Letter from Board of Directors

Dear Friends, Alumni, Partners and Supporters of Future Leaders in Action,

Since 2015, we have enjoyed working with Kirsten Abel, Executive Director, as she led FLIA from an idea into a thriving organization. We have developed a strong organization foundation, and we are excited for what will come. As Kirsten completes her tenure with FLIA as the Executive Director, we have invited her to join Future Leaders in Action’s Board of Directors.

The Transition Committee will lead the process of permanently filling the position. The Committee is led by Board Member, Juan J. Ramirez, and includes Board Treasurer, Julie Stapor, and FLIA Alumnae and Board Member, Clare Connaughton, and Executive Director, Kirsten Abel. FLIA will be accepting applications for the Executive Director position through February 15, 2021, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please see the Executive Director job description here. We invite those interested to apply, and for others to share with individuals who would be interested.

In order to ensure a smooth transition, the new Executive Director and Kirsten will overlap for a period of training and support. We are confident that this will be a smooth transition for our fellows, alumni, partners, and supporters.

If you have any questions about the transition or FLIA, do not hesitate to reach out to Kirsten or Transition Committee Chair, Juan.

Sincerely,
FLIA Board of Directors

Letter from Executive Director

Dear Friends, Alumni, Partners and Supporters of Future Leaders in Action,

Over the past six years, I have greatly enjoyed building and growing Future Leaders in Action. FLIA has been such a large part of my life that it is hard to believe I am writing this note. I have made the bittersweet decision to step down as Executive Director of FLIA. I am excited to share that I plan on attending business school this fall, and that I will remain closely involved with FLIA, and intend to join the Board of Directors after a brief transition period.

I have enjoyed watching fellows’ projects develop over the course of the fellowship and seeing what fellows have gone on to do after their fellowship’s completion. Thinking back to the beginning of FLIA, it’s amazing to see the growth of the program from an idea to a thriving organization, with 11 cohorts of fellows, 57 alumni, and 18 partner organizations. Last year, we pivoted the program to be online to ensure that we could successfully run our fall fellowship. All of these successes would not have been possible without our amazing donors and supporters and the hard work of FLIA’s fellows, partner organizations and board members.

 In early summer, I will officially join the Board of Directors and until then will work on initial transition steps. We are looking to hire a new Executive Director, and we invite you to share this opportunity with anyone that would be a good fit. My confidence in our programming and community has never been higher, and I am excited to support a smooth transition to new leadership.

I am incredibly grateful for the past six years. I look forward to supporting the incoming Executive Director, FLIA, alumni, and incoming fellows in a different capacity, while pursuing a graduate degree. If you have any questions about the transition or FLIA, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you may have now or in the future.

Thank you,
Kirsten Abel

Looking Forward to the Fall 2020 Fellowship: What’s Different

At FLIA, we’re excited to move forward with our fall fellowship this year. We know that it has been a really weird year with COVID-19. To that end, we’ve made several adjustments to the program and kept some parts the same. Our goal is to ensure that fellows, staff and youth at our partner organizations, and our communities stay safe.

What’s Changing?

1. Smaller Cohort

This fall, we will be hiring four fellows, down from our average of eight. This is the first time we will be holding the leadership trainings virtually, among several other changes, and we wanted to ensure that the program quality remains high.

2. Virtual Leadership Trainings

Traditionally, the fellowship starts with a one-week in-person leadership training retreat. Instead, fellows will participate in these workshops spread out over the first several weeks of the fellowship virtually. We’re excited about some of the ways that we will mimic the retreat experience!

3. Remote Co-working

Throughout the fellowship, there will be remote co-working times that fellows will log on and co-work together to foster a similar experience to working together in the same place physically.

4. Part-time or Full-time

The fellowship is now available as either part-time or full-time. As the summer fellowship was postponed, we hope that by having the part-time fellowship available, students who would have applied over summer could participate this fall. When you apply, you will select your current choice for part-time or full-time, but can change it during the hiring process if your availability changes. Part-time fellows will receive a pro-rated weekly stipend. Both full-time and part-time will work the same number of days by the end of their fellowships and therefore receive the same compensation.

5. Remote Available

With the constantly changing nature of COVID-19, we want to assure you - you will be able to complete the fellowship remotely. Depending on the status of your partner organization’s office, you may be able to work in the office socially distanced if it is your preference. However, remote working will continue to be available, even if the partner organization’s office is open.

What’s Staying the Same?

1. Remote Interviewing

During the hiring process, your interviews will be conducted remotely. At FLIA, we’ve always had the first round of interviews virtually and will continue to do so. Our partners would do a combination of remote and in-person, but will now just interview virtually.

2. Virtual Community Building Among Fellows

Since the beginning of Future Leaders in Action, we’ve taken advantage of technology to facilitate community building amongst fellows. We will continue to use Slack and video calls throughout the fellowship. We’ll also be adding to new ways to connect.

3. The Core Project

The core piece of your work will stay the same. As a FLIA fellow, you will spend most of your time working on a project identified by the partner organization. Check out the opportunities here. Partners have selected projects that can be completed remotely to ensure that you will not have to pivot your focus, even if there is a need to return to strict social distancing.

4. Support

You will receive the same support that fellows have received in the past with several additions. We’re working on adding several additional programming pieces to provide support throughout the fall, as there may be additional stressors with COVID-19.

5. Our Goal of Supporting Emerging Leaders and Youth-focused NOnprofits

Our dedication to supporting youth-focused organizations stays the same as there’s a need for consistency in youth’s lives right now. The youngest amongst us are dealing with the most upheaval and our mission has always included supporting these organizations because of what it means for the future of our country and world. Children will be experiencing a lot of firsts this fall and making sure important places in their life like Fiver Children’s Foundation, South Bronx United, Variety - the Children’s Charity, and Iowa Center for Children’s Justice are running smoothly will help reduce some of that stress. Additionally, for emerging leaders getting valuable work experience while receiving a living wage is as important as ever.

With all of the uncertainty going on in the world right now, if you have any additional questions or concerns, please email Kirsten and she will answer them. We are here to help you apply for the fellowship!