SAN ANTONIO – Amidst navigating challenges related to growth, finances, legislation, burnout and more, it is critical that nonprofit leaders have access to impactful, holistic support.
That’s where the San Antonio Area Foundation comes in, intentionally investing in nonprofit leaders through unique executive professional development opportunities such as the San Antonio Confluence Fellowship.
Launched in 2021 as the San Antonio Equity Fellowship and reintroduced in 2025 as the San Antonio Confluence Fellowship, the eight-month transformational leadership experience centers relationships, prioritizes well-being for nonprofit leaders and supports their efforts to close opportunity gaps in our community.
Last month, the Area Foundation celebrated the completion of the fifth Fellowship group at the Carver Community Cultural Center. In a room of family, friends, colleagues and alumni, the Area Foundation honored the 21 leaders who completed this year’s program.
Guests enjoyed performances by 2020-2023 San Antonio Poet Laureate, Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson and pianist Robert Cockfield III. The graduates also participated in a drumming circle led by musical artist, Orlan “T’Bow” Gonzales. This was a full circle moment as each program begins with a drumming circle during the first session, often met with nerves but always ending in laughter. Months later, during the final circle, shared smiles and glances reflect deeper relationships and growth.
Equally touching, this year’s keynote speaker, Patricia Mejia, Chief Impact and Inclusion Officer at the San Antonio Spurs, holds a personal connection to the program since she led its formation during her time as the Area Foundation’s Vice President of Community Engagement and Impact. Mejia shared with the graduates that the work they are doing now will remain with the people they serve for years to come.
Beyond the performances and keynote, the ceremony also created space for graduate reflections.
“Thank you for making me feel comfortable, for making me feel safe, for making this experience so much more than I thought it’d be,” shared Jan Ross Sakian, a board member for the World Affairs Council of San Antonio and who has taken advantage of other Area Foundation training opportunities such as the Nonprofit Management Certification Program. “I have been outside of my comfort zone, but I’ve also felt really at peace. Every time I showed up to a session, I was eager to learn.”
Thurman Hogan, Director of Operations for Black Outside, Inc., detailed the never-ending to-do list for nonprofit leaders.
“All these things we’re doing, but we aren’t pouring into ourselves … The Confluence Fellowship was an eight-month reminder to be intentional. We had to wrestle with and eventually accept that self-care matters. That we matter,” Hogan said. “And that taking space for us to have self-care, that’s going to ultimately increase our capacity to continue the work sustainably.”
The Confluence Fellowship is also a space for emerging leaders to develop their knowledge and confidence.
“Coming into the fellowship without the recognizable title of being a leader was very nerve wrecking for me,” said Stefanie Banda, Lead Therapist at Healy-Murphy Center. “This fellowship taught me [that] a leader is someone who’s brave enough to face adversity to bring change … Ultimately, we’re all here to make people a better version of themselves, to help them heal, to help them believe in themselves … that’s what this program has done.”
This year’s success adds to the list of accomplishments the program has amassed since its founding. Over five years, 89 nonprofit leaders have become Equity/Confluence Fellows, taking with them newly gained knowledge and an expanded personal network.
Are you a nonprofit leader, or do you know one, who may be interested in the next Confluence Fellowship group? Applications will open next month—follow the Area Foundation on social media for updates.
