Lead for Impact
Leadership Development Program
- Are you deeply committed to ending homelessness in Montgomery County?
- Do you feel frustrated by the challenges and setbacks we're facing and motived to find solutions that will get more people housed?
- Are you ready to step more fully into your leadership? Do you want a more confident voice and greater influence on decisions made within your organization and our county?
- Do you dream of having dedicated time and space to strengthen your leadership? And, better yet, alongside a trusted council of peers?
If this sounds like you, then we invite you to apply for Lead for Impact (LFI) - an interactive peer leadership development program dedicated to growing and supporting more impactful, adaptable, connected, and collaborative leadership across the Montgomery County Continuum of Care.
Over the course of six months, you will gain invaluable leadership insights and immediately put them into action to expand your leadership effectiveness and shape change in the County. You will do this work in community with a group of peers who share your vision of ending homelessness and are committed to supporting and challenging one another to up-level their leadership.
In 2024, 100% of LFI participants feel they strengthened their leadership skills, became more confident in their leadership, and feel more connected to a supportive community of peers thanks to the Lead for Impact Program.
What's Involved:
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In-Person Sessions
10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
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Virtual Meetings 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. |
| Thursday, May 15 Thursday, July 17 Thursday, October 16 |
Tuesday, June 17
Thursday, August 21
Thursday, September 18
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Three (3) one-on-one virtual coaching sessions (per-person) to offer personalized learning and application (1 hour each; to be scheduled). | ||
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Monthly small group meetings to receive the wisdom, support, and feedback of 2-3 peers (1 hour each, to be scheduled). | ||
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Monthly pre-work in the form of recorded video lessons and personal reflection and exercises, estimated 1 hours per month. |
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Completion of a 360 degree leadership profile to illuminate your skills and assets, as well as growth areas | ||
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Development and Advancement of a Leadership Project that will translate your vision for the County into action and stretch you to practice new leadership skills. | ||
We estimate the total time commitment for LFI is somewhere between 2 to 4 hours a week, including the time spent live (in our monthly group workshops, small group circles, and individual coaching sessions) and advancing your Leadership Project.
To end homelessness in Montgomery County, we need effective leadership throughout the Continuum of Care -- from our direct service providers to our executive officers, and across the private sector and County government. This program is for anyone who is hearing the call to leadership and is ready to do their part to create impactful and sustained change for our community.
If this sounds like you, please apply now! Your first step is to review these instructions on how to apply. Once you have prepared your application, submit it HERE .
Space is limited, and a selection process will be used to choose individuals who demonstrate a good fit for the program and will contribute to a generous and diverse program cohort. Applications must be received by Wednesday, April 2nd at 5 p.m. If you are selected to join the program, we will confirm your participation by Thursday, April 17th.
In the meantime, please place a hold on your calendar for the session dates and times listed above. Having your full participation throughout the program is essential, and your ability to attend all of the sessions will be considered in your acceptance to the program.
If you have any questions, please email Program Coordinator Liz Rich at [email protected] .
Lead for Impact Facilitators
Jen Lachman (she/her)
As a coach and facilitator, Jen Lachman Villar helps nonproft leaders and teams tap into the best in themselves so they can make a greater impact in our world. Over the past 15 years, she's had the privilege of coaching leaders who are championing some of the most important work of our time -- from ending homelessnes and food insecurity to advancing justice and equity for all.
Jen's coaching helps leaders at all levels harness their strengths, develop new skills, and respond effectively to the pressures of nonprofit leadership -- while caring for themselves and others in the process. She combines curiosity and humor with challenge and rigor to help leaders break through resistance and achieve meaningful, lasting results -- inside and out.
Prior to launching Lachman Consulting, Jen was the Executive Director of MAG (Mines Advisory Group) America, where she attempted to dodge the landmines (literally and figuratively!) that come with nonprofit leadership. Jen is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), a graduate of Georgetown University's Executive Certificate Program in Organizational Consulting and Change Leadership, and proud JMU Duke. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, reading, working out, and adventuring with her husband and two sons.
Maegan Scott (she/her)
Maegan Scott is an organizational change luminary who leads with a racial justice lens. She founded Wayfinding Partners to create an affirming space for people of color wishing to dismantle systems of oppression and make way for a reimagined, liberated society.
Since its founding, Wayfinding has blossomed into a team of seven full-time staff members and a cadre of more than twenty racial equity training specialists. Maegan's carefully curated team has partnered with over 30 nonprofit, philanthropic, and private sector organiations.
Some of her accomplishments include designing and launching Leadership Montgomery's Racial Equity Action Leadership (REAL) Inclusive cohort-based program and supporting the reconstitution of A Way Home America's board into one with a majority of youth with lived expertise of homelessness.
Maegan brings more than 15 years of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit to Wayfinding. Her approach to facilitating change is emergent, holistic, and healing centered. She is a Reiki practitioner who cultivates spaces where individuals' energetic, emotional, and physical selves are seen, heard, and respected.
Meagan has a bachelor's degree from American University, an executive certificate in nonprofit management from Georgetown University, and a master's in organization development from the Graziadio Business School of Pepperdine University. She resides in Washington, DC.
Lead for Impact Cohort Alumni
Lead for Impact Cohort Alumni
Kirk Baltmore | EveryMind
Corey Brandel | DHHS-Behavioral Health and Crisis Services
Lauren Carranza | Interfaith Works
Carmen Castro-Conroy | Housing Initiative Program
Harsimran Claire | Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless
Connor Hegel | SMYL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders)
Priscilla Lissik | The Coordinating Center
Niambi Powell | City of Rockville
Jen Schiller | Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless
Debra Wylie | Holy Cross Hospital
Endrias Afework | Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless
Oscar Coripuna | Interfaith Works-Housing Initiative Program
Kathryn Guzzey | Interfaith Works
Holly Harris | Shepherd's Table
Rita Hundley Harris | Housing Opportunities Commission of MC
Justin Huvelle | Housing Opportunities Commission of MC
Penelope Kwarikunda | Shepherd's Table
Farah Nageer-Kanthor | Nonprofit Montgomery
Dawit Mekonnen | Catholic Charities
K. Patricia Prather | Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless
Jerilin Mesa-Roberts | Sheppard Pratt
Olajumoke Rasak | Compass, Inc.
Kim Rowan | DHHS-BHCS Access to Behavioral Health
Sara Breidenstein | The Coordinating Center
Ana Chicas | DHHS Services to End and Prevent Homelessness
Patrick Costanzo | Pathways to Housing
Amanda (Mandy) Dalton | Society of St. Vincent of Paul
Jessica Diaz | Interfaith Works
Claudia Fofie | Stepping Stones Shelter
William Hegwood | CareerCatchers
Terence Hill | Interagency Commission on Homelessness
Sarah Lanzi | Cornerstones Montgomery
Katherine Meadows | EveryMind
Rebecca Pitney | DHHS Services to End and Prevent Homelessness
Raina Bates | DHHS SEPH
Ximena Boyes | DHHS Services to End and Prevent Homelessness (SEPH)
Kenneth Hall | The Coordinating Center
Ann Hamlin | Community Reach of Montgomery County
Charmayne Hawkes | Interfaith Works
Crystal Howard | DHHS SEPH Rapid Rehousing Program
Sheku Kef-Kamara | Pathways to Housing DC - Montgomery County
Paola Lopez | DHHS Children Youth and Family Services
Cecil Millen | Housing Initiative Partnership
Robyn Olivo | Community Member
James Slattery | EveryMind
Wendy Smith | Interfaith Works
Tinsae Adungna | Sheherd's Table
Unique Arnold | The National Center for Children and Families
Amera Davis | Services to End and Prevent Homelessness
Aden Drolsum | Montgomery County Collaboration Council
Nick Heynen | Bethesda Cares
Fatmata Kamara | Washington DC Veterans Administration Medical Center
Ola Junaid | EveryMind
Evan Langholt | EveryMind
Gina Mastromarino | Upper Montgomery Assistance Network (UMAN)
Shannon Matthews | Maryland Treatment Center, Inc.
Asha Maximore | Services to End and Prevent Homelessness
Chris Stephens | CareerCatchers
Kaila Swann | Interfaith Works
- Sara Breidenstein
- Ana Chicas
- Patrick Costanzo
- Amanda (Mandy) Dalton
- Jessica Diaz
- Claudia Fofie
- Terence Hill
- William Hegwood
- Sarah Lanzi
- Katherine Meadows
- Rebecca Pitney
- Ann Hamlin
- Cecil Millen
- Charmayne Hawkes
- Crystal Howard
- James Slattery
- Kenneth Hall
- Paola Lopez
- Raina Bates
- Robyn Olivo
- Sheku Kef-Kamara
- Wendy Smith
- Ximena Boyles
Testimonials
What past participants are saying about Lead for Impact . . .
"This opportunity has truly transfored me. I have nevery been as confident in my voice as I am now.""This leadership training really helped me grow as a leader. It helped me communicate better and gave me confidence to sit up and articulate my ideas and thoughts clearly. It showed me my leadership style and helped me to work better with others. I learned a whole lot, and I am truly sad it's over."
"Lead for Impact has helped me see myself as a valuable member of a community of people working towards the same goal, rather than an individual fighting against a daunting system"
"I love everything about Lead for Impact. I gained a lot of self-awareness throught LFI, and made some life-long acquiantances I know I can count on to help me in this fight to end homelessness."
Lead for Impact Video Testimonial
Debra Wylie (she/her)
Program Coordinator
Holy Cross Hospital
See video transcript
Well one thing about the program when each and everyone of us came, I think no one knew what to expect. And within every person on the earth when you are born, you are born with certain gifts. I honestly believe that. And sometimes your gifts can become overshadowed by others. The program empowered us to burst loose and release our true leadership skill set that we really had. And we were able to talk about where we felt our weaknesses were. And then the program allowed us to step out of that zone, look at where you feel what you were missing within your leadership skills and empower you to bring that into commission where you could really shine and be the person you were always meant to be without feeling that you were being judged. Everybody’s skill set and where they are mentally is a little bit different. But everybody came to the table with an open mind and because we had an open mind we were able to absorb the program even more so and really kind of think about where you are and what you are doing. You said “Oh” like a little lighbulb goes off because you go away and think about it what you talked about and what someone said. Someone said something that really woke you up. The program is “Wake up, wake up. You can do this.” The program helps you to examine yourself.
Jen Schiller (she/her)
Chief Programs Officer
Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless
"Lead for impact was an amazing opportunity to gain new insights and have challenging conversations with a group of incredibly talented people. I really appreciated that when things weren't my area of genius, there were other leaders in the group who supported me in helping achieve whatever challenges I was working on. I am so thankful to DHHS for the opportunity to grow as a leader."
Priscilla Lissik (she/her)
Program Director
The Coordinating Center
"This process has shown me a side of myself that other people have seen for a while. It gave me permission to be confident in who I am as a leader. And the sense of community and sharing that was developed through this program--I have never seen it in any program like this I've been through. I have already taken some leaps that I wanted to take in my leadership, and I'm ready to take more."
LFI Info Session Recording
Wednesday, March 19 at 12pm
