Congrats to Holly Ross, NTEN Executive Director for Making the NpTimes Power List

The NonProfit Times just announced its 2009 Power & Influence Top 50, an annual list of the most influential nonprofit leaders in the sector.  Holly Ross is on the list and it makes me so very happy to see Holly get the recognition she deserves!  You rock Holly!  I agree with Amy Sample Ward, who tweeted "I'm putting I know Holly Ross on my resume"

This year the list include more folks who work in the nonprofit technology area, like Holly Ross (who is one of the few on the list under 40 - Doug Ulman is another young leader on the list.) 

Lists like these always have limitations, because there are always groups of people who are not well represented as Rosetta Thurman points out in her post "Whites Only Nonprofit Leadership?"

Whenever we hold up a mirror to our sector by creating one of these lists (or holding an invitation-only gathering for top nonprofit leaders), we also assume the responsibility of reflecting our sector as best we can. Is this the best we can do?

One good thing about the transparency of social web is that we can easily find a diversity of nonprofit professionals who are thought leaders and have influence ripples.  Just scan a few of these nonprofit blogs written by people of color or these blogs written by younger nonprofit leaders or follow these young nonprofit professionals on Twitter.   (Or the recent alumni section of nonprofit management degree programs)

There are also capacity efforts underway - for example the Community Leadership Project in California - where will build the capacity of future nonprofit leaders of color who make the list in the future.

Comments

[Holly]

Thanks Beth - as always, I'm a lucky gal to have you on my side!