Do you have the tools necessary to make your board service successful? Are you seeking clarity about your role as a board member? Would you like to serve as a board member but aren’t sure how to get started?
Whether you are seasoned or new to board service, Spokes Board Academy is here to help make your experience easier and more rewarding, providing the critical knowledge and skills to be successful.
Board Academy 2025 is a series of eight online classes, held each Tuesday* for one hour. The weekly classes begin January 14 and conclude March 6.
Spokes members receive special discounts on Board Academy registration. Not yet a member? Join or renew before you register, and take advantage of our special “White Sale” promotion, good through January 31, 2025, HERE.
*NOTE: Sessions are on Tuesdays with the exception of the final meeting, which is on a Thursday.
Session Topics Include:
- January 14: Board Basics
- January 21: Legal & Ethical Issues
- January 28: Governance
- February 4: Fundraising & Resource Development
- February 11: Assessing Nonprofit Financial Health
- February 18: Insurance & Risk Management
- February 25: Maintaining a Healthy Board
- March 6: Board Diversity & Inclusivity
Your faculty will include:
Michael Simkins, Ed.D.
Michael has been a member of several nonprofit boards and served as board secretary, treasurer, and president. His professional experience spans the education and nonprofit sectors from being a school principal in Los Osos and Cal Poly lecturer to COO of a major Silicon Valley nonprofit. He is past president and current board secretary at San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre, president of his property owners association, a director and treasurer of SLO Skiers, Inc., and Spokes’ CEO. Michael received his B.A. degree from UC Santa Barbara and his masters and doctorate from UCLA.
Loren Leidinger, CFRE
Loren is currently the Outreach and Development Director at the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO) and is the Past-President of the Board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals of SLO County. Prior to joining CAPSLO, she served as the Regional Chief Development Officer for the American Red Cross Central California Region, as well as the Executive Director for the Pacific Coast Chapter of the Red Cross. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with board members in the areas of Fund Development, Board Governance, and Planning, and is currently a board member for two nonprofit organizations.
Lynette Dunn
Lynette Dunn is a Commercial Risk Advisor with Morris & Garritano Insurance, specializing in risks for Nonprofits, Agriculture and Construction. A Central Coast resident for nearly 30 years, Lynette has strong ties to her community and takes pride in being a trusted advisor to friends and neighbors, ensuring they have the best protection and the coverage they need. Outside of work, Lynette volunteers with Students for Eco-Education & Agriculture, the Allan Hancock Boosters, Angels Foster Care and other nonprofit organizations. She graduated from Fresno Pacific University with an English and Psychology degree.
Kristen Andersen
Kristen is an associate attorney with The Law Firm for Non-Profits providing a full range of legal services to nonprofit organizations. Her passion for working with nonprofit organizations began at a young age when she would volunteer at the local animal shelter. Ever since, she has assisted numerous nonprofits by donating her time and expertise in any way she can help. Kristen has a B.S. in Mathematics, a J.D. and an LL.M in Taxation Law. Kristen is a Certified Legal Specialist in Taxation law with the State Bar of California. As an attorney at The Law Firm for Non-Profits, Kristen loves that she can make assisting nonprofits her life’s work.
Debby Nicklas
Debby is the former vice president of the French Hospital Medical Center Foundation. She has served in a leadership role for many boards, including: San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, Lumina Alliance (formerly RISE), Association of Fundraising Professionals San Luis Obispo County Chapter, Children’s Health Initiative of San Luis Obispo County, Rotary San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, and Friends of Prado Day Center. Her steadfast dedication to public service earned her the Citizen of the Year award by the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce and the Cuesta College Woman of Distinction Award.
Joy Pedersen, Ph.D.
Dr. Pedersen is passionate about helping individuals and teams achieve their full potential. She has more than eighteen years of experience in higher education and the nonprofit sector. Growing up in a biracial family in San Luis Obispo, her experience with social justice and diversity is both personal and professional, successfully leveraging her deep knowledge of the community to engage in collaborative initiatives that address complex issues. Dr. Pedersen is a founding member of the Asian Pacific-Islander Faculty and Staff Association at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she also serves as the Dean of Students and teaches multicultural counseling. Dr. Pedersen has a B.A. in Psychology from Claremont McKenna, an M.A. in Counseling and Guidance from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from University of California, Santa Barbara.
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