FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Strong Field Project Announces Third Cohort of its Leadership Development Program Program offers unique leadership training for California’s domestic violence service providers San Francisco, CA (June 13, 2013) - The Strong Field Project announced today the launch of its third cohort of the Leadership Development Program. The announcement coincides with the graduation of Cohort II, consisting of nineteen California leaders working in the field of domestic violence. The program is made possible with support from Blue Shield of California Foundation, as part of its longstanding commitment to building a strong network of domestic violence service providers across the state. The eighteen-month Leadership Development Program combines individual leadership and peer coaching, intensive in-person convenings, networking, and flexible grants to support cohort members in achieving their full potential. Leaders are selected from a competitive applicant pool and represent organizations throughout California. “We are so pleased to welcome a third group of leaders to participate in this program,” said Bess Bendet, director of Blue Shield Against Violence. “Throughout this process, these individuals will become equipped to inspire others, make smart business decisions, and develop new approaches to domestic violence service delivery – ultimately benefiting their own organizations and leading the entire field forward. “ The program curriculum – designed by CompassPoint Nonprofit Services and the Asian Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence – covers topics such as nonprofit business models, adaptive leadership, strategic decision-making, managing change, and multicultural leadership frameworks. Graduating members of Cohort II include: Encarny Aguado-Amsems, Center for Domestic Peace, San Rafael Patty Bennett, Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence, San Jose Adriana Caldera, YWCA of Silicon Valley, San Jose Michelle Coleman, Stand Up Placer, Auburn Olga Diaz, YWCA of San Diego County, San Diego June Earley, SAFE Alternatives for Everyone, Temecula Elizabeth Eastlund, Rainbow Services, San Pedro Liliana Herrera, Peace Over Violence, Los Angeles Linda Hodges, Casa de Esperanza, Yuba City Claudia Humphrey, LIFT3 Support Group, Fairfield Adrienne Lamar-Snyder, Jenesse Center, Inc., Los Angeles Jennifer Lee, Women's Center – Youth & Family Services, Tracy Danielle Lingle, Center for Community Solutions, San Diego Emma Owens, The Center for Violence-Free Relationships, Placerville Goretty Ramos, Women's Shelter of Long Beach, Long Beach May Rico, Haven Women's Center of Stanislaus, Modesto Erin Scott, Family Violence Law Center, Oakland Teresa Yu, City of San Jose – Grace Community Center, San Jose Jill Zawisza, WOMAN Inc., San Francisco Joining Cohort II at their closing convening is the third cohort of the Leadership Development Program - consisting of twenty participants: Paul Bancroft, Tahoe SAFE Alliance, Kings Beach Alma Borja, Family Services of Tulare, Visalia Heather Carter, Center for a Non Violent Community, Sonora Rama Dharmarajan, Maitri, Santa Clara Marci Fukuroda, Rainbow Services, Ltd., San Pedro Kate Hart, Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments (SAVE), Fremont Colsaria Henderson, Family Violence Law Center, Oakland Jean King, Shasta Women’s Refuge & Family Justice Center, Redding Vivian Lee, Little Tokyo Service Center, Los Angeles Melissa Luke, Asian Americans for Community Involvement, San Jose Wanda Luong, Center for the Pacific Asian Family, Los Angeles Vincent Marquez, Human Options, Irvine Mary Martinez, WOMAN, Inc., San Francisco Amie McClane, YWCA Silicon Valley, San Jose Ivy Panlilio, Haven Hills, Inc., Canoga Park Rabeya Sen, Prototypes, Los Angeles Sitra Thiayagarajah, My Sister’s House, Sacramento Jesse Torrey, North County Women’s Shelter/SARP Center, Paso Robles Alison Tudor, Mountain Crisis Services, Inc., Mariposa Sharon Turner, STAND! For Families Free of Violence, Concord ### About the Strong Field Project The Strong Field Project is a four-year effort established by Blue Shield of California Foundation, through its Blue Shield Against Violence program. In collaboration with the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, Jemmott Rollins Group, and Women's Foundation of California, the Project aims to build a stronger, more coordinated network of domestic violence service providers in California. For more information about the Leadership Development Program, contact Marissa Tirona at marissat@compasspoint.org. To learn more about the Strong Field Project, visit www.strongfieldproject.org.