nonprofit executive search firm, nonprofit hiring rhode island, Nonprofit recruiter Rhode Island

Search Success: Anusha Venkataraman Joins ONE Neighborhood Builders as Managing Director of Central Providence Opportunities!

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ONE Neighborhood Builders and Pillar Search and HR Consulting are excited to share that Anusha Venkataram has joined ONE Neighborhood Builders as their new Managing Director of Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone. She brings nearly two decades of experience in community development, policy, and organizing, to state’s leading community development corporation.

PROVIDENCE, RI – ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB) named Anusha Venkataraman, the former executive director of the New York City Racial Justice Commission, as the organization’s first Managing Director of Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone (CPO-HEZ), an initiative focused on advancing health equity and economic mobility in the 02908 and 02909 zip codes in Providence.

“Anusha is a seasoned expert in community development, policy, and organizing, and we are thrilled that she has returned to Providence. As ONE|NB looks to further strengthen our foundation as a community-centered impact organization, we knew we needed to find a leader with a track record of building community trust and getting results,” said ONE|NB President and Executive Director Jennifer Hawkins.

With a background in urban planning, Venkataraman’s work has focused on community development, public policy, civic engagement, political organizing, and the arts. Previously, she served as the Executive Director of the NYC Racial Justice Commission, where she steered a public process of reviewing the city’s charter, resulting in three successful ballot initiatives advancing racial equity.

“Across my career in grassroots organizations, nonprofits, and in city government, I have seen what is possible when community members are empowered to drive action,” said Venkataraman. “I am excited to make my return to Providence—a city I am deeply passionate about—and help lead this initiative with ONE|NB in addressing the systemic barriers to health and economic equity in Central Providence and collectively building a stronger future.”

Before leading the NYC Racial Justice Commission, Venkataraman held positions in the NYC Office of the Mayor, including Chief Service Officer and Senior Advisor to the Deputy Mayor for Housing & Economic Development, as well as in the NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development. She also worked with the community organization El Puente in Brooklyn on a neighborhood-wide health and sustainability initiative. Venkataraman started her career in Rhode Island’s nonprofit sector, including as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at the Steel Yard in Providence.

The Managing Director provides strategic leadership and capacity to Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone, which brings together residents, more than five dozen community-based organizations, health professionals, local businesses, elected officials, and others to address root causes of health disparities and to improve neighborhood conditions.

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) established Health Equity Zones (HEZs) in 2015 to improve community health in areas that need it most. HEZs are collaboratives of residents, community organizations, health professionals, and others who come together to address the root causes of health disparities. The HEZs work to ensure every neighborhood has a fair and just opportunity to be healthier. This work requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, racism, and their consequences, including insufficient access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education, affordable housing, safe environments, and healthcar

As Managing Director of CPO-HEZ, Venkataraman will oversee ONE|NB’s work with community partners and residents who have been working for nearly a year to develop a vision for Central Providence. ONE|NB and its partners will culminate this planning work on Monday when they unveil the Central Providence Roadmap, with a vision to ensure that all residents of Central Providence will live healthy, stable lives and be empowered to impact the conditions in their community.

Venkataraman earned a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Pratt Institute and a bachelor’s in international relations from Brown University.

ABOUT ONE NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDERS:

ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB) is a nonprofit community development leader in Rhode Island that is expanding its work to the broader Greater Providence area while maintaining its deep roots in its historic home of Olneyville. ONE|NB’s mission is to develop affordable housing and engage neighbors to cultivate healthy, vibrant, and safe communities. Since its founding in 1988, then as Olneyville Housing Corporation, ONE|NB has developed 466 affordable apartments; 130 for-sale homes for low- to moderate-income homebuyers; and nearly 34,000 square feet of commercial and community space—totaling more than $135 million of investments. ONE|NB is the convening entity of Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone, which brings together residents, more than five dozen community-based organizations, health professionals, local businesses, elected officials, and others to address root causes of health disparities and to improve neighborhood conditions. As the convener, ONE|NB is the backbone organization of this collective-impact initiative to increase economic mobility for residents in Central Providence. ONE|NB also created the first free community wireless network in Rhode Island, providing high-speed broadband to nearly 3000 unique users in the Olneyville neighborhood.

ABOUT PILLAR SEARCH & HR CONSULTING:

A woman-owned business and Certified Diversity Recruiter based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information about Pillar, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

executive search nonprofit leadership, nonprofit IT recruiting, nonprofit search firm

Search Success: Rob Jacobs Joins Sandy Hook Promise as Vice President of Technology!

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Sandy Hook Promise and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are proud to announce the appointment of Rob Jacobs to the position of Vice President of Technology. Rob joined the organization on January 30, 2023.

As Vice President of Technology, Rob will lead technology strategy, objectives goals vision, priorities, and technology decisions. He will define and bring to life the best technology solutions that meet the needs of the organization today and establish the right foundation for future growth and ability to scale, while also leading a team of IT professionals, building on a best-in-class culture with big-picture thinking that is adaptable and able to respond to the needs and goals of the organization effectively and efficiently. Rob will develop, implement, and evaluate technology projects and new processes and systems in line with organizational objectives, and build Project Management expertise to manage these initiatives.

Most recently, Rob was Director of IT with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Prior, he was the Chief Information Officer of the Capital Good Fund. Earlier in his career, he was the Chief Information Officer of Kappa Alpha Theta and Senior Director of IT with Herff Jones, as well as a consultant with The Integrity Practice.

Rob earned his master’s degree in organizational management & development from the Fielding Graduate School and his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Morehouse College.

About Sandy Hook Promise: Sandy Hook Promise is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to end school shootings and create a culture change that prevents violence and other harmful acts that hurt children. Through its lifesaving, evidence informed Know the Signs prevention programs, Sandy Hook Promise educates and empowers youth and adults to recognize, intervene, and get help for individuals who may be socially isolated and/or at risk of hurting themselves or others. Sandy Hook Promise is a moderate, bipartisan organization that supports sensible policy solutions that address the human side of gun violence and make schools safer. Sandy Hook Promise is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. For more information about Sandy Hook Promise, please visit https://www.sandyhookpromise.org.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information about Pillar, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

Adult Learning Theories course, Harved Extension School

Announcing My New Course, Adult Learning Theories, at Harvard Extension School!

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I am honored to be creating and teaching a brand-new online course for Harvard Extension School. Adult Learning Theories, will begin in September 2020. 

Learning opportunities for adults are often modeled after our classes in grade school and high school. However, adults learn much differently from children. Their motivation to learn is vastly different as well. This course explores adult learning theory and practice, how to engage the adult learner, and how to provide learning opportunities that both motivate and challenge. Human resources practitioners, leaders, and trainers alike benefit from this course, as will managers of teams in any functional area of the organization.

Registration for the Adult Learning Theories course and Harvard Extension School’s other amazing educational opportunities begins on July 20, 2020 and may be accessed here. 

Harvard Extension School is the online learning/continuing education platform for Harvard University. I most recently taught at Harvard Extension School in the fall of 2019, when I created another new course, Nonprofit Human Resources Management. That course will be offered again in the spring 2021 semester.

A woman-owned company based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides nonprofit executive search and human resources consulting expertise, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please contact Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

 

 

 

Regis College, Regis College Alumni, Regis College Alumni Council

Cindy Joyce Joins the Regis College Alumni Council

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Cindy Joyce, CEO of Pillar Search & HR Consulting, has joined the Alumni Council of Regis College.  Regis is based in Weston, MA. 

The purpose of the Alumni Council is to enhance the mission of Regis and institutional priorities. The Council strives to enhance the quality of service to alumni, increase Regis’ alumni giving, participation, and to heighten the lifelong partnership between alumni and the University. The Council demonstrates commitment and supports the mission by partnering with the Office of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations to build effective programs for Regis’ alumni and greater Regis community. Through the work of the Alumni Council and the Office of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations, members of the Alumni Council take advantage of opportunities to continue to engage in the Regis College community.