Celebrating Nonprofit Executive Directors in Their Leadership Acceleration Journey

The seven Executive Directors in the 2024/2025 cohort of the Nonprofit Net Leadership Acceleration Program experienced remarkable growth.

As Nonprofit Net concludes this year’s Leadership Acceleration Program (LAP), what emerged wasn’t simply a list of outcomes - but stories of transformation. Stories of leadership, grounded in confidence, clarity, and community.

Guided by Executive Coach Margo Kelly, the program's six coaches worked closely with seven exceptional Executive Directors over a focused, nine-month journey to enhance their leadership skills and achieve specific performance goals. With support from coaches and peers, the nonprofit Executive Directors in the program addressed core leadership challenges - mobilizing resources, strengthening governance, and aligning teams with mission.

Whether through visible milestones or behind-the-scenes shifts, each leader advanced from reactive management to strategic, purpose-driven leadership. And together, the cohort built a circle of support that empowered each Executive Director to step into their full potential, adopt the balcony view, and deliver on their performance challenge. 

Executive Directors and Coaches Participating in the 2024/2025 Nonprofit Net Leadership Acceleration Program

This second Leadership Acceleration Program cohort, which convened from September 2024 to June 2025, included nonprofit Executive Directors from the following organizations:

• Sharon Bryant – Foster Care Essentials

• Nikki Flionis – MissionSAFE

• Aaron Greiner – CultureHouse

• Jody Pongratz – Dedham School of Music

• Marieke Van Damme – History Cambridge

• Terry Witherell – First Literacy

• Bill Yelenak – Providers’ Council

As this year's program concludes, Nonprofit Net is proud to celebrate the remarkable growth of our Executive Directors and the lasting impact they are creating within their organizations and communities. We wish them and their organizations continued success and strength in the journey ahead.

Ready to take your leadership to the next level?  Applications for the next Leadership Acceleration Program open in late summer - just in time to kick off a transformative fall. Sign up to receive news and updates from NPN.