Meet Catalyst Collective Cohort 2

ProInspire Announces the 2023-2024 Catalyst Collective Cohort

Our community for executives of color grows. We’re thrilled to officially announce Catalyst Collective Cohort 2, drawn from our continued partnership with Kresge Foundation’s Arts and Culture & Human Services grantees! Through the ProInspire Catalyst Collective, these 16 senior leaders–all women of color–embark on a 12-month journey anchored in self-care, community care, and racial equity. Please join us in welcoming the members of Catalyst Collective Cohort 2 below.

The Catalyst Collective is a community of practice designed to support BIPOC leaders as they navigate the professional and structural challenges that leading nonprofit organizations often create. Our community of practice prioritizes holistic well-being, shifting organizational culture, and sustainability. Leaders also create meaningful connections and build shared power to advocate for tangible changes that will foster a more supportive and sustainable experience for BIPOC leaders.

Program Intentions

The vision behind Catalyst Collective is to create a space where leaders can show up fully and change decision making power within the social sector by bringing the dreams, desires, and self-determination of leaders of color to the forefront. Through virtual convenings and collaboration, Catalyst Collective will:

• Provide opportunities for leaders to practice prioritizing their well-being and discover ways to model community-care in their organizations
• Support leaders with understanding how their identity, in particular racial identity, informs their leadership approach and needs
• Leaders build trusting and meaningful connections with other BIPOC leaders in the sector
• Help leaders with building technical and adaptive strategies to accelerate race equity within their organizations

Meet the Cohort

Alia Harvey-Quinn
Founder & Executive Director, FORCE Detroit

Dawn Wells-Clyburn
Executive Director, PUSH Buffalo

Elizabeth Dorante
VP of Programs, Hispanic Unity of Florida

Esther Shin
President, Urban Strategies, Inc.

Evelyn Burnett
Co-Founder & CEO, ThirdSpace Action Lab and ThirdSpace Reading Room

Gina Lyles
Founder & Executive Director, The Hive

Gloria Perez
CEO, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota

Jessica Paz-Cedillos
Co-Executive Director, School of Arts & Culture

Kenia Morales
Chief of Staff, Equis

Maya Minhas
Director of Cultural Organizing and Partnerships, The League

Mia Harnos
Chief Operating Officer, Wayne Metro Community Action Agency

Michele Harper
Director of Race Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Evident Change

Molly Kaufman
Co-Founder & Executive Director, University of Orange

Nadia Elokdah
VP & Director of Programs, Grantmakers in the Arts

Naomi Walker
Vice President, Economic Policy Institute

Ruthie Dineen
Executive Director, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts