California Executive Leadership Program:
An Executive Leadership Program for California’s Leaders in the Field of Homelessness
The Impact Center is thrilled to announce that we are building our second cohort of the California Executive Leadership Program (CELP). CELP recognizes that leaders in the field of homelessness are being asked to do more and to lead differently than in the past. Leaders in the field are navigating an increasingly hostile, political, and polarized environment, requiring new and different skill sets.
CELP’s aim is to bring together leaders in the field to learn from one another within a community of peers, collectively engage in professional development, and create a space to exchange strategies and support in the face of the most pressing issues currently impacting the field.
“The group is inspirational and the topics of leadership development were relevant” - Cohort 1 Participant
Program Overview
CELP was born from the vision of Tamera Kohler at the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness (SD RTFH), recognizing the need for leaders in the field of homelessness in California to connect with one another to both learn from peers and to cultivate a community of support among leaders doing this vital work. The Impact Center was invited to design and deliver the program, which is endorsed by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
CELP brings together a cohort of twelve executive leaders from organizations in the field of homelessness in California, using peer learning as a method to deepen your knowledge, resources, and solidarity in your work.
Following the success of our first cohort, we are now accepting applications for our second CELP cohort! The deadline to apply is November 27, 2024 at 5:00pm PT.
“The exercises helped me learn more about myself“ - Cohort 1 Participant
Program Curriculum
CELP will focus on executive leadership with central theme being: What are the key components needed for successful, high performing leadership in the field of homelessness in California today?
The program curriculum will speak to three pillars:
Core competencies & leadership strategies for leading in this field;
Leadership development for the participants; and
Sustainability in leadership.
CELP is also designed to create spaces for deeper discussion on the most pressing issues currently impacting the field for participants to explore in real time, such as the City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson Supreme Court decision, state executive orders, and new developments at the regional and local level.
“I feel gracious and I appreciate the support I am receiving” - Cohort 1 Participant
Program Structure
CELP includes three in-person executive retreats taking place across the state and will be supported by online learning activities.
The first retreat will take place at the outset of the program and will focus on your individual leadership development. The exercises and curriculum covered in this retreat will support your understanding of your own strengths and encourage exploration of your identities as authentic leaders. The first executive retreat will take place on February 5 - 7, 2025.
The second retreat will take place on March 19 - 21, 2025.
The third retreat will occur at the end of the program on May 14 - 16, 2025.
In between retreats, you will gather for virtual Peer Learning Sessions focused on situational topics. These sessions will create a space for peer support and knowledge sharing to empower you and your fellow leaders to tackle real-time challenges.
“The cohort selection was excellent and the programming was helpful“ - Cohort 1 Participant
Next Steps
Leaders who are interested in participating in our next CELP cohort can apply here. The deadline to apply is November 27, 2024 at 5:00pm PT.
Leaders who are selected to advance to the next stage of the application process will be invited to a virtual interview. This interview will be an opportunity for candidates to ask any additional questions they may have about the program and what commitment entails, and it will give The Impact Center the opportunity to meet you, assess your readiness for the program, and to ensure that your expectations regarding participation are aligned with the program.
Following interviews, final offers to participate will be extended.
FAQ:
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The program is being developed and delivered by The Impact Center, a national leadership development nonprofit organization with deep experience working with organizations in the field of homelessness. The Impact Center is joined by the National Alliance to End Homelessness and the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness, whose leadership will guide and inform the curriculum. Additionally, this program is made possible by a grant by the State of California to the Regional Task Force on Homelessness.
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In the midst of heightened volatility and strong public opinions surrounding homelessness reduction efforts, California’s housing and homelessness leaders need to be able to drive messaging, shape media narratives, and bring in new voices amidst the political and community forums where dialogues and decisions are taking place. Furthermore, this must be a coordinated effort—each organization cannot disrupt harmful myths and tropes about homelessness alone.
In addition to these external challenges, the ongoing departure from solely charity-based approaches has led to a wider use of sophisticated, data-driven models. Leaders at the forefront face the challenge of aligning the capacity of their organizations with this approach. This challenge is compounded by increasingly complicated funding structures that require an understanding of different fields and integration of new expertise.
Leaders are experiencing increased pressure in an already high-stakes field—you need to connect with one another both to learn and to find camaraderie. The loneliness of leadership is exacerbated by the dire reality of this time, and these leaders need to lean on, learn from, and lead with one another—the only others who can truly understand what you are experiencing.
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This program is made possible through a grant by the State of California to the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness, which has contracted with The Impact Center for the design and delivery of CELP.
A program fee of $950 covers lodging and meals during the three program retreats and will be invoiced upon admission into the program.
Participants are responsible for their own transportation costs to and from the retreats.
Cohort 1 Participants
Kerry Abbott, Alameda County Health, Housing and Homelessness
Lisa Bates, Sacramento Steps Forward
Stephanie Caridad, NoHo Home Alliance
Kris Freed, The Impact Group
Carter Hewgley, LA County Chief Executive Office - Homeless Initiative
Tamera Kohler, Regional Task Force on Homelessness
Lahela Mattox, Regional Task Force on Homelessness
Omar Passons, City of San Jose
Helene Schneider, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
Mary Scott, Bakersfield Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative
Tanya Torno, Riverside County Housing and Workforce Solutions
Roxanne Wilson, Monterey County
“Loved it! Best leadership training I’ve participated in ever!“ - Cohort 1 Participant