By Noelle Darilek
Leadership Austin is a local nonprofit that strives to provide leadership training for those in the Austin area. The company helps those in the community to develop leadership skills, learn about issues affecting the Austin area and work with others to solve those issues. Leadership Austin has provided services to several successful businesspeople in the area looking to better their skills and strive towards success.
The Emerge Program allows those involved to better their leadership skills and meet classmates to help expand their influence and network. The program will help improve student’s personal and professional leadership style skills so that they may achieve greater success.
Leadership Austin has welcomed 55 individuals for the very selective 2016 Emerge Program. Their jobs range from those working for the City of Austin, to Frost Bank, HomeAway and of course, PeopleFund. Many more organizations are represented across all sectors.
A passion for empowering underserved populations is what brings Jadeline to PeopleFund. A former Development and Communications Intern in 2013, she returns to the organization in February 2016 to serve as the Communications and Operations Specialist. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Urban Studies from the University of Texas, where she cultivated her passion for social services and non-profit work. Prior to (re)joining the PeopleFund team, Jadeline explored Austin’s social service landscape as Projects Coordinator at a boutique non-profit consulting firm, and honed her development and communications skills at a start-up international development nonprofit.
PeopleFund
PeopleFund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established in 1994. It is a U.S. Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and SBA certified lender. PeopleFund provides business loans up to $350,000 to Texas businesses that do not qualify for bank loans. It also provides client business assistance and education. The target market is minority, women, and veteran business owners and those residing in low to moderate income census tracts. Over 40% of current loans are to startups and non-profit organizations. Through access to capital and educational opportunities, PeopleFund creates economic opportunity and financial stability for underserved people to build healthy small businesses. PeopleFund inspires, educates, funds, and elevates entrepreneurs on the path to prosperity and the American dream.
Leadership Austin
In 1979 Leadership Austin was founded—by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce (GACC)—with the mission of providing leadership training to those with a passion for Greater Austin. In 2002 they became a stand-alone 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, while sustaining close ties to the GACC. Today they continue to believe each Austin resident can engage in collaborative, inclusive, and sustainable leadership for the greater Austin community.
www.leadershipaustin.org