Please click on the speaker names and topics below to download a copy of each presentation.
DeShele Dorsey, Cross-Sector Collaboration
@DeSheleOnImpact
ddorsey@changingourworld.com
Rob Fazio, Leadership and Resiliency
@Rob_Fazio
rob.facio@lri.com
John Fernandez, Life by Design
@BestDesserts
john@daystardesserts.com
Anitra Watson from Project Homes shares her intention to create a better Richmond, as part of the Purple Martins project.
Purple Martins take flight! Hundreds of Richmond leaders gather to write down their intentions for a better Richmond, as part of an art installation that will help beautify the city.
“If you just take what you get, you’’ll never get what you want.”
John Fernandez is a dynamic leader who has worked tirelessly to build Daystar Desserts. He began to see his dream of Daystar Desserts come true while studying at the famed Culinary Institute of America. He most recently won the award for Small Business Person of the Year for the state of Virginia. John’s message to the audience of leaders was to set clear goals and take action. Having read about 750 books on business and leadership and self-improvement, his presentation demonstrated the link between our personal and professional lives.
Here are a few lessons that John taught us:
“I want to live in a world where every child has the chance to fly.”
Reggie Gordon, CEO of American Red Cross-Virginia Region, shares his vision for the change he wants to see in Richmond, as a contribution to the Purple Martin Project.
Our third local leadership profile was Alicia Zatcoff - Sustainability Manager, City of Richmond.
When asked about her definition of success, Alicia said that it is being able to develop relationships and collaborate well. She tries to approach potential partners with the question “how can I help them?” not just what’s in it for her or the city.
KC McGurren, CEO of Earthcraft Virginia was our second local leadership profile. She told us how she got the job by being in “the right place at the right time.” Over the years, one lesson she’s learned is how important it is to be herself, which is diffcult to do as a young nonprofit professional. Another lesson that she learned was from her board: to cultivate a positive work environment because relationships are get the work done.
Dr. Rob Fazio is the founder and President of Hold The Door For Others, a September 11th inspired nonprofit organization. He talked about leadership, resiliency and why Emotional Intelligence is such an important quality in successfully collaborating with others.
He left us with these wise words to lead by:
“1-2-3, F-B-G”
1. Fall forward
2. Build before you need it
3. Grow
Our first local leadership profile was Ron Stallings, President and Owner of Walker Row Partnership. Ron’s work includes revitalizing the Hippodrome Theatre located in Jackson Ward @HippodromeRVA. He spoke about his vision for Jackson Ward to become the new downtown entertainment destination for Richmonders, giving us all “something more to do than just eat.”
When asked about his biggest collaborative leadership lesson, Ron told us:
“You can’t learn anything with your mouth open.”
Photo by @LISC_VA
Our first speaker for the day, DeShele Dorsey from Changing Our World @FundraiseOnline shared insight about cross-sector collaboration and community building.
Here, she answers a question about changes happening within corporate volunteerism, offering ideas about skills-based opportunities and virtual service.
