How They Lead

Karen LaShelle, Executive Director of Creative Action, joins hosts Kent and Shelby for this final episode of Season 1 to talk about her trajectory from volunteer to leader of Creative Action, a nonprofit, arts-based youth development organization that provides creative learning programs for Central Texas youth.

Karen talks about the weight of being an Executive Director, but also the best parts of her role; her passion for building community; and how Creative Action adapted during the pandemic to continue supporting their students, including their new virtual programming - Creative Action Together (https://creativeaction.org/together/).

The Competency Model topic of this episode is equity, diversity, and inclusion. Karen talks about the work that she and Creative Action are doing to operationalize equity.

Every episode of How They Lead will feature a local Austin-area nonprofit executive discussing how they got to where they are today, surprising lessons they’ve learned along the way, and what skills they’re looking for in young nonprofit leaders. Each episode will align with skills from YNPN Austin’s Competency Model and how they have honed that skill through their work.

Connect with us:

Become a YNPN Austin member

Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram

Donate to YNPN Austin today

Have questions? Email [email protected]

About YNPN Austin

YNPN Austin provides affordable and accessible professional development opportunities that empower young leaders and advance the nonprofit community. Our mission is to provide accessible professional development opportunities that empower young leaders and advance the nonprofit community.

www.ynpnaustin.org (http://www.ynpnaustin.org/)

Episode 5 - Alyssia Palacios-Woods

In this episode, Kent and Shelby interview Alyssia Palacios-Woods, President and CEO of the Austin Young Chamber (AYC), a nonprofit in Austin with a mission to connect and empower young professionals to create business, community and individual success.

Alyssia talks about her journey from graphic design to fundraising, how AYC provides professional development to young professionals, including AYC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and workforce issues.

The Competency Model topic of this episode is fundraising. Alyssia explains that active listening and building relationships are key skills that support strong fundraising.

Every episode of How They Lead will feature a local Austin-area nonprofit executive discussing how they got to where they are today, surprising lessons they’ve learned along the way, and what skills they’re looking for in young nonprofit leaders. Each episode will align with skills from YNPN Austin’s Competency Model and how they have honed that skill through their work.

Connect with us:

Become a YNPN Austin member

Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram

Donate to YNPN Austin today

Have questions? Email [email protected]

About YNPN Austin

YNPN Austin provides affordable and accessible professional development opportunities that empower young leaders and advance the nonprofit community. Our mission is to provide accessible professional development opportunities that empower young leaders and advance the nonprofit community.

 

www.ynpnaustin.org (http://www.ynpnaustin.org)

Our hosts Shelby and Kent are joined by Michael Ward, President and CEO of Austin Urban Technology Movement (AUTM). Michael came to Austin working in the for profit space, but eventually made the switch to the nonprofit sector. Shelby and Kent will discuss with Michael how he translated his experience in sales and technology into his leadership role at AUTM.

Austin Urban Technology Movement, a nonprofit whose mission is to bridge the gap between the Black and Hispanic communities and the technology industry through job placement, career development, and networking opportunities. Michael emphasizes collaboration and embracing failure when addressing disparities in the technology ecosystem.

The Competency Model skill explored in this episode is Relationship Building and Networking, and Michael explains how AUTM focuses on community outreach with a focus on the Austin technology ecosystem.

Every episode of How They Lead will feature a local Austin-area nonprofit executive discussing how they got to where they are today, surprising lessons they’ve learned along the way, and what skills they’re looking for in young nonprofit leaders. Each episode will align with skills from YNPN Austin’s Competency Model and how they have honed that skill through their work.

Connect with us:

Become a YNPN Austin member

Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram

Donate to YNPN Austin today

Have questions? Email [email protected]

About YNPN Austin

YNPN Austin provides affordable and accessible professional development opportunities that empower young leaders and advance the nonprofit community. Our mission is to provide accessible professional development opportunities that empower young leaders and advance the nonprofit community.

 

www.ynpnaustin.org (http://www.ynpnaustin.org)

Our hosts Shelby and Kent are joined by Dr. Matt Hinsley, Executive Director of Austin Classical Guitar, a nonprofit whose mission is to inspire individuals in the communities we serve through musical experiences of deep personal significance. Dr. Hinsley talks about the power music has to connect us and the community-focused model of ACG, as well as the importance of capturing hard-to-measure impacts in the work he does.

The Competency Model skill explored in this episode is Communication/Relationship Management, and Dr. Hinsley expressed his love for personality tests such as Meyers-Briggs and the Enneagram and the role they can play in helping young nonprofit leaders understand how to communicate with their team.

During the episode, Dr. Hinsley talks about Austin Classical Guitar’s Lullaby Project. Click here listen to some of these lullabies: https://www.austinclassicalguitar.org/the-lullaby-project/

 

Every episode of How They Lead will feature a local Austin-area nonprofit executive discussing how they got to where they are today, surprising lessons they’ve learned along the way, and what skills they’re looking for in young nonprofit leaders. Each episode will align with skills from YNPN Austin’s Competency Model and how they have honed that skill through their work.

Connect with us:

Become a YNPN Austin member

Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram

Donate to YNPN Austin today

Have questions? Email [email protected]

About YNPN Austin

YNPN Austin provides affordable and accessible professional development opportunities that empower young leaders and advance the nonprofit community. Our mission is to provide accessible professional development opportunities that empower young leaders and advance the nonprofit community.

 

www.ynpnaustin.org (http://www.ynpnaustin.org)

In this episode, Kent and Shelby interview Ashley Alaniz-Moyer, Executive Director of the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium, a nonprofit in Austin that provides Latino scholars with access to higher education, academic success, professional experience, and a network of support.

Ashley talks about feeling like Oprah, the challenges of leading a nonprofit and communicating with corporate partner organizations, why she actually doesn’t want 2020 to end, and how she sees her community volunteer work as an extension of her job.

The Competency Model topic of this episode is EDI (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion). Ashley speaks about where nonprofits are falling short in their EDI work and how she is “here for” getting the work done.

Every episode of How They Lead will feature a local Austin-area nonprofit executive discussing how they got to where they are today, surprising lessons they’ve learned along the way, and what skills they’re looking for in young nonprofit leaders. Each episode will align with skills from YNPN Austin’s Competency Model and how they have honed that skill through their work.

Connect with us:

Become a YNPN Austin member

Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram

Donate to YNPN Austin today

Have questions? Email [email protected]

About YNPN Austin

YNPN Austin provides affordable and accessible professional development opportunities that empower young leaders and advance the nonprofit community. Our mission is to provide accessible professional development opportunities that empower young leaders and advance the nonprofit community.

 

www.ynpnaustin.org (http://www.ynpnaustin.org)