Testimony from Graduates

With testimony from numerous graduates and employers, the Alliance for Children and Families' Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) has proven itself to be a program that supports nonprofit human service professionals setting out on their journeys to achieve executive-level leadership.

It also makes succession planning decidedly easier for nonprofit human service organizations by offering a concrete, affordable tool.

"Where else would you get this level of supportive education?"

“(ELI) provided training on how to be a leader and a manager in these tough economic times, which was obviously very relevant. The leadership development and management skills they are teaching right now are timeless.”

“ELI does fortify a sense of network; that we aren’t in it alone. We realize we are all facing the same struggles and our frustrations on the programming level are the same or similar to the operations level and executive level. But we are just looking at it in different ways.”

“Where else would you get this level of supportive education in this time of your life? If you go to graduate school right now, it’s all on you. Here they work to get you the skills and they help to get you through. It makes you feel good about learning. I am getting a knowledge base times 10 that you would never get unless a college or university had something set up.”

"I have been able to broaden my horizons in what it takes to be a leader and a CEO."

Marcel Lue, director of residential services at Alliance member Boysville in Converse, Texas 2009 ELI graduate

“ELI has provided a high level of leadership development. I have been able to broaden my horizons in what it takes to be a leader and CEO.”

“I would tell anyone who is going to attend to go in prepared to work. This is not a standard ‘conference.’ This training involves going in from the first minute and the learning begins.”

“The information that they provide us to bring back to our jobs is so useful. For me, one that is aspiring to be a CEO, it is invaluable, because I have learned things like fundraising that aren’t in my job description right now, but will be hopefully one day. They covered everything from fundraising to being able to speak to the IT people and telling them what we want, and what we need.”

"(My organization) gains because I am more vision-focused."

Marissa Espinoza, Wraparound program manager at Alliance member Casa Pacifica, Camarillo, Calif. 2009 ELI graduate

“Casa Pacifica gains because I am more vision-focused now. I am a middle manager right now and I have learned what a person striving to become an executive leader has to have. I can now say I have many of those qualities. Having that type of perspective in someone who is involved in the day-to-day operations can help support the mission of the organization.”

“What has helped me a lot was organizational change management, being aware of the impact of changes on staff. I learned ways to maintain staff morale, encourage motivation, and make sure staff members are involved in the process.”

“With the economy the way it is, organizations are shying away from sending people off to training. The return on the investment is the development of people who are really focused on the future, focused on improving the organization and its quality, and seeking excellence. When you do a cost-benefit analysis of that, it is well worth the investment.”