Category: Press Release

CNE Announces Dr. Mariane Asad Doyle as New Executive Director

Posted on January 31, 2024 by - Press Release

Charlottesville, Va. – Today, Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) announced Dr. Mariane Asad Doyle as its new executive director. Dr. Asad Doyle will assume responsibility on February 1 and succeed Cristine Nardi who served as executive director for 15 years.

“We are deeply excited about Mariane joining CNE,” said Nathan Walton, CNE Board Chair. “She brings a wide array of passions and skills related to relationship building, community-based programming, and organizational management, but also has specific expertise in the roles of equity and advocacy in nonprofit practice. Mariane embodies a unique balance of conviction and humility that I am convinced will benefit not only CNE, but communities throughout Virginia.”

Asad Doyle most recently served as Chief Culture Officer at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce, where she leveraged more than two decades of experience as a passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in nonprofits, public education, and human resources. She previously served in leadership roles with the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the William S. Hart Union High School District, and as a lecturer in educational leadership and policy studies at California State University, Northridge.

Additionally, she currently serves on the board of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce as chair of the public policy committee, is a member of the budget committee for the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, and is a long-range planning advisory committee member for Albemarle County Public Schools.

As executive director, Asad Doyle will lead the strategic planning, operational management and advocacy efforts of CNE to strengthen partnerships, build nonprofit capacity, and address structural inequities in the social impact sector.

“I am deeply honored to uphold the remarkable legacy of CNE and long-time executive director, Cristine Nardi, who served as the guiding force in steering the organization from its infancy to the impactful powerhouse it is today,” said Asad Doyle. “I am enthusiastic about propelling us into the future, championing nonprofits to thrive as sustainable organizations that play a pivotal role in serving the community and humanity at large.”

Asad Doyle attained a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Higher Education from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She lives with an incredibly supportive husband of nearly 20 years, two wonderful children, and what she describes as “the best dog in the world.”

There are more than 35,000 nonprofit organizations in Virginia, representing a quarter of the public service workforce. Since 2005, CNE has been a primary resource for the nonprofit sector by providing training, leadership development, consulting and technical support, and data, research, and convening to help nonprofit organizations and their leaders grow and thrive.

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About CNE

Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) is a member-driven, community resource for strengthening nonprofits and building a healthy, thriving social impact sector. CNE partners with more than 900 nonprofits and funders statewide to provide leadership development, training and consulting, and data, research, and convening so we can all live in a more equitable, thriving, and just Virginia.

Nominations Now Open for the Second Round of the CNE Philanthropy Champions Program

Posted on January 10, 2024 by - Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 10, 2024

Contact: Amel Gorani, agorani@thecne.org, 434.951.9041

 

Nominations Now Open for the Second Round of the CNE Philanthropy Champions Program 

 

Charlottesville, Va. – The Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) has launched the second round of the Philanthropy Champions program. The program seeks to spotlight the generous giving and important contributions of community members, not least those from marginalized and underrepresented groups whose philanthropy is often overlooked due to the narrow focus within traditional philanthropy on donors of major gifts. The program is part of CNE’s ongoing efforts to promote a more expansive and inclusive understanding of philanthropy by shining a light on some of the myriad ways that ordinary people engage in philanthropic activities. In doing so we recognize the diversity of ways in which people contribute by giving their time, treasure, talent, ties, and testimony.

“We are delighted to be launching the second round of the Philanthropy Champions program,” said Amel Gorani, CNE Deputy Director – Strategy, Equity, & Impact. “The program has been received with enthusiastic interest and support within CNE and our wider network, and has already made significant achievements in its inaugural year. It has bolstered our efforts to transform people’s understanding and perceptions of what philanthropy is and who philanthropists are. The program has made significant contributions to advancing our mission of building community. We cannot wait to celebrate the second cohort of Philanthropy Champions.”

CNE is looking to honor philanthropists (in the broad sense of the word) in the Charlottesville region who are not already widely recognized and celebrated for their professional and paid work, but individuals and groups who make a significant contribution within their community by extending themselves and sharing their talents, skills, and compassion in the ways that make a big difference. These are community volunteers and advocates, grandparents, youth leaders, teachers, workers, and other unrecognized philanthropists who are a bastion of support for others, but rarely get formal recognition for their efforts.

Last year, CNE recognized 18 Philanthropy Champions from across the Charlottesville region who were nominated by community members for their philanthropic engagements. The 2023 Philanthropy Champions’ areas of work included food security, housing justice, student activism, health, services to immigrant communities, the arts, women empowerment, and combating sexual violence. The champions represented a wide range of philanthropic practices by community leaders from varied backgrounds, generations, and all walks of life whose contributions have made an important contribution to the welfare of our community.

The 2024 Philanthropy Champions will be recognized at CNE’s annual Philanthropy Day celebration which will be held on March 27 at the Wool Factory in Charlottesville. Each champion will receive a CNE Philanthropy Champion certificate, a monetary award, a one-year CNE membership, and will be featured on CNE social media and website.

Individuals and groups in the Charlottesville region are eligible to be nominated. To nominate a Philanthropy Champion, go to thecne.org/philanthropy-champions.

Nominations can be submitted through January 26, 2024.

For more information, contact Amel Gorani at agorani@thecne.org or (434) 951-9041.

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About CNE

The Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) is a member-driven, community resource for strengthening nonprofits and building a healthy, thriving social impact sector. CNE partners with more than 900 nonprofits and funders statewide to provide leadership development, training and consulting, and data, research, and convening so we can all live in a more equitable, thriving, and just Virginia.

Announcing CNE’s 2023 Philanthropy Champions

Posted on January 9, 2023 by - Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT
Terrel White
Director | Advancement
twhite@thecne.org | 434-951-9047

 

CNE TO RECOGNIZE DIVERSE GROUP OF PHILANTHROPY CHAMPIONS AT SRPING 2023 PHILANTHROPY DAY SUMMIT

March 29 event to honor impactful and creative forms of community building in our region

Philanthropy Champions from Charlottesville and surrounding areas will be recognized and celebrated for their impactful giving and diverse forms of community building as part of The Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) Philanthropy Day Summit on March 29, 2023, beginning at 9 am at the Wool Factory  https://www.thecne.org/pday2023/

The Philanthropy Champions program aims to celebrate, spotlight, and advance diverse forms of philanthropy. This recognition is part of CNE’s ongoing efforts to promote a more expansive and inclusive understanding of philanthropy that recognizes the profound generosity within our communities, not least the giving of underrepresented groups who are seldom recognized in mainstream philanthropy.

This is the first time that CNE is hosting a Philanthropy Champions celebration to honor and spotlight the wide range of philanthropic practices in our community. In doing so we recognize the diverse ways in which people contribute by giving of their time, treasure, talent, ties, and testimony.  CNE initiated this project through a nomination process with guidance from individuals in the community to expand definitions and understandings of philanthropy.

“We are honored to celebrate and promote these champions whose philanthropic giving is so crucial in building and supporting their communities,” said Amel Gorani, CNE Deputy Director – Strategy, Equity, & Impact.  “It is particularly timely for us to host the Philanthropy Champions recognition this year as the theme for the Spring 2023 Philanthropy Day Summit is Reimagining Philanthropy for a Healthier Democracy. At a time when much attention is paid to divisiveness, these individuals are working every day to make connections and strengthen our social fabric.”

The Philanthropy Champions listed below will be recognized at the Spring 2023 Philanthropy Day Summit and will be featured throughout the coming year in more detail.  In addition to a $500 award, each champion will be offered free one-year access to CNE special services and benefits and ongoing customized support to connect the champions to potential resources to support their work. The recognition of the Champions is being made possible by generous financial support from the United Way of Greater Charlottesville and an anonymous donor from the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation.

Rosa Hudson For her role and contributions as a community organizer with the Monticello Area Community Action Agency and as the first Housing Counselor at Piedmont Housing Alliance.
Dolly Joseph, Pat Seay & Kerney Eubanks For their work in providing fresh produce, material support, and community space for the Ridge St neighborhood and beyond.
Rosa Key For fighting food insecurity as a member of Cultivate Charlottesville’s advocate team.
Lois Castle For helping run the clothing closet at her local Catholic church in Stuarts Draft.
Charles Lewis For his work on In My Humble Opinion, a radio program that builds community and has been created with dedication to empowerment.
Omwira Nkere For his support for refugee communities including through volunteer-interpretation and extensive efforts to support refugees in need.
Jaronda Miller-Bryant For her exceptional support of college students, her commitment to health and wellness in the Black community, her contributions to the Black Empowerment Coalition, and for being a general mentor to young Black women.

 
Charlottesville High School Black Student Union For their advocacy for healthier and financially accessible school lunches, and a community of unity and equity for all identities
Bass Wolf For his allyship and contributions to combating sexual violence, and his role in promoting liberation and social justice.
Rocio Zamora and Jose Luis Hernandez- Sin Barreras’ Driver Privilege Card Team, For their years-long advocacy to extend driving privileges to immigrants that may not have yet qualified for a standard license.
Dr. Max Luna – UVA Latino Health Initiative For founding the Latino Health Initiative at the University of Virginia that has contributed significantly to improve health outcomes within the Latino community.
Zafar Khan For his instrumental role in supporting resettlement and food security for Afghan refugees in Charlottesville.
Beverly Adams For her community service and advocacy for diverse groups throughout the community, through the Black Empowerment Coalition, the Women’s Initiative, the Links, and the Deltas, among other organizations.
Zeba Rizvi For her leading role within the Islamic Center of Central Virginia, her extensive inclusion efforts, and formation of many new programs, including afterschool Islamic education program.
Gloria Beard For her efforts to provide holiday gift bags for senior citizens in Charlottesville, for her community engagement with the City Council and local media, offering her ideas as a long-time resident of the city.