Mission: Latinos LEAD promotes more inclusive and effective civil society organizations by preparing and recruiting Latinos for nonprofit board leadership; helping nonprofit organizations to develop governing boards that reflect their constituents; and, collaborating with partners to increase ethnic diversity in nonprofit governance.
Latinos LEAD is a 501(c)(3) independent nonprofit organization that was founded in April 2017 following comprehensive strategic planning, industry research, and input from a national network of Latino leaders and nonprofit executives. This process informed the Latinos LEAD Theory of Change, which led to the development of three pilot programs:
Laying a foundation for successful recruitment and retention
During its demonstration phase (through 2022), Latinos LEAD is focusing on those nonprofits that have a high degree of impact on the Latino community, but are led by governing boards that do not reflect the Latino communities they serve. Targeted nonprofit sector fields include: Arts & Culture, Environment & Conservation, Health & Human Services, and K-12+ (after-school and school-based programming).
In September 2018, Latinos LEAD established a national Executive Advisory Council (EAC) of prominent leaders and experts in education, philanthropy, and the private sector. The EAC was instrumental in framing and achieving initial strategic goals. During 2018 and 2019, Latinos LEAD began implementing these pilot programs, began a brand awareness communications initiative, and launched the development of an extensive data management system that includes more than 12,000 individuals and organizations.
By early 2022, the founding board of directors had evolved to a more institutional growth team profile. Its newest members include Paola Alvarez, Vice President, Human Resources West Region at Hines; Geoff Green, CEO at the Santa Barbara City College Foundation; and Sabrina de Santiago, Policy and Research Director for Golden State Opportunity.
Latinos LEAD promotes more inclusive and effective civil society organizations by preparing and recruiting Latinos for nonprofit board leadership; helping nonprofit organizations to develop governing boards that reflect their constituents; and, collaborating with partners to increase ethnic diversity in nonprofit governance.
