Leadership Development & Mentoring Program

Join us in welcoming our 2025 cohort!

We are proud to host our 2025 cohort of emerging leaders and mentors! Stay tuned, applications for our next cohort open later this year. 

Emerging Leaders

• Vadim Avshalumov, Program Officer, William Davidson Foundation
• Grace Brooks, Program Manager, Michigan Health Endowment Fund
• Amanda Bruner, Program Manager, Shiawassee Community Foundation
• Kallista Fernanders, Senior Finance Officer, Kalamazoo Community Foundation
• Diana Giles, Scholarship Program Coordinator, Community Foundation for Muskegon County
• Ceara King, Program Specialist, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
• Roxana Martinelli, Program Manager, New Economy Initiative, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
• Channing McKay, Associate Program Officer, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
• Jennifer Popielski, Senior Program Officer, Michigan Gateway Community Foundation
• Johnathan Shearrod, Grants and Finance Manager, Rocket Community Fund
• Emily Waldschmidt, Communications and Program Specialist, Delta Dental Foundation
• Paris Wilson, Senior Program Manager, Gilbert Family Foundation

Mentors

• Kyle Caldwell, President and CEO, CMF
• Maria Gonzales, Senior Director, Fremont Area Community Foundation
• Cindy Hales, Vice President of Community Investment, Capital Region Community Foundation
• Audrey Harvey, Executive Director and CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
• Ashley Johnson, Program Officer, The Kresge Foundation
• Rima Meroueh, Director, National Network for Arab American Communities, ACCESS/Center for Arab American Philanthropy
• Camarrah Morgan, Program Partner, Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
• Mackenzie Price, Executive Director, Huron County Community Foundation
• Raquel Robinson, Vice President of Programs, Ruth Mott Foundation
• Leslie Schoen, Grants and Operations Manager, Steelcase Foundation
• Michael Shaw, Vice President of Programs, Hudson-Webber Foundation
• Lydia Stars, Senior Program Officer, Community Foundation of Greater Flint

The CMF Leadership Development and Mentoring Program is an opportunity for experienced leaders and those who are new to the field to develop relationships and engage in a community of peer learning. 

This six-month program features one-to-one customized coaching, leadership style and leadership assessments and a curriculum that centers principles of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and explores topics such as emotional intelligence, personal values and career development. The core of the program is centered in the mentoring relationship between experienced and emerging leaders.

Mentors, in addition to participating in the full cohort workshops, have the opportunity to positively impact the field of philanthropy, share their passion for the work and deepen their mentorship skills while growing their statewide network. 

CMF Leadership Development and Mentoring Program participants: 

• CONNECT: Through monthly in-person or virtual engagements, foster long-lasting relationships and exchange knowledge and insights with peers. 

• DEVELOP: Through webinars and personalized sessions with an executive coach, develop their leadership style.

• LEARN: Through in-person meetings, webinars and 1:1 interaction, learn from those who have deep expertise in philanthropy. 

• GROW: Through intentional engagement, expand their leadership skills and broaden their professional network. 

“This was such a tremendous experience for me, and I hope for [my emerging practitioner partner] as well. I watched her grow and evolve as a young leader and really take control of her learning and her insight and put it to good use. She is a remarkable and talented professional and it was a joy and a privilege to work with her. Thanks to MWF for allowing me the honor of being her mentor. It was an excellent program and I was proud to be a part of it.”

– Carolyn Cassin, President and CEO, Michigan Women Forward, 2024 Mentor