The San Antonio Area Foundation kicked off one of our region’s most unique professional development programs geared for minority nonprofit leaders.
The Area Foundation Equity Fellowship launched its third annual program with a reception welcoming the 2023 participants.
The months-long immersive program aims to create space for community leaders of color to come together and share experiences they’ve accumulated through their respective nonprofits.
Allen Blair, Project Coordinator for Capacity Building and Strategic Projects at the Area Foundation, offered opening remarks sharing gratitude for new programs members and past participants. Lisa Brunsvold, Interim CEO at the Area Foundation, highlighted how the Equity Fellowship represented the Area Foundation’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Participants chimed in with a sense of eagerness in being part of this opportunity and what it will offer them in terms of growth opportunities as nonprofit leaders.
“As I was learning about the program and seeing the emphasis on inclusion, I knew I had to join!” stated Dr. Jeneise Briggs, Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Opportunity Home San Antonio. Originally from Jamaica, Dr. Briggs emphasized her interest in meeting other community leaders to leverage resources.
Alexis Moore, Development Director at NPower, noted looking forward to . “being able to put together ideas that hopefully can then turn into action in ways that we can help change San Antonio for the better.”
While the 2023 program is underway, the Area Foundation’s Community Engagement and Impact team is available to hear from nonprofit leaders interested in taking part the next time the program is offered. Click here for more details on the program and reach out to Jennifer Cook at jcook@saafdn.org and Allen Blair at ablair@saafdn.org if you or someone you know would be a good candidate.
Here are the 2023 Area Foundation Equity Fellows Program participants:
| Adrianne | Acevedo | ChildSafe | Director of the Care Coordination Team (DCCT) |
| Nisi | Bennett | All Heart Initiative | Community Inclusion Officer |
| Jeneise | Briggs | Opportunity Home | Director of EDI |
| Dalia | Contreras | City Education Partners | CEO |
| Manuel | Davila | American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions | Cultural Arts Manager |
| Auburn | Hart | San Antonio Metro Health | Community Health Worker |
| Misty | Harty | YWCA San Antonio | Director of Racial Justice and Gender Equity |
| Jeff | May | San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum | Chief Administrative Officer |
| Alexis | Moore | NPower | Development Director |
| Elizabeth | Moseley | UP Partnership | Director: K-12 & Youth Development |
| Steffi | Ockenfels | Students of Service | Board Member, Development Chair |
| Nancy | Parilla | Fuerza Unida | Chief Financial Officer |
| Tanesha | Payne | sumRset Movement | Founder and Artistic Director |
| Steven | Sano | Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMAICD) | Community Development Expert SpecialIst – Equity |
| Vanessa | Vasquez | Ethical Network of San Antonio | Board Member – Programs Chair |
| Patricia “Patty” | Vela | Autism Community Network (ACN) | Chief Development and Outreach Officer |
| Carmen | Velasquez-Avila | Palo Alto College | Director of Student Advocacy |
Cristiana Salinas serves as the Multi-Media Specialist at the San Antonio Area Foundation.
