Our communities are changing– demographics are shifting across multiple dimensions of diversity, and social trends are growing more complex. Incorporating diverse community voices to help shape the policies and practices guiding our philanthropic efforts, is key for organizations to stay relevant. Individual and organizational cultural competency is crucial as we look to grow philanthropic support. This session will create space for dialogue towards engaging diverse stakeholders for the good of our organizations and the broader communities we serve. We encourage you to bring other staff and key volunteers as the session is geared to nonprofit leaders of all levels and roles. Philanthropy is the ultimate expression of community bridge building towards bringing people together for good – join us to learn more!
Guest Speaker: Lynda Gonzales-Chavez
Senior Vice President/Chief Diversity Officer, YMCA of the USA
Lynda is responsible for leading the YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) strategic priority to ensure that all segments of society have access to and feel welcome at the Y. A key priority of this work is promoting an inclusive organizational culture that values diversity, strengthens inclusion and fosters community bridge-building. Lynda and her team are focused on organizationally embedding and operationalizing diversity and inclusion practices, building staff and volunteer cultural competencies to engage the most underserved communities and promoting collaborative strategies to ensure that Y leadership mirrors the communities Ys serve.