The annual EXCEL Award not only recognizes outstanding nonprofit leadership in our region, but also provides an opportunity for all of us to learn from authentic paths toward excellence. The Center has produced a series of video shorts, Cultivating EXCELLENCE in Nonprofit Leadership, touching on four key issues identified in this year’s competition. Each video stars one of the 2020 award finalists, focusing on a critical, highly relevant area of achievement where she was exceptionally successful.
Hosted by Sean Sweeney, the Center’s Director of Education and Special Programs, the videos also include guest appearances from either Ian Shuman or Ricardo Trujillo, both representing GRF CPAs & Advisors, our EXCEL Award Sponsor.
All are free to watch at your convenience. We encourage you to learn from their experiences!
Cultivating EXCELLENCE in Nonprofit Leadership
Fourth release: Ethical Storytelling
Starring: Elizabeth Jones Valderrama
Executive Director of Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR) and 2020 EXCEL Award winner
Elizabeth and her team created an innovative way to share the powerful stories of their clients while maintaining their anonymity and protecting them from the trauma of having to continuously relive difficult experiences. Learn how this impacted funding and outreach.
Third release: Centralizing Governance
Starring: Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro
CEO, USTA Mid-Atlantic Section and 2020 EXCEL Award honorable mention
Tara led USTA MAS through a significant transformation, uniting segmented district offices in DC, Maryland, Virginia and parts of West Virginia into a stronger centralized Section, one that embraces individuality, puts people first and rewards staff for challenging themselves. Learn how she did it.
Second release: Avoiding FOUNDERS Syndrome
Starring: Maya Martin Cadogan
Founder & Executive Director, Parents Amplifying Voices in Education (PAVE) and 2020 EXCEL Award honorable mention
Maya founded PAVE in 2016, and has since grown the organization from a 1-person team with a budget of $50,000 to a 13-person team with an annual budget of nearly $2.5 million—all while staying true to PAVE’s mission. Learn how she did it.
First release: DIVERSIFYING Your Staff & Board
Starring Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, Executive Director of Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR), and 2020 EXCEL Award winner
Elizabeth moved beyond diversity and inclusion to transform OAR into an organization committed to anti-racism and racial justice. Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) now comprise 50% of OAR’s board members and 80% of staff. Hear what steps she took to achieve this significant accomplishment.
Congratulations to the 2020 EXCEL Award winner!
Elizabeth Jones Valderrama
Executive Director
Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR)
And to our Honorable Mentions!
Maya Martin Cadogan
Founder & Executive Director
Parents Amplifying Voices in Education (PAVE)
