Meet a Member of Our Board
Each year, CNE invites two new Board Academy graduates to participate in the Board Fellows program. Board Fellows have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have gained and inspire CNE’s board with a fresh perspective on the organization and its governance.
Meet Selena Cozart. She is one of twenty-four graduates of the Board Academy Class of 2019 and one of our new Fellows. Selena is an independent facilitator and trainer engaging with UVa. around issues of strategic planning, team building, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT CHARLOTTESVILLE?
I like that there is a local vibe. A lot of people value local community, activities, entertainment, restaurants, you name it. That is important to me in a town that is also transient in a lot of ways.
WHAT WAS THE MOST INTERESTING THING YOU LEARNED DURING BOARD ACADEMY?
Learning about the Fundraising Cycle was the most interesting because Cindy’s presentation really demystified the responsibilities of [a] board by breaking them down into parts or phases. We learned to see the “Ask” as part of the bigger picture in such a way that it was no longer this looming thing that “had to get done.”
HOW DO YOU THINK NONPROFITS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES STRONGER?
Nonprofits can contribute to making communities stronger by doing the hard work of transforming the organizational lens so that the voice and participation of the community being served is a vital part of the vision and decisions that affect that community.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR GOALS FOR YOUR TIME AS A BOARD FELLOW?
My main goal is to participate with a high functioning board and learn the skills, actions, and mindsets that contribute to that high function. I want to be able to translate this for other boards that I will work with in the future.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT HANGING OUT WITH YOUR BOARD COLLEAGUES?
I really like to work out, cook, and knit (not at the same time, though!).
Stay tuned for upcoming newsletters introducing more of CNE’s new board members. And be sure to take a peek at our Board Opportunities page to learn about local organizations that are looking to bring on new board members.
If you are interested in learning more about CNE Board Academy, please contact Raquel Suarez at rsuarez@thecne.org.