Newport Art Museum Director Named an Emerging Leader

Rebecca Bertrand of Newport is 1 of 14 people selected by the Rhode Island Foundation to participate in a program that will help prepare them for leadership positions in the state’s nonprofit sector. The Nonprofit Emerging Leaders Program provides unique learning opportunities for talented emerging leaders who have less than 10 years of experience.

“I hope to gain greater professional skills while networking with like-minded emerging nonprofit leaders,” said Bertrand, director of development at the Newport Art Museum, which serves Rhode Island and regional communities as a cultural gathering place for the states rich cultural heritage and lively contemporary art scene.

Participants in the Emerging Leaders program are paired with experienced mentors for 10 months of self-directed learning, through which they will create their own customized professional development plans. Bertrand is working with Lori Urso, executive director of the Old Slater Mill Association in Pawtucket.

Bertrand also will have access to optional technical trainings provided through the INE. Additionally, she will develop a support network through monthly peer-led discussions as well as through access to an on-line discussion forum and semi-annual networking events.

“We believe strong leadership is a cornerstone for nonprofit success. This is an intensive course for people who are looking to hone their leadership abilities and enrich their network of peer support,” said Jill Pfitzenmayer, vice president of the Foundation’s Initiative for Nonprofit Excellence (INE).

The other participants are Corinne Barber, development coordinator at WaterFire Providence; Aeran Baskin, managing director of development at Teach for America; Erica Busillo, membership and individual giving manager at Save The Bay; Kristen Costa, assistant curator at the Newport Restoration Foundation; Corinne Hursh, operations specialist at Year Up; Thomas Kerr-Vanderslice, Rhode Island site director for Generation Citizen; Allendre McGovern-Siembab, senior finance compliance analyst at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island; Zack Mezera, executive director of the Providence Student Union; Carole Ann Penney, director of operations for the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities; Vimala Phongsavanh, director of programs for the Center for Southeast Asians; Marlon Ramdehal, site leader for Year Up; Billy Watterson, executive director of Beat the Streets Providence; and Xong Yang, program director for social services at the Center for Southeast Asians.

The other mentors are Kate Brewster, executive director of the Economic Progress Institute; Sarah Dinklage, executive director of Rhode Island Student Assistance Services; Peter Mello, managing director of Waterfire Providence; David Karoff, David Karoff & Associates; Meghan Hughes, executive director of YearUp; Joan Kwiatkowski, CEO of Carelink; Michael Lichtenstein, executive director at Wood River Health Services; Chris Stephens, president and CEO of Horizon Healthcare Partners; Jim Nyberg, director of LeadingAge RI; Fred Ordoñez, executive director of Direct Action for Rights and Equality; Angelo Garcia , director of operations at Segue Institute for Learning; and Sunshine Menezes, executive director at the Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting.

Since 2008, INE has provided training, technical assistance, funding, and support to more than 3,000 program participants representing more than 1,100 organizations. The program supports nonprofits by sharing best practices, providing tools, doing good research, and encouraging leadership. It provides tools and information to promote good governance, sound management, cross-sector collaboration and reliable research.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. In 2013, the Foundation made grants of more than $31 million to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities. Through leadership, fundraising, and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit www.rifoundation.org.