Nonprofit Utopia Launches on Mighty Networks to Develop the Next Generation of Ethical Leaders

Valerie F. Leonard
Published: May 31, 2018

(Chicago, Illinois, May 31, 2018) Nonprofit Utopia, LLC informally launched yesterday as a community of emerging nonprofit leaders, designed to provide a safe environment in which members can innovate, speak candidly about the issues and concerns they face on a daily basis, and share ideas and resources. Mighty Networks is a professional networking platform that provides a safe alternative to Facebook and LinkedIn groups.

“Baby Boomers are retiring, and Millennials now make up the largest segment of the workforce”, said Vlerie F. Leonard, the Founder of Nonprofit Utopia, LLC. There’s still a lot of work to be done in our communities, and we can’t afford to have a leadership void in the nonprofit sector”.

A graduate of the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Leonard is an expert in community and organizational development who works with nonprofits to make a stronger impact to their clients and communities. She also teaches operations management for the UIC Certificate in Nonprofit Management program, and hosts the Nonprofit “U” podcast on BlogTalkRadio. “We need to ensure a seamless transition of knowledge from one generation of ethical leaders to the next. I want to do my share by training 50,000 emerging nonprofit and civic-minded leaders over the next 15 years”, Leonard said.

Mighty Networks was founded by Gina Bianchini, a Silicon Valley veteran, Stanford University graduate, and serial entrepreneur. Prior to starting Mighty Networks, she co-founded Ning with Marc Andreessen. “We’re thrilled to power Nonprofit Utopia and the fantastic work that Valerie is doing,” said Bianchini. Using the theme “The Power of Community”, Nonprofit Utopia will formally launch from Blue 1647 Tech Innovation Center in Chicago on June 26, 2018, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm., CST. The event will stream live from Facebook on the Nonprofit Utopia page. Featured speakers will include Bianchini; Emile Cambry, CEO of Blue 1647 Tech Innovation Center; Shelby Parchman, Founder of Urban Strategies, LLC and Bronwen Schumacher, Account Executive with Oracle + NetSuite. Theo Leonard, Jr., Insurance Agent with Country Financial, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Program highlights include a live demonstration of the Nonprofit Utopia website and opportunities to share ideas on the highest and best use for the community. Questions regarding the event may be directed to Leonard at valeriefleonard@nonprofitutopia.com. Sign up for a reminder here.

Leonard will be using Mighty Networks as a key element in accomplishing her goal. Mighty Networks is a professional networking platform that lets members have deeper connections than they would through other social media. The app allows users to create communities through which members can keep their “ear to the ground” on the latest developments with posts, questions, and polls. They can also establish themselves as local thought leaders by writing articles, submitting videos and podcasts and sharing behind-the-scenes experiences that will spark conversations and facilitate connections. Members can take online courses and connect to one another based on geographic location, job title and hot-button issues. "We're really looking forward to creating the ideal community for emerging nonprofit leaders", Leonard said.

Keywords: Capacity Building, Leadership, Nonprofit Management, Nonprofit Utopia, Online Communities, Organizational Development, Valerie F. Leonard