2019-2020 Annual Report
Leading is challenging even in the best of times. In a time of urgent, interconnected crises — racial injustice, a pandemic, the economy — the work of leading can feel nothing short of overwhelming. At Coro, we’re lucky to support our program participants — leaders from every background, age, and sector — as they develop the skills they need to rise to the challenges of our time.
Coro’s through line, from our founding in 1942 to 2020, is a recognition that in order to strengthen and safeguard democracy we must prepare leaders to tackle our most pressing challenges with integrity and a dedication to the common good.
This moment presents an opportunity for leaders to increase their skills and renew their commitment to inquiry, inclusivity, compassion, perseverance, and adaptability. And that’s why we’re here.
Thanks to you, even more people received transformative Coro training this year. We pivoted and adapted our programs to a virtual model, delivering meaningful leadership development education at a time when so many are seeking support, connection, and a path forward.
Thank you for forging this path with us!
With gratitude,
Laney Whitcanack
Chief Executive Officer & Coro Alumna
Marianna Pisano
Board Chair & Coro Alumna
A New Impact Statement for a New Era
Coro trains, supports, and connects leaders to foster a thriving democracy and tackle society’s biggest challenges together.
Leading for Impact
In 2019-20 thanks to the support of the incredible Coro network, we served
a record 1,807 people
through our leadership development programs and workshops.
85%
of them reported tangible increases in their leadership skills.
“[Coro’s Fellows Program] doesn’t tell you who you are and where you are meant to go. Instead, you are constantly thrown into challenging situations where your personal determination, resilience, and curiosity are brought to the forefront … It is an intense, eye-opening experience that empowers you to figure out which values you align with and how to navigate this world with those values intact.”
— Katherine Stubbs, Fellows Program in Public Affairs Class of 2020
Responding to COVID-19
In early March, to comply with public health protocols and ensure the safety of our participants, staff, and community, Coro adapted our ongoing programs to a virtual model.
- We pivoted our program structure to deliver high-quality online leadership development sessions, and created new opportunities to come together in the virtual space, offering a suite of online Leadership Labs and a six-session Adaptive Leadership Circle to help people boost capacity and skills in this new era.
- Our Virtual Spring Gathering, and other cohort gatherings and celebrations, moved online to create opportunities for socializing, resource-sharing, and community.
“I drew on so many of my Coro tools to rapidly respond to the pandemic and continually pivot and adapt to an ever-changing situation …. Thank you, Coro, for giving me the tools to go from ideas to action and allowing me to help my community emerge from this crisis more connected and resilient.”
— Sydney Saubestre, Fellows Program Alumna
Reaffirming our Commitment to Equity and Racial Justice
Creating programs that support a thriving democracy is at the core of our mission. And to create a truly thriving democracy, we must acknowledge and address systemic racism. Coro is committed to deepening our anti-racism work through:
- Evolving our lifelong Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) work, for our team, board, and program participants.
- Elevating DEIB and anti-racism practices as crucial leadership competencies.
- Consciously creating meaningful opportunities for the Coro community to connect and share anti-racism resources, support, advocacy, and ideas.
Join the Conversation
Coro’s approach to leadership is all about diverse perspectives and lived experiences — and that makes for an impressive cross-sector network of professionals with a depth and breadth of experience. We launched Coro Connect, a networking platform that helps Coro alums from every program share information and open doors for one another in the real world.
Visit the Leadership and Racial Justice Group on Coro Connect to share anti-racism resources and conversations with other alums.
Helping Democracy Thrive
Our esteemed Fellows Program in Public Affairs trains the next generation of civic leaders over the course of an intensive nine-month, full-time leadership program.
The Fellows Class of 2020:
Conducted 115 interviews with sector leaders.
55 internship placements around the Bay Area
Gained 50+ leadership tools for self-awareness, critical thinking, communication, and managing group process.
Engaged in 15 workshops on topics such as negotiations, understanding the basics of organizational finance, and professional narrative.
Led and completed 4 Focus Weeks dedicated to public finance, communications, state government, and healthcare.
100% expanded their professional networks of people interested in improving organizations, communities and society.
91% better understand how to initiate and organize bringing people together, and inspire high-performing teams and coalitions.
91% feel more comfortable giving and receiving feedback as a tool for growth.
91% more actively seek and consider diverse perspectives and information.
“I have learned the value of relationship-oriented leadership as a means to bolster action. The opportunity to exist in a cohort of thoughtful, passionate, and curious people that treasured constructive feedback helped me understand the moments when my leadership style was effective and the moments when it was not.”
— Jacqueline Schaeffer, Fellows Program in Public Affairs, Class of 2020
Elevating Youth Voices
Exploring Leadership and District Youth Leadership Academies (serving Districts 1, 7, and 11, in partnership with the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Their Families), delivered transformational leadership education to teens, challenging them to engage with their communities and with each other.
More than 80% of participants, in three distinct cohorts, increased in confidence and empowered professionalism, and feel better equipped to initiate positive change in their schools and communities.
In partnership with the City and County of San Francisco, the Human Rights Commission, Collective Impact, and JCYC, Coro trained 70 college-aged Opportunities for All (OFA) Fellows. OFA is Mayor Breed’s initiative to connect young people of all backgrounds to employment, job training, and mentorship opportunities. Our Fellows worked across the city this summer to support 1,200 high school youth.
“Coro has quite literally changed my life and changed me as a person. Every second of the 7 weeks was a learning experience. … There were ups and downs, and often I was beyond exhausted when I got home late at night. Yet, I would recommend the program to every single person I know because if everyone got the opportunity for this kind of learning the world would be a much better place.”
— Manasvi Lodha, 2019 Exploring Leadership Youth Fellow
“The Coro Exploring Leadership program has been an experience beyond compare. The level of love that goes into what these people do can’t be matched. This program opened my eyes to new job opportunities that I plan on pursuing in the near future.”
— Hassan Johnson, 2020 Exploring Leadership Youth Fellow
Women in Leadership
We brought together cross-sector professionals from across the Bay Area to create a pipeline of diverse, empowered women leaders.
100% of recent participants increased essential leadership skills, confidence, and capacity to collaborate across differences.
We developed a new, virtual program design, launching this fall, focused on critical pillars of our community — education, healthcare, housing, and governance — that need to be strengthened as we work to restore a sense of equilibrium during and after COVID-19.
“Participating in Coro’s Women in Leadership program was an invaluable experience. Not only did it provide me with useful tools and broader leadership skills … but it connected me with an amazing group of women-identifying professionals working to make the Bay Area a better and more equitable place.”
— Morgan Chow, Women in Leadership Alumna
“During the Coro Women in Leadership training I first declared my intention to run for San Francisco City College Board. Running for office is difficult — doing so as a woman adds new dimensions of isolation and self-doubt. As a young Muslim woman of color running for office, I don’t see many elected officials like me. …. Coro helped build my confidence and provided me with an amazing support structure of like-minded women to help me achieve my goals.”
— Aliya Chisti, Women in Leadership Alumna
Empowering Community Leaders
Leadership Rohnert Park
In partnership with the City of Rohnert Park, we trained a cohort of engaged civic leaders to work together to elevate community voices across sectors, backgrounds, and neighborhoods.
95% increased their capacity to be a community leader and initiate positive change.
100% increased connections to their fellow residents and coworkers.
95% increased understanding of key issues facing the city.
“The values, tools, experiences, and friendships I gained here are invaluable. I walked in scared, voiceless and feeling alone. I walked out empowered. Coro helped me find my voice.”
— Tiffany Cazares, Leadership Rohnert Park Alumna
Resilient San Francisco
In partnership with the Neighborhood Empowerment Network, the Office of Resilience and Capital Planning, and the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, we launched a network of community leaders equipped to activate their neighborhoods and work together to create solutions for the common good.
We created an online toolkit specifically designed to help community volunteers safely organize and respond to COVID-19.
Tackling Big Challenges Together
Water Solutions Network
We’re working in partnership with the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation to build a network of rising water leaders equipped to move toward a sustainable water future.
“The Water Solutions Network opened my eyes to a larger and more complex set of water resources issues … Even though I have been working in this field for more than 20 years, I had been blind to certain aspects of our history and management of the system, which exacerbated social inequities and injustices …. [Now] I can see my own work transforming in meaningful ways that will lay the foundation for a more civil and just society in California.”
— Cindy Tejeda, Water Solutions Network Alumna
100% reported improved ability to understand water management in an integrated fashion and collaborate with those upstream and downstream.
Human Trafficking Leadership Academy
Bringing cross-sector and survivor leaders to the table to combat human trafficking—sharing expertise and creating change nationally. In partnership with the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center
Our fourth class developed recommendations that will help state and local governments help survivors of trafficking reach financial stability.
100% agreed that the program empowers emerging leaders with leadership skills and training to lead themselves and their communities forward.
86% say the program cultivated a thriving leadership network of survivors and anti-trafficking professionals that works across organizational and geographic boundaries.
Workforce Leadership Network
Thanks to seed funding from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, and in partnership with our sister center, Coro Southern California, we launched a statewide network dedicated to preparing workforce professionals to support and serve vulnerable workers, act from a systems perspective, and promote sustainable job creation in California.
Strengthening Vital Institutions
Our partnerships with the University of California and the Federal Executive Board empowered leaders in higher education and the federal government to navigate tremendous challenges, strengthening the capacity of vital public institutions.
“This has been such an amazing experience of learning — and the best one yet in my 14 years of Federal Service.”
— Georgette Cayabyab-Clark, Coro-Federal Executive Board Leadership Development Program Alumna.
Financials*
*Pre-audit numbers.
**Earned revenue includes training contracts, project fees, Women in Leadership tuition, etc.
**Earned revenue includes training contracts, project fees, Women in Leadership tuition, etc.
Thank You
Click a category to learn more about us.
“Since my first encounters with Coro’s leadership training and Fellows Program, I saw the work as critical to broadening the focus — of elected leaders, and those in business, nonprofits, and government service — when it comes to solving problems with consequences that clearly sweep across sectors. My later service on the Coro Board only strengthened that conviction.
I give support to Coro as my way of assuring the development of people with the broad vision and sure skills to lead us out of practical, economic, and social problems we cannot even envision today.”
