Education
Lifelong learning is one of my core values. I learn from every experience and seek new opportunities, both formal and informal, to educate myself. I always enjoy passing on what has worked for me, and learning what works for others makes me tick.
Coaching is a unique blend of professional development and personal growth that I've tailored to apply to nonprofit work. The certification program that I completed in 2015, "Coaching for Life and Work" teaches the International Coaching Federation's Core Competencies. I am an ACC certified coach and I enjoy ongoing continuing education!
I completed the Certificate in Fund Raising Management in 2010 at this pioneering institute by taking courses both locally and in Indianapolis. In addition to the required Principles & Techniques of Fundraising, the classes I selected were: Preparing Successful Grant Proposals, Planned Giving: Getting a Good Start, Annual Giving & Major Gifts, and Interpersonal Communication. (Some of their course offerings have since changed.)
I became an Interfaith Minister in 2002, after my grandmother passed away. I felt called to work with others in the deep, rich soil of life transitions and milestones. The two-year ordination process deepened my appreciation and understanding of diverse belief systems, developed my leadership and facilitation skills, and honed my ability to remain focused and present in a support role.
I earned my Master of Arts degree through the Sophia Center at Holy Names University, which seeks to integrate art, science, and spirituality to define a culture of diversity, sustainability, and peace. This work strengthened my natural ability to see common threads and connections across multiple viewpoints. As part of our program, we studied Evolutionary Cosmology with Brian Swimme at the California Institute of Integral Studies.
As an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, I studied Psychology to understand myself, others and our culture more deeply. Years later when I fundraised for Berkeley, one of my favorite reunion volunteers said to me, "Psychology, hmmm... You're not really using that, are you?" I smiled, knowing how much of our nonprofit philanthropy work originates from our deeper beliefs, feelings and behaviors. Go Bears!!
It all started at Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, where I learned that it was "cool" to give back through volunteer service and ongoing fundraising drives, to support each other during Spirit Week, and to share our deepest thoughts openly during student retreats. My musical performances, classes in World Religions and Atheism & Faith set the stage for a lifetime of inquiry and exploration. Go Dragons!!
