Executive Director Learning Circle
About the program
Since 2015, this program has provided space for learning and peer dialogue specifically among nonprofit executive directors. Serving as a nonprofit executive director is a great privilege and a particular challenge. You wear many hats, from holding your organization's vision, to minding the daily details, fostering partnerships, and generating financial support. Join this series to connect with fellow directors for support and engagement. Session topics have included board diversity, federal tax changes, organizational growth, marketing, finance, and personal resiliency.
Series co-facilitators, Marsie Silvestro and Ross Chaney, offer a wealth of experience to share.
Meet the people leading the conversation
Marsie Silvestro
Marsie Silvestro
Marsie Silvestro brings four decades of expertise to her roles as an intuitive and dynamic Executive Director, Board and Staff Trainer, Group Retreat Facilitator and Mentor. Her leadership experience spans work on both the local and national levels. She is proficient in the Appreciative Inquiry Strategic Model which focuses on identifying an organization's strengths through individual and group interviewing progresses that honors what has been done, creates transformative collective dreaming and creating effective solution based and accomplishable work plans that will move an agency toward growth and a new pathways toward a successful mission.
Marsie believes that no matter what someone’s position is in an agency or the community, all are needed to steer towards a future that elevates the voices and needs of those they serve, as well as ensures that staff and board members feel heard, listened to, included, and appreciated as a thread in the web of service and safety.
Ross Chaney
Ross Chaney
Ross Chaney is a seasoned nonprofit and business consultant who specializes in strategic planning, writing, executive coaching, and applications of AI for nonprofits and small organizations. He has 20 years of experience in northern New Mexico nonprofit and public service, working across different leadership roles and diverse sectors. Ross’ experience includes:
- Coaching for ED’s and program staff for leadership development
- Governance, organizational development, operations and strategy
- Policy issues, program/operations expansion or reduction
- Budgeting and finance coaching
- Reviewing grant proposals, reports, and other documents
- Exploring the potential of AI for your organization
- Extensive knowledge of Native American and NM culture
Nelsy Domínguez, MSW
Nelsy Domínguez, MSW
Nelsy Domínguez, MSW is Principal & Managing Director of c3 Perspectives Consulting, LLC. As a consultant to philanthropy and nonprofit organizations, she applies her many years of organizational, grantmaking, leadership, programmatic, and equity experience to grow the potential of the 501c3 sector’s impact and capacity. Nelsy’s experience as Program Director at two statewide foundations, the Con Alma Health Foundation and the New Mexico [Community] Foundation, extends over twenty-years. She was Deputy Director & COO ofFarm to Table NM and New Mexico First. Throughout her career, Nelsy has been committed to equity, nonprofit organizational and leadership development, and to improving the quality of life and economic opportunity of historically underinvested populations. She serves on the Board of Groundworks New Mexico and is an Advisor to the Envision Fund of the Santa Fe Community Foundation, Santa Fe Data Platform, the Healthy Entry for Asylees Lives (HEAL) and the Shelter Action for Family Emergency Response (SAFER) Funds of the New Mexico Foundation, and the New Mexico Food & Agriculture Policy Council. Nelsy has a Master of Social Work from the New Mexico Highlands University.
Valeria Alarcón
Valeria Alarcón
Valeria Alarcón brings 20+years of experience in the nonprofit and private, and public sectors. She is a visionary, thought-provoker and has a successful track record in high-level and tactical organizational management, and building cross-sector collaborations.
Thriving in the face of adversity has defined Valeria’s life, especially during her childhood while growing up in inner-city Boston in the 1980s. Her life experiences as an immigrant child and Latina-woman-of-color have profoundly shaped her. As a result, Valeria is deeply committed to cultivating cultures of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at a fundamental level.
Valeria founded VIA Consulting LLC. in 2009, a consultancy specializing in innovative solutions and accelerating race and gender equity. Clients include nonprofits, international non-governmental organizations, social entrepreneurs, foundations, businesses, and municipalities. Valeria holds a B.S. in Organizational Psychology from theCollege of Santa Fe, is certified in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training by Cornell University, and is also certified in Integrative Nutrition by theInstitute of Integrative Nutrition, NY.
Alicia Lueras Maldonado
Alicia Lueras Maldonado
Alicia Lueras Maldonado is a facilitator, coach, consultant and strategist. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication & Journalism, and Spanish from the University of New Mexico. She received her coaching certification from Leadership that Works, which is an Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) with the International Coach Federation. Her coaching focuses on personal transformation and growth, equity, and leadership and organizational development. She incorporates visualization, breath work, meditation, journaling, storytelling and movement as part of her coaching.
Alicia’s background in politics, the arts, community and social justice organizing gives her a unique perspective, which she brings to her practice. As the Founder & Chief Executive Officer, she has over 25 years of social justice organizing, management, consulting and facilitation experience. In addition, Alicia is also an actor, writer, photographer, level II reiki practitioner and certified yoga instructor. She integrates all these disciplines into her work.
Desiree Robledo
Desiree Robledo
Desiree Robledo believes in providing everyone with an opportunity to heal and thrive, regardless of their origins or backgrounds. She has a profound capacity for empathy and an unwavering commitment to assist those in need. Desiree’s expertise in program development is complemented by a personalized approach.
Throughout her tenure in policy advocacy and restorative justice with organizations such as Dream Org, Community Not Cages, AVP, LARRP, The Ella Baker Center, and RDFE, Desiree has made significant contributions to the conceptualization and execution of pioneering reentry programs. Among Desiree’s notable achievements is the establishment of a bespoke case management system. This initiative reflects her understanding of the importance of support systems, as she witnessed firsthand the dedication of her father, a lifelong field worker, and her mother, who has spent her career cleaning houses. As a single mother of three, Desiree’s resolve is to dismantle the unnecessary obstacles facing those who earnestly seek a second chance.
Meet the people leading the conversation
Marsie Silvestro
Marsie Silvestro
Marsie Silvestro brings four decades of expertise to her roles as an intuitive and dynamic Executive Director, Board and Staff Trainer, Group Retreat Facilitator and Mentor. Her leadership experience spans work on both the local and national levels. She is proficient in the Appreciative Inquiry Strategic Model which focuses on identifying an organization's strengths through individual and group interviewing progresses that honors what has been done, creates transformative collective dreaming and creating effective solution based and accomplishable work plans that will move an agency toward growth and a new pathways toward a successful mission.
Marsie believes that no matter what someone’s position is in an agency or the community, all are needed to steer towards a future that elevates the voices and needs of those they serve, as well as ensures that staff and board members feel heard, listened to, included, and appreciated as a thread in the web of service and safety.
Ross Chaney
Ross Chaney
Ross Chaney is a seasoned nonprofit and business consultant who specializes in strategic planning, writing, executive coaching, and applications of AI for nonprofits and small organizations. He has 20 years of experience in northern New Mexico nonprofit and public service, working across different leadership roles and diverse sectors. Ross’ experience includes:
- Coaching for ED’s and program staff for leadership development
- Governance, organizational development, operations and strategy
- Policy issues, program/operations expansion or reduction
- Budgeting and finance coaching
- Reviewing grant proposals, reports, and other documents
- Exploring the potential of AI for your organization
- Extensive knowledge of Native American and NM culture
Meet the people leading the conversation
Nelsy Domínguez, MSW
Nelsy Domínguez, MSW
Nelsy Domínguez, MSW is Principal & Managing Director of c3 Perspectives Consulting, LLC. As a consultant to philanthropy and nonprofit organizations, she applies her many years of organizational, grantmaking, leadership, programmatic, and equity experience to grow the potential of the 501c3 sector’s impact and capacity. Nelsy’s experience as Program Director at two statewide foundations, the Con Alma Health Foundation and the New Mexico [Community] Foundation, extends over twenty-years. She was Deputy Director & COO ofFarm to Table NM and New Mexico First. Throughout her career, Nelsy has been committed to equity, nonprofit organizational and leadership development, and to improving the quality of life and economic opportunity of historically underinvested populations. She serves on the Board of Groundworks New Mexico and is an Advisor to the Envision Fund of the Santa Fe Community Foundation, Santa Fe Data Platform, the Healthy Entry for Asylees Lives (HEAL) and the Shelter Action for Family Emergency Response (SAFER) Funds of the New Mexico Foundation, and the New Mexico Food & Agriculture Policy Council. Nelsy has a Master of Social Work from the New Mexico Highlands University.
Valeria Alarcón
Valeria Alarcón
Valeria Alarcón brings 20+years of experience in the nonprofit and private, and public sectors. She is a visionary, thought-provoker and has a successful track record in high-level and tactical organizational management, and building cross-sector collaborations.
Thriving in the face of adversity has defined Valeria’s life, especially during her childhood while growing up in inner-city Boston in the 1980s. Her life experiences as an immigrant child and Latina-woman-of-color have profoundly shaped her. As a result, Valeria is deeply committed to cultivating cultures of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at a fundamental level.
Valeria founded VIA Consulting LLC. in 2009, a consultancy specializing in innovative solutions and accelerating race and gender equity. Clients include nonprofits, international non-governmental organizations, social entrepreneurs, foundations, businesses, and municipalities. Valeria holds a B.S. in Organizational Psychology from theCollege of Santa Fe, is certified in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training by Cornell University, and is also certified in Integrative Nutrition by theInstitute of Integrative Nutrition, NY.
Alicia Lueras Maldonado
Alicia Lueras Maldonado
Alicia Lueras Maldonado is a facilitator, coach, consultant and strategist. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication & Journalism, and Spanish from the University of New Mexico. She received her coaching certification from Leadership that Works, which is an Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) with the International Coach Federation. Her coaching focuses on personal transformation and growth, equity, and leadership and organizational development. She incorporates visualization, breath work, meditation, journaling, storytelling and movement as part of her coaching.
Alicia’s background in politics, the arts, community and social justice organizing gives her a unique perspective, which she brings to her practice. As the Founder & Chief Executive Officer, she has over 25 years of social justice organizing, management, consulting and facilitation experience. In addition, Alicia is also an actor, writer, photographer, level II reiki practitioner and certified yoga instructor. She integrates all these disciplines into her work.
Desiree Robledo
Desiree Robledo
Desiree Robledo believes in providing everyone with an opportunity to heal and thrive, regardless of their origins or backgrounds. She has a profound capacity for empathy and an unwavering commitment to assist those in need. Desiree’s expertise in program development is complemented by a personalized approach.
Throughout her tenure in policy advocacy and restorative justice with organizations such as Dream Org, Community Not Cages, AVP, LARRP, The Ella Baker Center, and RDFE, Desiree has made significant contributions to the conceptualization and execution of pioneering reentry programs. Among Desiree’s notable achievements is the establishment of a bespoke case management system. This initiative reflects her understanding of the importance of support systems, as she witnessed firsthand the dedication of her father, a lifelong field worker, and her mother, who has spent her career cleaning houses. As a single mother of three, Desiree’s resolve is to dismantle the unnecessary obstacles facing those who earnestly seek a second chance.
Executive Director Checklist and Infrastructure Resources
facilitated by Marsie Silvestro and Ross Chaney, with guest speakers Colleen Shaughnessy and Maria Jose Cadiz Rodriguez
We invite you to learn from experienced directors and share tips with new ones; discover useful resources for insurance, office, staffing, and banking needs; and evaluate your agency’s strengths and areas for improvement. Bring questions, tips, suggestions, and resources to share.
Board Recruitment and Management
facilitated by Marsie Silvestro and Ross Chaney, with guest speaker Nelsy Dominguez
In this session, we invite you to learn how to attract and retain diverse and qualified board members, understand how to work effectively with your board and leverage their skills and networks, and assess your board’s performance and satisfaction.
Artificial Intelligence Uses and Challenges
facilitated by Marsie Silvestro and Ross Chaney
Join us to hear from Ross and other experts on how AI can benefit your organization and sector, learn about the opportunities and challenges of implementing AI solutions, and network with other AI enthusiasts and practitioners.
Succession Planning and Sustainability
facilitated by Marsie Silvestro and Ross Chaney with guest speaker Valeria Alarcón
In this session, we invite you to learn how to conduct an internal audit and prepare for leadership transitions, discuss how to address racial and environmental justice issues in your work, and develop a sustainability plan for your organization’s future.
Antiracism, JEDI, and Allyship in Your Organization
facilitated by Marsie Silvestro and Ross Chaney with guest speaker Alicia Lueras Maldonado
In this session, we invite you to participate in a DEI/antiracism training session and reflect on your own biases and privileges, learn how to foster a JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) culture in your organization and sector, and identify ways to be an ally and support marginalized communities.
Effective and Diversified Fundraising and Philanthropy
facilitated by Marsie Silvestro and Ross Chaney with guest speakers Madalena Salazar and T. Michael Trimm
This session invites Executive Directors to create a board fundraising toolkit and train your board members on how to raise funds; learn how to cultivate a philanthropic mindset and culture among your board and staff; and explore different sources and strategies of fundraising and diversify your revenue.
Coaching, Developing, and Evaluating Staff & Board
facilitated by Marsie Silvestro and Ross Chaney with guest speaker Desiree Robledo
This session invites you to learn how to coach your staff and board members and help them grow and excel; create a development plan for yourself, your staff, and your board members; and evaluate your staff and board members’ performance and feedback.
Funder Panel
facilitated by Marsie Silvestro and Ross Chaney
In this session, hear from local funders about their missions, priorities, and funding opportunities; learn how to build and maintain relationships with funders and communicate your impact; and ask questions and get feedback from funders.
Communication Styles and Conflict Management
facilitated by Marsie Silvestro and Ross Chaney
In this session, we invite you to learn about different communication styles and preferences and how to adapt to them, understand the causes and effects of conflict and how to handle it constructively, and practice your communication and conflict resolution skills in various scenarios.