Q&A Spotlight with Community Council Member Rebecca Alvarez

Earlier this week one of YNPN San Diego's Advisory Board Co-Chairs (Mariel Berry) had the opportunity to talk with Rebecca Alvarez, one of our Community Council members to ask her a few questions and learn about what motivates her to be part of the San Diego non-profit community.

Mariel Berry: What is your current role in the nonprofit community?

Rebecca Alvarez: I am Executive Director and one of the founders of NP Strategies, a nonprofit strategy consulting organization here in San Diego. I'm also on YNPN's Community Council and a volunteer at my son's school.

MB: How did you come to be involved with nonprofits?

RA: I have been involved with nonprofits as a volunteer since my youth, but professionally I first became involved when I was doing management consulting in the for-profit sector. One of my clients (for a merger/acquisition project) was a large ($150 million) nonprofit in Washington D.C. It was a very interesting/challenging project and peaked my interest in the nonprofit sector. Working with San Diego nonprofits began when I made a career transition from the for-profit to nonprofit sector and began as the founding ED of NP Strategies.

MB: What motivated you to get involved with YNPN San Diego and their Community Council?

RA: I think its a great organization and plays an important role building a community/network of emerging sector leaders. I see it as one of the "infrastructure" organizations that plays a role in strengthening the nonprofit sector overall, and that is something I'm passionate about.

MB: How do you see YNPN San Diego impacting the nonprofit community?

RA: See above -- how I see it impacting the community is the reason I got involved -- connecting leaders with future leaders, future leaders with one another [etc.]....Also the listserve is a great resource because it serves as a central place for sharing information about what's going on in the sector.

MB: What advice would you give to emerging young professionals in the nonprofit sector?

RA:Don't focus your learning on what is specific to nonprofits -- there is plenty to learn there, but a LOT can also be learned about just general management, leadership and strategy -- topics that are not unique to the sector.

MB: Is there anything else that you would like to share about the YNPN San Diego network or the San Diego nonprofit community?

RA: Keep up the great work!

Thanks for the great words and unique perspective you have shared with us, Rebecca. We are lucky to have your experience and positive attitude cheering us on!

Signing off,

YNPNSD

Board Member Spotlight: Mariel Berry

What are your roles within the nonprofit community (staff, volunteer, philanthropist, etc.)? Currently, I work at San Diego State University as the Associate Director of Development for the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts. I spend most of my volunteer time with YNPN San Diego. I am about to start as a new volunteer with the Hearts & Hands Doula Program at UCSD Medical Center, assisting and supporting women during childbirth. I've also spent significant time volunteering as a coach for Girls on the Run, and as an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow at Volunteer San Diego.

Tell us about what you’re currently involved with in YNPN San Diego. I sit on the Advisory Board and serve as the Secretary on our Executive Committee. I co-chair the Partnerships Committee and help lead our Community Council, a group of tenured nonprofit leaders that help support the Advisory Board and launch of new YNPN programs. I've also been very involved with shaping YNPN's new Mentorship Program.

What advice would you give emerging leaders who are interested in the nonprofit sector? Carry confidence in what you bring to the table-- your skills, abilities and opinions. Don't be afraid to get involved, especially if you're passionate about the cause. Getting involved, no matter what your role, will benefit and help make change in our community.

Just for fun – what’s the best joke you’ve ever heard? Hmm. This is a tough one.... It's actually more of a riddle but here goes---"Railroad crossing without any cars, can you spell that without any cars." My Dad stumped me for a solid day with this one when I was little! I still enjoy sharing it with new people...and stumping them! :)

YNPNSD Welcomes the Community Council

On January 27th, YNPN San Diego launched its very first Community Council comprised of 12 seasoned nonprofit professional leaders that will help guide YNPN’s development and growth. These seasoned leaders will lend experience and guidance to the Advisory Board and YNPN members, connect YNPN San Diego with community resources and advocate for the needs and interests of young professionals in the sector.

We had a great group in attendance at the first meeting last month held at The San Diego Foundation, despite the horrible rainy weather. As a group, we reviewed YNPN San Diego’s organizational history, vision and priorities and discussed Council expectations and objectives.

One of the Community Council’s first priorities will be the development and implementation of a new YNPNSD Mentorship Program, one of the priorities outlined by the YNPN San Diego membership. Council members will offer guidance, best practices and firsthand knowledge about what makes a successful mentorship program and how we can best serve the YNPN member community with rewarding mentorship.

The YNPN San Diego Community Council will meet quarterly at locations throughout San Diego. For more information about this group and its members, please visit http://www.ynpnsandiego.org/communitycouncil.html

Keep an eye out for more Community Council and Mentorship Program updates throughout the year!