The University of Georgia strengthens nonprofit leadership across the state and nation through the Executive Leadership Program for Nonprofit Organizations (ELPNO), a signature program of the UGA J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development.
Twenty-four nonprofit professionals from across Georgia, Wisconsin, Virginia and Connecticut graduated from the weeklong program, held Jan. 11-16 at the UGA campus in Athens. The experience is designed to help nonprofit leaders build practical skills that support their organizations and the communities they serve.
“Year after year, this program continues to expand the leadership capacity of practicing nonprofit leaders to strengthen their organizations and drive impact,” said Julie Meehan, UGA Fanning Institute public service faculty member. “Over the years, it has grown into a transformative experience that not only elevates individual leaders but also amplifies the effectiveness and reach of the nonprofit community.”
Since 2007, the UGA Fanning Institute has guided more than 300 nonprofit leaders representing over 200 organizations through this program, which focuses on key aspects of nonprofit leadership, including personal leadership development, nonprofit finance, strategic thinking and problem-solving.
In addition to technical content, the program emphasizes peer learning and connection. Participants represent a wide range of missions and challenges, and many say the chance to learn from one another is just as valuable as the curriculum itself. Trena Kennedy, CFO of Jewish Kids Group and a 2023 participant, said she appreciated hearing how leaders in different organizations navigate obstacles.
“All organizations are different and have different challenges, so it was nice to hear how they get through their specific challenges, and to hear that it’s possible to get through those challenges nonetheless,” she said.
For others, the experience highlighted shared struggles across the sector.
“My nonprofit is worldwide but unique to Georgia, so there is no one else that mirrors what I do. But by coming to this particular training made me aware of people in other organizations that we’re struggling with similar things,” said Katheryne Fields, Executive Director of the Georgia Rotary Student Program and 2025 participant.
2026 ELPNO graduates are:
Elizabeth Banks, Hope Atlanta
Stephen Barwick, Best Buddies in Georgia
Lawson Bauch, Kids First Family Fellowship Inc.
Rebecca Chambers, Special Operations Fund
Dawn Charleston-Green, Georgia CASA
Shannon Clark, Center for the Visually Impaired
Nick Deffley, Southeast Sustainability Directors Network
Kellie Glenn, Hope Atlanta
Hanah Goldberg, GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students
Kayla Heering, Jewish Fertility Foundation
Jennifer Jones, Apparo Academy
Tara Jones, Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition
Ellen Kinsey, the Warrior Alliance
Terrill McFarland, the Warrior Alliance
Dyonne Miles, MAAC Michael Montini, Avalon Action Alliance
Erin Mundy, Georgia Statewide AHEC Network Program Office
James Rankhorn, Georgia 2nd Amendment Inc.
Madison Sanders, Family Promise of Athens
Sharon Steele, Habitat for Humanity DeKalb
Lannia Stenz, Gilda’s Club Madison
Jennifer Tolman, Dignity Grows Inc.
Kari Viola-Brooke, Child Enrichment
Mary Wearn, Georgia Humanities
