Leadership Academy: Alumni Association

Greenlining Academy Alumni Association (GAAA)

MISSION STATEMENT

The Greenlining Institute is dedicated to empowering communities of color and other disadvantaged groups through multi-ethnic leadership development.  Continuing a relationship between alumni and the Greenlining Institute is imperative to the long-term vitality of the Greenlining Institute and its vision.  The GAAA strives to enhance the Academy alumni network and support the development and success of Academy programs, including but not limited to the Fellowship, Summer Associate and Work-Studyprograms.

ALUMNI BOARD MEMBERS

Trina Villanueva ‘98, Chair

Lindsay Imai ‘03, Vice-Chair

Erik Paulino ‘96, Treasurer

Kristina Alagar, ’02, Secretary

Monique Chavoya, ‘04

Nonya Collier ‘06

Mark Rutledge ‘07

PROGRAMS

The Alumni Board was formed in May 2001 and since then the board has launched the following initiatives to support the leadership development of GAAA members:

Mentorship Program

Launched in January 2007, the GAAA mentorship program pairs current Greenlining Fellows with alumni to serve as resource for their success in the fellowship and for their development of post-fellowship goals.  The mentorship program also provides a great opportunity for alumni to remain involved in the Academy as it continues to grow and graduate more participants.

Recruitment for the Academy

By volunteering to help recruit candidates for the Academy, alumni have helped broaden the diversity and demographic reach of the Academy.  Alumni are encouraged to promote the Greenlining Academy within their respective college and graduate alumni groups as well as their professional and personal networks.

Fund Development

When alumni give financially to Greenlining, they demonstrate that those who best know Greenlining, value its continued work.   Such support is critical to Greenlining’s ability to fundraise from foundations and corporations.  As part of its role in strengthening the Greenlining Academy, the GAAA regularly asks alumni to support the Academy and its programs.  Our goal is to increase the number of alums that actively participate in the growth of the Academy, regardless of the amount donated. 

New Greenlining Website/Alumni Webpage

The Board has been working with Greenlining staff on revamping the alumni webpage on the new Greenlining website.  We are developing a new site that will allow for alumni to update their contact information, find other alums in their region or field of interest and get updated information about alumni activities, events and programs. 

Professional Development Scholarship Fund

The Scholarship fund was launched in February 2008.  The Scholarship fund provides small grants to alumni to enable them to attend trainings, conferences or other events that continue their professional development. Qualifying trainings focus on management, technical and/or leadership skills that contribute meaningfully to the applicant’s professional growth. 

The grants are limited to $400 and can be used for training costs and travel costs.  Click here for the application.  For more information, please email greenliningscholarship@yahoo.com.

Annual Economic Summit

Every year, GAAA hosts two events for alumni at Greenlining’s Annual Economic Summit: a happy-hour mixer and the GAAA Annual Meeting.  These are the most well attended of all of GAAA’s events and are an opportunity to network, learn the latest about the Greenlining Academy and give feedback to the GAAA. 

GAAA assists alumni with financial assistance to help cover travel, hotel and registration costs.  To apply for financial assistance for the upcoming Annual Economic Summit, please fill out the Professional Development Scholarship Fund application (above).  Costs of up to $400 will be covered for travel to the conference.  The Greenlining Institute waives registration costs and provides hotel rooms for alumni to share. 

For more information on any of these programs and activities, please contact members of the Alumni Board:

Trina Villanueva – trina_villanueva@hotmail.com

Lindsay Imai – lindsay_imai@yahoo.com

Nonya Collier -- nonieco@yahoo.com