support.
While most nonprofit executive coaching cohorts are designed and normed on dominant culture strategies and structures and do not address needs specific to people of color, WeThrive focuses on BIPOC peer support, healing, and shared wisdom.
Meet three of the leaders from WeThrive cohort 5, as they share their experience and what they would say to their BIPOC peers.
Erica Villarreal Ekwurzel
Founder, CivicAIM
Founder of CivicAIM, Erica Villarreal Ekwurzel, MPAff, CFRE & CAP® is a philanthropy advisor working with individuals, families, and teams within organizations to strengthen their grantmaking, governance and impact. Erica brings over two decades of experience in philanthropy, program design and implementation, and community engagement. She also serves on the leadership board of Todos Juntos Learning Center, Austin Together, and National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers.
What has your experience been like with WeThrive?
WeThrive has beautifully created and scaled by each passing cohort, a safe and village-building space, that brings together BIPOC leaders across the Central Texas region. I have thoroughly enjoyed connecting with other executive leaders committed to positive social change and appreciated the thought leadership exchanged by its members and program facilitators. As a participant of WeThrive, my aim is to continue to nurture the relationships I gained through this experience.
What strategic priority are you focused on as a BIPOC leader, and how has WeThrive supported you and your organizational goals?
As a philanthropic professional of color (I am a 4th generation Mexican American), I understand the critical need for more diverse and representative leaders…leaders who help shape and lead the solutions of their respective communities. In my two decades of professional work as philanthropic advisor, researcher and fundraiser, too many times I either was the only Latina in the boardroom where decisions of investment in communities of color were unfolding, or if there were other professionals of color, our c-suite leadership was not reflective of our racial and cultural identities. And this matters -- it matters in dynamics of power, authority, and the ability to have honest conversations about the communities that philanthropy seeks to support.
So, at the beginning of 2022, CivicAIM launched a video series, Redefining Philanthropy in Practice and Profession, to highlight some of the most courageous, resourceful practitioners of color in the field of philanthropy to elevate how BIPOC professionals are changing philanthropy for the better. Each featured speaker goes beyond a ‘business-as-usual’ mindset and helps demonstrate what philanthropy can be if it is structured to drive justice across communities and generations.
I launched this series to provoke curiosity, inspiration, and do our part in broadening the definition of philanthropy in practice and profession. My hope is that the Redefining Philanthropy series will help move us closer to a philanthropy that is truly representative because when all people’s voices are heard everyone benefits.
Access to CivicAIM's video series, newsletters, case studies and blogs can be found at: www.civicaim.com
WeThrive has reiterated the need to elevate, lift and connect BIPOC leadership -- and through the CivicAIM video series, this is my effort in advancing this collective strategic goal!
Jordan Coats
Founder, Chairman & CEO, Lupita’s Community Cafe
Jordan Coats (he/him) is a biracial man from a multiracial military family, born in California and raised in North Texas. His professional career includes over seven years of experience in the nonprofit sector and a decade of culinary experience in the restaurant industry. Jordan is a social entrepreneur passionate about social justice, art, music, and food and believes it is possible for societal norms to shift and for every human to have their basic needs.
What has your experience been like with WeThrive?
My experience with WeThrive has been a positive journey full of self-discovery, constant empowerment, and phenomenal support.
What strategic priority are you focused on as a BIPOC leader, and how has WeThrive supported you and your organizational goals?
As a BIPOC leader, I am strategically cultivating networks that create space allowing BIPOC individuals to show up authentically and be themselves. WeThirve has provided not only a network of BIPOC leaders, but a community of support, and network to better navigate the nonprofit sector as a BIPOC leader to drive positive change.
Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia
Executive Director, Jolt Action and Jolt Initiative (in July Jeremiah Program - Austin)
Dr. Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia is a first generation to college Tejana committed to equity and underrepresented communities. Gloria was the first Latina elected as a school board trustee for her local public school district. She continues to dovetail her passion for innovation, equity and inclusion, and education as a community organizer and volunteer. She believes in the power of people unified working for a greater good.
What has your experience been like with WeThrive?
WeThrive has been a wonderful experience, taking time to create community with other nonprofit leaders in my area.
What strategic priority are you focused on as a BIPOC leader, and how has WeThrive supported you and your organizational goals?
Ensuring that my staff feel empowered to lead their programs with a specific and intentional lens on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Other nonprofit CEO/EDs in our WeThrive Cohort 5 included: Mia Greer, COO Community Coalition for Health, Dr. Charles Moody, CEO, Community Coalition for Health and Laura Molinar, ED of Suenos Sin Fronteras. Meet the leaders from cohort 1, cohort 2, cohort 3 & cohort 4.
Interested in participating in a future WeThrive cohort?
We’re gearing up for another series of WeThrive Sessions! Join our mailing list using the form below and be the first to learn about future dates.