Nonprofits have many things on which to focus their attention each day. They are working constantly to better their organizations and increase their impact. By participating in SVP Partner Tom Lane’s OneTeam Leadership experience, staff from multiple nonprofits were allowed the time and space to slow down and think.

Lane describes how the idea came to light: “Successfully navigating the high-speed, ever-changing, complex world of business requires a number of important skills, not the least of which is leadership. It occurred to me that the nonprofit world is at least equally challenging as the for profit world and perhaps more so, as nonprofits are typically under-funded and sparsely-resourced. This realization hit home for me and I decided to do something about it. This is where the initial idea of creating a long-term leadership development program for nonprofit leaders was born. The structure of the program would be parallel to that of the ones we create and deliver to business leaders. We would focus on the three core dimensions of leadership: organizational, team and self.”

Participants soon found themselves immersed in an exploration of self for three days that transformed beautifully into time and space to reflect on their impact on the team and organization with whom they work.

“I found the SVP oneTeam Leadership course to be transformational, both personally and professionally. Easily one of the best professional development experiences I’ve ever had, the non-profit leadership course not only pushed me to delve further into my own skills, but allowed me to connect my understandings to the benefit of my whole organization, all the while building relationships with other local non-profit leaders. I’m extremely grateful to have been a part.” –program attendee, Emily Lopez

SVP Partner, Marinn Bengal, has had experience as a participant and now leader in the program as she assisted in facilitation of the pilot program.  Many have shared the impact the program has had on their lives both personally and professionally and the changes it facilitates in relationships even outside of their organization.

“The SVP Leadership Experience has led to significant movement in my personal life and professional life. I’ve grown more self-aware in a variety of areas and as a result have become better communicator and more effective leader. Even as the program is ongoing, I can already see the fruit—my family sees it, my teammates see it and our clients see it. I’m thankful for the new set of lenses through which to see myself, our organization and our clients; with those tools, we are charting a clearer and more effective pathway toward restoring and empowering our impoverished neighbors.” –program attendee, Matt Shaw

October will be the group’s fourth segment with a capstone session in November.