NLC Institute 2011: Life Entrepreneurship Program

The New Leaders Council of San Diego (NLC) held its first 2011 Institute session on the weekend of January 22nd and 23rd, 2011.

The new fellowship class was introduced to the “Life Entrepreneurship Program” (ELP) and spent 2 days investigating their strengths, values, and purposes. Afterwards, each fellow created their own core “mission statement” for their life and begin the process of putting together their own Entrepreneurial Life Plan.

Before moving into in depth skills training in future sessions, fellows examine what’s actually important to them, to explore and reinforce their commitment to progressive values. The ELP also serves an important function in leadership development, which is a primary goal of the NLC. The ELP is a mechanism for individuals to take concrete planning steps to advance their own careers, so that they can be in positions of influence to make change in their communities.

The ELP program is developed by New Mountain Ventures, and is based on the book “Life Entrepreneurs.” This weekend’s training was facilitated by Luke Klipp, a fomer co-director of the NLC in San Francisco and Debi Spindelman, a 2010 NLC San Diego graduate.

Like last year, State Senator Christine Kehoe welcomed the fellows and led an in-depth discussion about what it actually means to build a progressive infrastructure in San Diego – how we need qualified, passionate qualified candidates not just running for elected office, but serving on boards and commissions and in leadership positions in important local non-profits.

Newly elected City Councilmember David Alvarez also led a discussion about his recent campaign – speaking frankly with the fellows about the challenges of fundraising and distinguishing himself while determined to stay true to his goal of running a vigorous and authentic campaign.

The first weekend training was hosted by Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.

Meet the 2011 NLC Fellows: Amy Gunderson

Amy Gunderson
Program Assistant, Gary and Mary West Foundation

Amy Gunderson is the program assistant at the Gary and Mary West Foundation. Her scope of work includes organizational and policy research, special project assistance, communications assistance and keeping staff abreast as to local policy issues and events that relate to the foundation’s areas of interest.

Relatively new to philanthropy, Amy spent two years at Casa Familiar, a community development organization located on the U.S. Mexico border. In her role as the community liaison, Amy organized community members around issues of community planning, the restructure of the port of entry, environmental health concerns and regional transit planning. She also worked to build collaborative relationships among the local school district, health and human service providers, businesses and public agencies.

Amy is a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University with a degree in international relations and minors in Spanish and international development. Amy has worked on municipal and state campaigns and has served on the San Ysidro Community Planning Group. Amy grew up in Mariposa, CA, a rural community located near Yosemite National Park. Amy looks forward to building relationships that will enable her to make an impact in the San Diego region.

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Note: This is part of an ongoing series introducing San Diego's 2011 fellowship class

Meet the 2011 NLC Fellows: Tiffany Gilmartin

Tiffany Gilmartin
Clinic Fellow, Thomas Jefferson Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic

Tiffany Gilmartin is the clinic fellow for the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic. The Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic provides primarily civil legal services to homeless veterans enrolled at Veterans Village San Diego. The legal services the veterans clinic provides help struggling veterans reintegrate into society by managing the crippling legal burdens their years living on the street incurred.

In the past, Tiffany was a “freeway flier,” teaching English at far-flung campuses across Southern California including California State University, San Bernardino and San Diego State. She tired of commuting for a living and settled in San Diego, where she taught at Southwestern College for a few years. Tiffany has degrees from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, the University of Southern California, and the University of Kentucky.

After college, Tiffany served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Latvia, teaching English as a Second Language. In her free time, Tiffany is an avid CrossFitter, an urban backyard farmer, and a homebrewer of beer. Tiffany currently resides in University Heights. She is from Saugus, California.

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Note: This is part of an ongoing series introducing San Diego's 2011 fellowship class.

Meet the 2011 NLC Fellows: Zach Goldman

Zach Goldman
Principal, Malk Sustainability Partners

Zach is a founder of Malk Sustainability Partners (MSP), a management consultancy focused on partnering with corporations to incorporate environmental values into business strategy. In this position, he has introduced executives across the health care, information communications technology and real estate sectors to best management practices and negotiated partnerships between clients and multi-national firms to draw on technical expertise.

Prior to joining MSP, Zach led client engagement as the business development manager at the Midtown Niki Group, a real estate private equity firm. He was responsible for developing client relationships and interfacing across their organization to guide transactions to successful conclusions. Zach co-developed Midtown Niki’s Green Finance program, where he helped Midtown Niki clients to build alliances with the US Green Building Council and leading technical experts.

Zach holds degrees in business administration and political science from the University of Southern California, is a US Green Building Council LEED Green Associate, and RABQSA Certified Competent in ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems. As an avid backpacker, triathlete, eco-challenge racer and amateur mountaineer, Zach is drawn to sustainability by a driving passion for the outdoors.

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Note: This is part of an ongoing series introducing San Diego's 2011 fellowship class

Meet the 2011 NLC Fellows: Amanda Allen

Amanda Allen
Attorney, Hecht Solberg Robinson Goldberg & Bagley, LLP

Amanda is an associate attorney at Hecht Solberg Robinson Goldberg & Bagley, LLP. She primarily works in the areas of real estate and business litigation and is currently expanding her role in land use practice. Amanda is active in the legal community as a member of the San Diego Lawyers Club, La Raza Lawyers of San Diego and the American Constitution Society.

Amanda graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in political science and public policy. She also played softball at UCLA, winning two NCAA Championships in 2003 and 2004. Amanda loved UCLA so much she stayed around for another three years and completed her law degree at the UCLA School of Law with a specialization in business law.

Amanda is a native San Diegan and returned immediately after finishing law school. Since finishing law school, she has been active in politics at the local, state and national level, most recently volunteering for the Howard Wayne campaign for city council. She aspires to continue her involvement in San Diego politics to continue to build a strong progressive community. In addition, Amanda is an avid runner and triathlete and member of the fantastic San Diego Track Club.

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Note: This is part of an ongoing series introducing San Diego's 2011 fellowship class