Wean Foundation chooses members of new leadership program

The Raymond John Wean Foundation has named fifteen people who will take part in eight months of training to reinforce and improve their leadership skills in organizations focused on community development and improvement in the Mahoning Valley and surrounding areas.

Fifteen mid-career professionals from non-profit organizations across Warren and Youngstown were chosen from a competitive pool of nearly 40 applicants to be part of the inaugural class of the Wean Foundation's Nonprofit Leadership Cohort, partnering with Gradient, a consulting firm specializing in human equity development.

Gradient is an environmental and risk sciences consulting firm combining scientific principles and a systematic study of data, along with an independent perspective,to help clients understand issues they face.

Starting in 2025, the program will offer participants coaching, peer learning, and practical applications within their organizations. The curriculum focuses on building key leadership skills, including fostering inclusive leadership, strategic planning, financial management, and board governance.

The members of the first Nonprofit Leadership Cohort are:

• Alex Hertzer, Executive Director, Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition
• Angelica Diaz, Executive Director, Organización Cívica y Cultural Hispana Americana Inc.
• Audrey Novotny, CEO, Trumbull Mobile Meals
• Bryant L. Youngblood, Jr., Founder, Evolve Innovation Center
• Christopher Colón, Executive Director, Thrive Mahoning Valley / Northeast Ohio Regional Director, Ohio Environmental Council & OEC Action Fund
• Deon Stubbs, Founder and CEO, Hyer Merit Association
• Elisa Nicole Hosey, Re-Entry Support Specialist, Home for Good Re-Entry Center
• Jalaya Provitt, High School Program Coordinator, Inspiring Minds
• Kevin Stringer, Community Engagement Coordinator, Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership
• Lea Dotson, Co-founder, Warren Forward
• Markisha Parker, Executive Director, Parker Farms
• Melissa Phillips, Executive Director, Sunshine-Warren Homes
• Michaela Write, Mission Officer, YWCA Mahoning Valley
• Norman Carter, Founder and Executive Director, The Carter House Inc.
• Violeta Aguirre, Community Engagement Manager, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.

"We're thrilled to have such a diverse group committed to racial equity, organizational success, and improving the Mahoning Valley," said Fallon Peterson, Senior Director of Programs and Operations at the Wean Foundation.

The program aims to expand leadership opportunities, particularly for Black, Hispanic, and Latinx individuals, while ensuring fair compensation and strengthening the capacity of local non-profits. It succeeds the Wean Foundation's Emerging Leaders program, a collaborative learning initiative that engaged over 80 local leaders since 2013.

Upon completion (free for participants and their organizations), graduates can apply for the Wean Foundation's Strategic Partners Fellowship. This fellowship supports professional growth within their organizations and ensures fair compensation for advancement. This expands the existing Strategic Partners Fellowship, established in 2022, from two to ten fellows working in Mahoning Valley non-profits aligned with the Wean Foundation's goals.

Founded in 1949, the Wean Foundation supports under-resourced communities in Warren and Youngstown, Ohio. Through grantmaking, capacity building, and collaboration, they aim to create an equitable Mahoning Valley for all residents.