At the Center for Healthy Nonprofits, the mission remains urgent and crystal clear. Southern Arizona’s nonprofit sector has benefitted enormously from the work of the Center, by way of their affordable capacity-building workshops and training, providing access to expertise, professional development, and consistency in building invaluable community connections. This year, a recent hire and leadership change has the Center poised to deliver further on already outstanding results.
The arrival of Chris Echeveste, AmeriCorps Program Coordinator, and recent promotion of Rose Snyder to Center for Healthy Nonprofits Director, is certainly worth celebrating! Both bring their own energy to CFSA’s Community Impact team, and while one might be tempted to see this as a classic infusion of equal parts fresh eyes and deep experience, the challenges on deck have them fully aligned, brainstorming better ways to communicate the Center’s role in strengthening Southern Arizona’s nonprofit community.
“As a Tucson native, I was very excited about joining up with the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona,” said Chris, a recent graduate of Middlebury College and former Eagle Scout, who comes to CFSA by way of our partnership with the AmeriCorps VISTA Program. “How do we show the impact of this work to as many people as we can?” Chris will be spending the next few months helping Rose in setting up a new needs assessment and strategic plan for the Center, but for both, an even bigger and more important piece of the ongoing puzzle remains getting the word out by way of nonprofit testimonials.
“In 2025, the key thing will be storytelling, and putting a face on what we do,” said Rose. While she recently took over leading the Center after the retirement of longtime CFSA veteran Paula Van Ness, Rose has been with our team for three years, following a storied coaching career in the Olympic sports world with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and over 15 years of success as a nonprofit consultant.
“When you are accustomed to the intensity of working with Olympic-level athletes, coaches and their organizations, you want to bring that energy and mindset to serving our nonprofit community.” said Rose. “I’m definitely not someone who’s afraid of a little hard work.” We at CFSA cannot wait to see what emerges from the Center for Healthy Nonprofits as these two outstanding new teammates delve further into their vital mission, sharing the stories of nonprofits who have elevated their work thanks to the Center’s efforts. In these uncertain times, we are here to offer support, knowing that together, we can navigate challenges and build a stronger, more resilient Southern Arizona.
Visit the Center for Healthy Nonprofits page.