2020-2021 Annual Report
Uncertainty may be the new normal, but the value of good leadership endures. That’s why, for almost 80 years, Coro has empowered civic-minded and collaborative leaders.
Challenging times present an opportunity for all of us to grow our leadership skills, increase our impact, and commit to inquiry, inclusivity, compassion, perseverance, and adaptability. That’s why Coro is here — and that’s why we count on your support and engagement.
Thanks to our alums and supporters, Coro is evolving, expanding, and delivering essential leadership development education — at a time when leaders at every level are seeking support, connection, and a path forward.
Thank you for supporting this work!
With gratitude,
Laney Whitcanack
Chief Executive Officer & Coro Alumna
Marianna Pisano
Board Chair & Coro Alumna
Coro’s mission is to train, support, and connect leaders to foster a thriving democracy and tackle society’s biggest challenges together.
Coro programs focus on 6 key leadership competencies: self-awareness, critical thinking, communication, inclusion, collaboration, and empowered professionalism.
Leading for Impact
“I applied to be a Fellow in Public Affairs so that I could build my repertoire of tools to contribute to building a more equitable society, learn to adapt to new challenges, and gain cross-sectoral experience. I got exactly what I wanted — and more importantly, I grew as a person. I am leaving Coro as a leader who is guided by curiosity, grounded in self awareness, and comfortable showing compassion.”
— Eddie Whitfield, Fellows Program in Public Affairs Class of 2021
Training, Support & Connection
Meeting the Moment
“I have always been civic-minded and in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit San Francisco, I felt the need to give back to my local community … Coro’s Resilient San Francisco Leadership Academy helped me recognize my strengths and love for bringing people together and cultivating strong community ties. The Coro program and the Coro network are extensive and key levers for empowering me to do more for my communities.”
— Michelle Teng, Resilient San Francisco Alumna
In response to COVID-19, Coro adapted our programs and workshops to a virtual model. Now, we’re rolling out a hybrid learning model — combining online learning with in-person gatherings in accordance with public health guidelines.
We reaffirmed our ongoing commitment to elevating equity and racial justice as crucial 21st century leadership competencies, collaborating with Coro Centers nationwide to deepen our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) work.
Connecting Our Community
Hundreds of alums are active on Coro Connect, our thriving online resource exclusively for Coro alums to share job, volunteer, and mentorship opportunities.
Strengthening Democracy
Fellows Program in Public Affairs
Coro offers 12 Fellows each year the experience of a lifetime, accelerating the trajectories of bright and promising leaders. 100% of our most recent class of Fellows increased essential leadership skills and gained vital field experience across sectors.
“The experiences I had as a Coro Fellow have given me a foundation I could never have developed otherwise. The exposure to a variety of workplace environments and sectors not only gave me a base understanding that allowed me to ask better questions about the world around me, but Coro also gave me an opportunity to practice modes of inquiry that I’d never focused on before and apply them to myself….. I’m less reactive and more curious as a result of Coro.”
— Mara Hoplamazian, Fellows Program in Public Affairs Class of 2021
Women in Leadership
More than 225 cross-sector professionals have graduated from our relaunched Women in Leadership program. They’re leading and making positive change in wide-ranging institutions across the Bay Area.
Three Women in Leadership alumnae were elected to local office in 2020! Connie Chan (San Francisco Board of Supervisors), Aliya Chisti (San Francisco Community College Board), and Maika Llorens Gulati (San Rafael City Council) are all recent WIL grads.
“The Women in Leadership program introduced me to a cohort of professional women with whom I can conspire to create change. There’s something incredibly profound about cohort learning with folks from across industries and experiences who see value in building connections for our collective success. …. This is what it means to create equitable access to social capital. … There aren’t many programs like this and it’s why I continue to return as a Coro participant, across programs.”
— Naima McQueen, Alumna, Fellows Program in Public Affairs and Women in Leadership
Elevating Youth Voices
We expanded our programming to support youth and youth development professionals, ensuring that tomorrow’s leaders get the skills they need to create positive change. Exploring Leadership offers Youth Fellows from across the Bay Area a transformative, full-time summer learning experience. District Youth Leadership Academies deliver neighborhood-based civic engagement training in San Francisco’s Districts 1 and 7.
New partnerships with Summer Search and Generation Thrive (a partnership with the Golden State Warriors and Kaiser Permanente), and an ongoing partnership with San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s Opportunities for All program, expanded our reach and brought Coro training to more rising leaders across the region.
“Coro has made me so much more confident in myself, my voice, and my work. I value my voice, I know that I can contribute good ideas and … I now am able to speak up way more than before.”
— Samantha Ma, Exploring Leadership Youth Fellow
“Coro truly changed my professional trajectory …. It prepared me with the right tools and frame of mind to lead educational change. I feel grateful for the space to come together with other people making an impact in education.”
— Rene Galvez, Generation Thrive Leadership Network Alumna
Resilient San Francisco focused on training neighborhood leaders to support the City’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts; delivered in partnership with the Neighborhood Empowerment Network and the Office of Resilience and Capital Planning.
This year, we developed a new civic program and recruited a fantastic slate of Lead Bay Area Fellows. The 8-month fellowship program for mid-career community leaders launched in September 2021, with a focus on making the Bay Area a more equitable place. Stay tuned!
Leadership Rohnert Park, our partnership with the City of Rohnert Park, helps community leaders increase civic knowledge and capacity. Five program alums have already gone on to elected office, commission, committee, or board service, including Vice Mayor Jackie Elward.
Strengthening 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.
The Coro-University of California Women’s Initiative now boasts more than 600 graduates. Our UC partner says the retention rate for staff and faculty who have completed the program is over 95%.
Tackling Big Challenges Together
Water Solutions Network
We’re building and growing a network of rising water leaders equipped to move California toward a sustainable water future.
An article in Grist magazine highlighted the Water Solutions Network’s collaborative model as a prime example of bringing stakeholders together for better water management and outcomes.
Human Trafficking Leadership Academy
Bringing cross-sector and survivor leaders to the table to combat human trafficking — sharing expertise and creating change nationally. A partnership with the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center.
Workforce Leadership Network
In partnership with 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.
Financials 2020 – 2021*
*Pre-audit numbers.
**Earned revenue includes training contracts, project fees, Women in Leadership tuition, etc.
Thank You
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