By You care about your community. You care about children. Whether you’re organizing your first initiative, managing a long-standing program, shaping public policy or building partnerships across sectors, you know this work is tireless. But it becomes stronger when leaders grow together.
That’s the vision behind the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Community Leadership Network (CLN). The fellowship brings together people at different stages of their leadership journey who share a commitment to equity, collaboration and children’s well-being. Some are just stepping into larger roles. Others are experienced leaders in business, education, health, food systems, workforce development, governance and faith communities. The common denominator? All come ready to connect, grow and lead.
In partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership, CLN offers an 18-month fellowship designed to equip leaders — both local and national — with the tools, support and relationships needed to lead meaningful, community-based change. Fellows include nonprofit directors, advocates for maternal and child health, youth mentors, farmers and elected officials. Some are building programs from the ground up. Others are working to shift policies or expand access to care. All share a vision for collaborative, community-driven action that unites a broad spectrum of people who care about children.
Here’s how our most recent cohort of fellows strengthened their leadership to better serve children, and how those lessons can guide your journey.
“This fellowship has impacted my ability to see myself. And now, I can see my community…”
Ericka Thompson, founder of Mood Matters, said CLN created space to reflect deeply on her identity, biases and life experiences. “This fellowship has impacted my ability to see myself, and so now, I can see my community and see the areas within my community that need more than leadership.” Through that reflection, Thompson learned to lead with empathy and intention, allowing her to recognize and respond to gaps in her community with greater clarity and purpose.
“We should burn bright, not burn out.”
Nadeane Cattrell, executive director of Mississippi Families for Kids, works to create stability and permanency for children at risk of entering the foster care system. Through CLN, she discovered that leading with vulnerability and rest could strengthen, not diminish, her impact. “The most powerful thing that this experience has done for me is help to show me my humanity. That it’s okay to not always be on. That it’s okay to rest, take a break, that we should burn bright not burn out,” said Cattrell.
“It gave me the confidence to lead in my own way.”
For Todd Wackerman, founder of STEM Library Lab in Louisiana, CLN became a space to embrace his leadership style instead of feeling pressured to lead like others. As an introvert, he found validation in the idea that leadership can take many forms. “I appreciate the guidance of this program and now know that community leadership looks like many things in many circumstances, but the most important thing is to show up authentically.”
That permission to lead with authenticity helps bring people together in your community and work toward solutions. CLN reinforces that there is no one right way to lead. What matters is showing up with clarity, purpose and care for the children and families you serve.
“This became a charging station.”
Dondrea Brown, founder of 1428 Financial Wellness in Michigan, said CLN gave him a rare opportunity to refill his cup. As someone constantly pouring into others, he found in the fellowship a reminder that leaders need support too. “This experience has said to us ‘we’re not only going to pour back into you, but we are going to equip you in ways so you don’t burn out as quickly.’”
With renewed energy and tools for sustainable leadership, Brown is now better equipped to help families and children build stronger relationships with money and long-term opportunity. When leaders invest in their own growth, they gain the stamina to stay present for the people who rely on them most.
“It helped me create safer spaces for others.”
Charlene Bencomo, executive director of Bold Futures in New Mexico, found something powerful in CLN: belonging. The experience gave her the grounding and safety she needed to offer that same sense of care to others. “This fellowship has helped me understand what it feels like to have a safe space and has helped me to develop spaces for other people to feel what I have felt through this experience.”
Whether building coalitions or advocating for reproductive justice, Bencomo now leads with greater intention and care, helping create environments where children, families and partners feel seen, supported and empowered.
When leaders have space to grow, the children they serve benefit. Compassionate and capable leaders rooted in their communities are essential to championing equity. That is why the supportive network created through CLN is so vital. Our children, families and communities want leaders who will listen, unite people around solutions and model the self-care needed to sustain this work.
If you’re invested in this work and looking to take your leadership skills to the next level, this fellowship may be your next step.
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