2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT Leading is challenging even in the best of times. In a time of urgent, interconnected crises — racial injustice, a pandemic, the economy — the work of leading can feel nothing short of overwhelming. At Coro, we’re lucky to support our program participants — leaders from every background, age, and sector — as they develop the skills they need to rise to the challenges of our time. Coro’s through line, from our founding in 1942 to 2020, is a recognition that in order to strengthen and safeguard democracy we must prepare leaders to tackle our most pressing challenges with integrity and a dedication to the common good. This moment presents an opportunity for leaders to increase their skills and renew their commitment to inquiry, inclusivity, compassion, perseverance, and adaptability. And that’s why we’re here. This year, Coro served a record 1,807 people through leadership development programs and workshops; 85% reported tangible increases in their leadership skills. We pivoted and adapted our programs to a virtual model, delivering meaningful leadership development education at a time when so many are seeking support, connection, and a path forward. Thank you for forging this path with us! With gratitude, Laney Whitcanack Marianna Pisano Chief Executive Officer & Coro Alumna Board Chair & Coro Alumna A New Impact Statement for a New Era Coro trains, supports, and connects leaders to foster a thriving democracy and tackle society’s biggest challenges together. Responding to COVID-19 In early March, to comply with public virtual space, offering a suite of online health protocols and ensure the safety of Leadership Labs and a six-session Adaptive our participants, staff, and community, Leadership Circle to help people boost Coro adapted our ongoing programs to a capacity and skills in this new era. virtual model. Our Virtual Spring Gathering, and other We pivoted our program structure to cohort gatherings and celebrations, deliver high-quality online leadership moved online to create opportunities development sessions, and created new for socializing, resource-sharing, and opportunities to come together in the community. “I drew on so many of my Coro tools to rapidly respond to the pandemic and continually pivot and adapt to an ever- changing situation .... Thank you, Coro, for giving me the tools to go from ideas to action and allowing me to help my community emerge from this crisis more connected and resilient.” — Sydney Saubestre, Fellows Program Alumna Reaffirming our Commitment to Equity and Racial Justice Creating programs that support a thriving democracy is at the core of our mission. And to create a truly thriving democracy, we must acknowledge and address systemic racism. Coro is committed to deepening our anti-racism work through: Evolving our lifelong Elevating DEIB and Consciously creating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion anti-racism practices meaningful opportunities and Belonging (DEIB) as crucial leadership for the Coro community work, for our team, board, competencies. to connect and share anti- and program participants. racism resources, support, advocacy, and ideas. Join the Conversation Coro’s approach to leadership is all about diverse perspectives and lived experiences — and that Visit the Leadership and makes for an impressive cross-sector network Racial Justice Group on of professionals with a depth and breadth of Coro Connect to share experience. We launched Coro Connect, a anti-racism resources networking platform that helps Coro alums from and conversations with every program share information and open doors other alums. for one another in the real world. Helping Democracy Thrive Our esteemed Fellows Program in Public Affairs trains the next generation of civic leaders over the course of an intensive nine-month, full-time leadership program. THE FELLOWS CLASS OF 2020: Conducted 115 55 internship Gained 50+ Engaged in 15 Led and completed 4 interviews with placements around leadership tools workshops on topics Focus Weeks dedicated sector leaders. the Bay Area. for self-awareness, such as negotiations, to public finance, critical thinking, understanding the communications, communication, and basics of organizational state government, and managing group finance, and healthcare. process. professional narrative. 100% expanded their 91% better understand 91% feel more 91% more actively professional networks how to initiate and comfortable giving and seek and consider of people interested in organize bringing people receiving feedback as a diverse perspectives improving organizations, together, and inspire high- tool for growth. and information. communities and society. performing teams and coalitions. “[In Coro’s Fellows Program] ... your personal “I have learned the value of relationship- determination, resilience, and curiosity are brought to oriented leadership as a means to the forefront ... It is an intense, eye-opening bolster action. ... The opportunity to exist in a experience that empowers you to cohort of thoughtful, passionate, and curious people figure out which values you align with that treasured constructive feedback helped me and how to navigate this world with understand the moments when my leadership style those values intact.” was effective and the moments when it was not.” — Katherine Stubbs, Fellows Program in Public Affairs Class of 2020 — Jacqueline Schaeffer, Fellows Program in Public Affairs, Class of 2020 Elevating Youth Voices Exploring Leadership and District Youth Leadership Academies (serving Districts 1, 7, and 11, in partnership with the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Their Families), delivered transformational leadership education to teens, challenging them to engage with their communities and with each other. More than 80% of participants, In partnership with the City and County of San Francisco, the in three distinct cohorts, Human Rights Commission, Collective Impact, and JCYC, increased in confidence and Coro trained 70 college-aged Opportunities for All (OFA) empowered professionalism, Fellows. OFA is Mayor Breed’s initiative to connect young and feel better equipped to people of all backgrounds to employment, job training, and initiate positive change in their mentorship opportunities. Our Fellows worked across the schools and communities. city this summer to support 1,200 high school youth. “Coro has quite literally changed my life and changed me “The Coro Exploring Leadership as a person. Every second of the 7 weeks was a learning experience. ... There were ups and downs, and often I was program has been an beyond exhausted when I got home late at night. Yet, I would experience beyond compare. recommend the program to every single person I know The level of love that goes into what these because if everyone got the opportunity people do can’t be matched. This program for this kind of learning the world opened my eyes to new job opportunities that I would be a much better place.” plan on pursuing in the near future.” — Hassan Johnson, 2020 Exploring Leadership Youth Fellow — Manasvi Lodha, 2019 Exploring Leadership Youth Fellow Women in Leadership We brought together cross-sector professionals from across the Bay Area to create a pipeline of diverse, empowered women leaders. 100% of recent participants increased We developed a new, virtual program design, essential leadership skills, confidence, and launching this fall, focused on critical pillars capacity to collaborate across differences. of our community — education, healthcare, housing, and governance — that need to be strengthened as we work to restore a sense of equilibrium during and after COVID-19. “Participating in Coro’s Women in Leadership “During the Coro Women in Leadership training I first program was an invaluable experience. Not only declared my intention to run for San Francisco City did it provide me with useful tools and broader College Board. Running for office is difficult — doing leadership skills … but it connected me with an so as a woman adds new dimensions of isolation and amazing group of women-identifying professionals self-doubt. As a young Muslim woman of color running working to make the Bay Area a for office, I don’t see many elected officials like me. …. better and more equitable place.” Coro helped build my confidence — Morgan Chow, Women in Leadership Alumna and provided me with an amazing support structure of like-minded women to help me achieve my goals.” — Aliya Chisti, Women in Leadership Alumna EMPOWERING COMMUNITY LEADERS Leadership Rohnert Park In partnership with the City of Rohnert Park, we trained a cohort of engaged civic leaders to work together to elevate community voices across sectors, backgrounds, and neighborhoods. 95% increased their capacity to be a community leader and initiate positive change. “The values, tools, experiences, and friendships I gained here are invaluable. I walked in 95% increased 100% increased scared, voiceless and feeling understanding of key connections to their issues facing the city. fellow residents and alone. I walked out empowered. coworkers. Coro helped me find my voice.” — Tiffany Cazares, Leadership Rohnert Park Alumna Resilient San Francisco In partnership with the Neighborhood Empowerment Network, the Office of Resilience and Capital Planning, and the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, we launched a network of community leaders equipped to activate their neighborhoods and work together to create solutions for the common good. We created an online toolkit specifically designed to help community volunteers