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2012 National Conference

March 12–14, 2012

Seattle, WA

C1: Collaboration is Hot in Cleveland

Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 9:00 AM–10:30 AM PDT
St. Helens (Mezzanine Level)
Session Designer

Denise San Antonio Zeman, Saint Luke’s Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio

Session Description

In response to requests from local nonprofits for help in learning how to approach collaboration, a group of 18 grantmakers in Cleveland pooled their resources to develop and implement a three-phase project to strengthen human service offerings in their area. In the end, eight nonprofits strategically restructured their operations into four, and a network of consultants was formed to support collaboration efforts. Drawing on the insights of a diverse panel of organizations involved in the collaboration and the conclusions of a written case study, participants will explore what works in supporting nonprofit strategic restructuring from the perspective of funders, nonprofits and consultants.

Conference Theme

Collaborative Problem Solving

Speakers

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Denise San Antonio Zeman, Saint Luke's Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio
Title

President and CEO

Speaker Biography

Denise San Antonio Zeman is President and CEO of Saint Luke’s Foundation of Cleveland. With strategic focus on Urban Health and Well-being, Urban Community Revitalization and Urban Families, the Foundation supports collaborative approaches to increase health equity and build community capacity to address the complex, changing needs of Greater Cleveland’s vulnerable populations. Embracing a disciplined approach to outcomes and learning, Zeman considers the Foundation a “work in progress.” She has held this position since 2000 but her career spans philanthropy, healthcare, human services and higher education. She holds a bachelor's from Ursuline College; a master's from John Carroll University and a professional chef’s certificate from the Loretta Paganini School of Cooking.

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Linda Dooley Johanek, Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center
Title

President and CEO

Speaker Biography

Linda Dooley Johanek is the chief executive officer of the Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center as well as a speaker, activist and champion of creative and strategic thinking. She has worked for more than 20 years with social issues regarding women and children in need. She served as faculty liaison with Cleveland State University, program advisor at Case Western Reserve University and has served on the Ohio Domestic Violence Network Board, Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, Elder Abuse/Domestic Violence Roundtable, Cuyahoga County Fatality Review Board and others. Johanek received her bachelor's in social work from Cleveland State University and a master's of social science administration from Case Western Reserve University.

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Amy Main Morgenstern, Main Stream Enterprises, Inc.
Title

President

Speaker Biography

Amy Main Morgenstern is president of Main Stream Enterprises, the consulting firm she founded in 1990 to help strengthen the capacity of foundations, nonprofit organizations, schools and universities. Morgenstern leads comprehensive governance and planning processes throughout the country. Her experiences on all sides of the table - as a staff person, board officer, foundation treasurer and grants committee chair - contribute to her insights and counsel about what makes organizations and their boards most effective. She holds an master's of business administration from the Weatherhead School of Management, and an master's of science in social administration from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, both at Case Western Reserve University.

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Deborah Vesy, Deaconess Community Foundation
Title

President and CEO

Speaker Biography

Deborah Vesy is president and CEO of Deaconess Community Foundation. Vesy also serves as president of three HUD housing facilities for the low-income elderly that the foundation owns and operates. She started her career as a CPA in a major public accounting firm and then served as vice president/general manager of a $10 million for-profit business. She is a trustee of Business Volunteers Unlimited, Cleveland Leadership Center and Ohio Grantmakers Forum. Vesy is a member of In Counsel with Women and serves on the Advisory Board of the Foundation Center – Cleveland.

Session Materials

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